Brenneke slugs in a rifled barrel

[375er]

Has anyone used this combination and what was the accuracy like? I am debating putting this combo together and am wondering everyones opinion.

Thanks

 

[BeeMaa]

I will make the assumption that you mean rifled slugs that are Brenneke brand.

Rifled slugs are made to be used in a smoothbore shotgun barrel. Typical accuracy is about 2-3 MOA at 100 yards. Good for whitetail sized game if you have optics and have done your homework.

Sabot slugs are made to be used in a rifled shotgun barrel. My friend has this combo in a Savage 220 bolt action slug gun with a 1.5-5x20 Leupold and it's easily capable of taking deer out to 150 yards.

Using rifled slugs in a rifled barrel will yield good results for about four to nine shots. No appreciable difference to sabot/rifled barrel accuracy. Shoot more and accuracy will continue to degrade to the point of key-holing if you keep it up long enough. This is because the rifling of the barrel will foul with the relatively thin lead on the outer edges of the slug. This fills the rifling, reducing the spin and stability on the slug, causing the erratic accuracy.

That's not the worst part. Cleaning of the rifled barrel will be an exercise that you will not soon forget. Ask me how I know.

Best to use each kind of shell in the manner they were intended.

 

[DJStang]

I've used the Brenneke "Black Magic" rifled slugs in a SX3 rifled shotgun barrel for black bear hunting over bait. Distance was about 50 yards. In that application it worked just fine on my black bear.

The "Black Magic" slugs are hard anodized, so they aren't too bad with fouling the rifled barrel. But they do foul it eventually.

 

[CJW]

Just buy the sabot slugs. I have shot a few rifled slugs out of a rifled barrel. Sometimes it's like it was meant to be. Then one flys off 2 feet away. A good copper sabot for any game or even a BRI if just shooting at deer will be accurate every time.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I have used Brennke, Remington, and a couple of other brands of slugs in 2-3/4" and 3" in a Remington 11-87 rifled slug barrel with a Bushnell 3-9x scope zeroed at 50 yds using the 3" Remington 1 ounce slugs at 1887 fps.

The Brenneke slugs I used in both my 11-87 rifled barrel and 1100 smoothbore were 2-3/4", 7/8 ounce(?), at 1500+ (?) or 1600+ (?). Good accuracy. I opted for Remington with the higher velocity and heavier slug.

 

[Trogon]

I'm planning on using my Remington 870 with rifled choke tube on a 21" smooth bore barrel for Ontario black bear next year, this thread is helpful. I have a variety of lead slugs to try and more info available is always good. Typically used Remington Sluggers before the straightwall cartridge allowance in Ohio for deer.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I'm planning on using my Remington 870 with rifled choke tube on a 21" smooth bore barrel for Ontario black bear next year, this thread is helpful. I have a variety of lead slugs to try and more info available is always good. Typically used Remington Sluggers before the straightwall cartridge allowance in Ohio for deer.

+1. For deer hunting in Ohio and while stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Also used slugs, and buckshot in NC, produced by Winchester, Federal, and Remington as it was whatever was available on the shelf at the local mom and pop store, Kmart. Rose's, and LGSs for a spontaneous hunt opportunity.

 

[BeeMaa]

I'm planning on using my Remington 870 with rifled choke tube on a 21" smooth bore barrel for Ontario black bear next year, this thread is helpful. I have a variety of lead slugs to try and more info available is always good. Typically used Remington Sluggers before the straightwall cartridge allowance in Ohio for deer.

I'm never sure what to use in the case of a smoothbore with a rifled slug. I know there is a money difference between buying a choke and a rifled slug barrel, but it may not be what you think.

For less than $200 you can have a rifled barrel. Add a scope and mounts for about $300, and you have a 150 yard killing machine that you can convert back to be used for home defense, duck hunting...etc.

There is a huge difference in accuracy between a rifled barrel with sabot vs smoothbore with rifled slug. Rifled barrel wins nearly every time.

