Rifleman Q&A: Slugs For Rifled And Smooth Bores

by
posted on October 17, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
shotgun slugs

Q. I recently acquired a used Mossberg 835 shotgun in 12 gauge. The 24" barrel is rifled, ported and has a 3.5" chamber. The owner’s manual says not to shoot rifled slugs in this barrel, only sabot slugs. Why is that?


A. The conventional lead “rifled slug” was developed for use in smoothbore shotguns—the European Brenneke in the late 19th century and then the American Foster style in the mid-1930s. The “ribbing” on the projectile is not rifling but a means to allow the slug to be drawn down to pass through various degrees of choke as found on upland and waterfowl shotguns. The ballistic effect upon being fired is essentially a knuckleball, so accuracy can be difficult to predict, although some report adequate results.

The development of rifled shotgun barrels and sabot-design projectiles went hand in hand—neither is of much use without the other. I believe Remington was the first in the marketplace. Projectiles with a sabot are for use in rifled barrels. “Rifled slugs” are for use in smoothbores and are inappropriate in rifled barrels, as they are undersize and do not properly engage the rifling, hence the reports of leading and other fouling.

Now for the confusing part. The Mossberg 835 was introduced with several innovations, one being its “over-bore” 12-ga. barrel for bird shooting. Instead of the standard 12-ga. (0.729") bore diameter, it features a 10-ga. (0.775") smooth bore. The use of “rifled slugs” down this barrel, however, results in very unimpressive performance. The warning to not use rifled slugs applies to the smoothbore-version barrels. To cover all its bases, Mossberg offers a rifled barrel for installation on the 835, of standard bore dimensions, appropriate for use with sabot projectiles. Apparently, this is the barrel you possess, and you would be wise to utilize only sabot-design ammunition through it.

Latest

springfield armory kuna
springfield armory kuna

Springfield Kuna: A PDW For The Masses

Small, yet fierce, the namesake of Springfield Armory’s latest large-format pistol is a revered forest dweller in the land of its Croatian manufacturing partner, HS Produkt. The new Kuna is poised to be just as welcome in America.

The Armed Citizen® June 30, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Book Review: Clockwork Basilisk: The Early Revolvers Of Elisha Collier & Artemas Wheeler

The result of a decade of research, Clockwork Basilisk is a comprehensive, two-volume history of the rare revolvers that preceded the development of the well-known Colt guns of the 1830s.

Preview: 1791 Gunleather Cobra Gun Belt 01

Employing the same rugged and rigid 0.25"-thick American steerhide as 1791 Gunleather’s original Gun Belt 01, the new Cobra Gun Belt 01 offers enhanced ease of use by taking advantage of a high-strength Cobra quick-latch/release buckle.

NRA CEO Hamlin and President Bachenberg Hold First Virtual Townhall

In the interests of transparency, NRA CEO and EVP Doug Hamlin and NRA President Bill Bachenberg held a live Townhall event, where both answered direct questions from NRA members.

Benelli Adds New 28-Gauge Models to Super Black Eagle 3 Line

Benelli initially introduced the 28-ga. chambering to its Super Black Eagle 3 line in 2022, but this year, the company added three new models tailored specifically to hunters.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.