Rifleman Q&A: Loads For A Deerslayer

by
posted on October 15, 2024
1951-vintage Ithaca Model 37 Featherlight 20-ga. pump-action shotgunn left-side view drawing
Photo courtesy of American Rifleman archives.

Q. I have a classic, 1951-vintage Ithaca Model 37 Featherlight 20-ga. pump-action shotgun with a 2 3/4" chamber and a 2 3⁄8"-chambered smoothbore Deerslayer barrel for use with slugs. Are there factory 2 3/4" buckshot loads that have shot sizes larger than No. 3?


A. Please be aware that your Ithaca Model 37’s Deerslayer barrel is made to shoot only Foster-style rifled slugs, not sabot-style slugs. Sabots are made exclusively for use in barrels with cut rifling, not a smooth bore. Of the various smoothbore slug barrels, Ithaca Deerslayers are considered to be one of the very best in terms of accuracy.

Regarding buckshot, there are loads available with pellets larger than No. 3—from smallest to largest these include No. 1, 0 and 00. Of those, the 00 loads are the most prevalent. However, of all the pellet sizes, 00s are the most unreliable as far as pattern density is concerned, so it is best to use them at short ranges only. Because of their downrange characteristics, manufacturers recommend using buckshot only with full-choked barrels.

Latest

American Rifleman text on image of Walther P99 AS Final Edition pistol green black gun right-side view shown on shooting range indoors held up by a black wire stand
American Rifleman text on image of Walther P99 AS Final Edition pistol green black gun right-side view shown on shooting range indoors held up by a black wire stand

Rifleman Review: Walther Arms P99 AS Final Edition

Walther Arms celebrated its groundbreaking P99 polymer-pistol design with the P99 AS Final Edition before discontinuing the design.

New For 2025: Savage Arms Stance XR

Going into 2025, Savage Arms has announced a few major updates to its Stance micro-compact handgun design.

Vincent Hancock: Most Decorated Men’s Skeet Olympian In History

American men’s skeet competitor Vincent Hancock made waves at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as the first Olympic shooter to win four gold medals in the same individual event.

Review: Riton 5 Primal 15-45X 60 mm

The 5 Primal spotting scope is a compact, angled-viewing optic designed to be as condensed as possible.

HK Launches HK USA

Heckler & Koch announced it has launched HK USA, an expansion of its design, production and support facilities in the United States to better serve American enthusiasts.

Wringing Out The KelTec SUB2000 GEN3 Folding PCC

With a rotating fore-end assembly, Kellgren's latest SUB2000 positively advances the design yet retains the classic appeal of the brand's legendary pistol-caliber carbine.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.