GB R870 12 Bore Rifled Barrel

GB R870 20 Bore Rifled Barrel

GB Leupold VX-Freedom

 

[Ridge Runner]

I'm never sure what to use in the case of a smoothbore with a rifled slug. I know there is a money difference between buying a choke and a rifled slug barrel, but it may not be what you think.

For less than $200 you can have a rifled barrel. Add a scope and mounts for about $300, and you have a 150 yard killing machine that you can convert back to be used for home defense, duck hunting...etc.

There is a huge difference in accuracy between a rifled barrel with sabot vs smoothbore with rifled slug. Rifled barrel wins nearly every time.

GB R870 12 Bore Rifled Barrel

GB R870 20 Bore Rifled Barrel

GB Leupold VX-Freedom

It was the American's rifled barrel (muskets) that gave the British fits back in the 1700's due to it's accuracy at longer ranges.

However, after the development of the cartridge gun, it became a situation of, (which still holds true today), depending on where one lives, the era of growing up, and mostly due to one's financials, the single and double barrel smoothbore shotguns are the multi-tool for hunting. Simply for the quick and easy switching out shells; slug loads for shotshell or vise versa.

With modern rifled slugs, and/or buckshot where legal, for deer, bear, boar, etc. in one pocket, another pocket containing shot shells of one's preferred choice, and legal, for small game and/or upland bird hunting, and perhaps a third pocket containing waterfowl shells, hunters can (or at least try to) go afield and bring home meat for the table.

The joys of owning the ultimate one gun, a double barrel shotgun.

 

[375er]

I'm planning on using my Remington 870 with rifled choke tube on a 21" smooth bore barrel for Ontario black bear next year, this thread is helpful. I have a variety of lead slugs to try and more info available is always good. Typically used Remington Sluggers before the straightwall cartridge allowance in Ohio for deer.

For performance and accuracy out of a smooth bore barrel, the Brennecke Green Lightning is tough to beat.

 

[Red Leg]

Rifled shotgun barrels are designed for sabot slugs. The ridges on the Brenneke design have zero to do with accuracy or spin and everything to do with providing expansion space for the lead regardless the choke of the barrel from which it was fired. They were created with the expectation that they would be fired from typically tightly choked German SxS's and drillings. It is why they do not blow the last four inches off the front of the barrel of a full choked gun.

I would never use one in any rifled barrel.

 

[BeeMaa]

Rifled shotgun barrels are designed for sabot slugs. The ridges on the Brenneke design have zero to do with accuracy or spin and everything to do with providing expansion space for the lead regardless the choke of the barrel from which it was fired. They were created with the expectation that they would be fired from typically tightly choked German SxS's and drillings. It is why they do not blow the last four inches off the front of the barrel of a full choked gun.

I would never use one in any rifled barrel.

I agree with you with a caveat. Brenneke could have made the ridges on their slugs straight to accomplish tight choke passage, but instead decided to give them a twist to enhance accuracy. In essence, killing two birds with one stone.

 

[Red Leg]

I agree with you with a caveat. Brenneke could have made the ridges on their slugs straight to accomplish tight choke passage, but instead decided to give them a twist to enhance accuracy. In essence, killing two birds with one stone.

That is simply not true. The slug does not spin. The Brenneke gains accuracy over the more common US Foster slug because the attached extended wad acts as a fin and causes the slug to fly like lawn dart. The molded rifling contributes nothing to that other than allowing safe passage through a choke.

An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Truth About Shotgun Slugs

Everything you wanted to know about shotgun slugs (but were afraid to ask).

www.shootingillustrated.com

 

[BeeMaa]

That is simply not true. The slug does not spin. The Brenneke gains accuracy over the more common US Foster slug because the attached extended wad acts as a fin and causes the slug to fly lawn dart. The molded rifling contributes nothing to that other than allowing safe passage through a choke.

An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Truth About Shotgun Slugs

Everything you wanted to know about shotgun slugs (but were afraid to ask).

www.shootingillustrated.com

Rifled slugs spin before leaving the barrel, then the extended wad takes over when it leaves.

https://youtu.be/EhpSQZ82i-s?si=ANe-X61dD_zeeREU

 

[Red Leg]

Rifled slugs spin before leaving the barrel, then the extended wad takes over when it leaves.

One quarter turn at whatever range they were firing? But yes, I and even the NRA stand corrected. Apparently the foster developed some spin within that particular barrel.

 

[Trogon]

I'm never sure what to use in the case of a smoothbore with a rifled slug. I know there is a money difference between buying a choke and a rifled slug barrel, but it may not be what you think.

For less than $200 you can have a rifled barrel. Add a scope and mounts for about $300, and you have a 150 yard killing machine that you can convert back to be used for home defense, duck hunting...etc.

There is a huge difference in accuracy between a rifled barrel with sabot vs smoothbore with rifled slug. Rifled barrel wins nearly every time.

GB R870 12 Bore Rifled Barrel

GB R870 20 Bore Rifled Barrel

GB Leupold VX-Freedom

Thanks @BeeMaa for sharing the links. I was interested in a cantilever barrel a couple years ago but they were difficult to source. My shotgun is the 870 Express no frills, believe I bought it the first year it was introduced, with a 21" turkey barrel. I had a Tasco side saddle mount on the receiver previously and now a receiver saddle mount with a picatinny/ weaver rail on it. It'll stay in this set up as I have other guns for wingshooting. I have plenty of options for woods hunting rifles or defense choices; right now for bear stand hunting over bait, it's this shotgun or a Ruger No. 1 in .45-70. Shots from stands, as I have been told are under 100 feet and mostly closer.
I've never been a huge fan of the Foster slugs, they worked where used, under 50 yards was a common shot. My Express model will shoot Remington Sluggers into a close group of 3 at 50 yards (I'll find out if still true at some point, could be my memory?). I'm interested in the Brenneke for the possibilities of slug integrity, as I have found the Fosters at times on very close broadside shots on deer to be very deformed, if recovered. I have never understood the need for a "hollow point" lead shotgun slug.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I’ve shot several deer with brenneke slugs out of a rifled barrel. The ammo box says for smooth or rifled barrels. I hunt in the thick with that gun and the brenneke slugs are well suited for the job, I often get pass throughs.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Sabot slugs will impart more accuracy out of a rifled barrel out to greater ranges.

 

[BeeMaa]

Thanks @BeeMaa for sharing the links. I was interested in a cantilever barrel a couple years ago but they were difficult to source. My shotgun is the 870 Express no frills, believe I bought it the first year it was introduced, with a 21" turkey barrel. I had a Tasco side saddle mount on the receiver previously and now a receiver saddle mount with a picatinny/ weaver rail on it. It'll stay in this set up as I have other guns for wingshooting. I have plenty of options for woods hunting rifles or defense choices; right now for bear stand hunting over bait, it's this shotgun or a Ruger No. 1 in .45-70. Shots from stands, as I have been told are under 100 feet and mostly closer.
I've never been a huge fan of the Foster slugs, they worked where used, under 50 yards was a common shot. My Express model will shoot Remington Sluggers into a close group of 3 at 50 yards (I'll find out if still true at some point, could be my memory?). I'm interested in the Brenneke for the possibilities of slug integrity, as I have found the Fosters at times on very close broadside shots on deer to be very deformed, if recovered. I have never understood the need for a "hollow point" lead shotgun slug.

I very much agree with @Hunter-Habib on this, rifled barrel plus sabot slugs will yield the best accuracy and range.

If you are using a shotgun and slugs on a regular basis, it might be worth the extra money to invest in a dedicated firearm. The Savage 220, low power Leupold scope and rings would make for a 150 yard killing machine and cost about $1K. I believe my friend is using 3" 275 grain Federal Trophy Copper Sabot Slugs and printing sub MOA groups at 100 yards.

GB Savage 220 Camo/Stainless

GB Leupold VX-Freedom

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

For performance and accuracy out of a smooth bore barrel, the Brennecke Green Lightning is tough to beat.

@375er
My old Mossberg maverick 12 bore bolt gun cuts clover leaf at 50 yards with S&B 3" magnum slugs and 2-3" groups at 100 with a red dot scope. Two inches high at 50 spot on at 75 and about 3-4" low at 100. Basically mimics the 22lr trajectory.
Bob