Top Slug Guns

You’ve seen the commercials where the guy liked the product so much, he bought the company. Well, I don’t have anywhere near enough cash to buy anything big, much less a company, but after a corporate outing where I got the chance to shoot a Winchester SX3 slug gun, I knew one thing: I had to have that gun. So I bought it. The gas-operated semi-auto SX3, like many dedicated slug guns today, has a cantilever scope mount affixed to the 22-inch rifled barrel. The receiver is made of aluminum alloy and the stock is a rugged composite with Dura-Touch Armor coating to help it withstand the elements and require minimal care. Additional features include an Inflex Technology recoil pad; nickel-plated bolt, slide and carrier and TruGlo fiber-optic front sight. While my model has a matte-black finish, the SX3 slug gun can now be had in Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity. ($1,269, Winchesterguns.com)

When it first came out, every deer hunter relegated to a shotgun where I lived wanted a new 11-87. That sentiment still rings true for the most part, though more guys are opting for the venerable model’s synthetic deer slug gun configuration more so than its smoothbored cousin. Available in both 12- and 20-gauge, the semi-auto 11-87 features a 21-inch rifled barrel, solid steel receiver and tough synthetic camo finish. The gun weighs in at 8 ½ pounds and has an overall length of 41 inches. A cantilever mount allows for quick and easy mounting of optics. ($892, Remington.com)

Mossberg shotguns are among the most proven firearms in the hands of our nation’s military, and they have found an equally prominent role in the lives of American sportsmen and sportswomen with their workhorse reputations and exceptional price point. The pump-action 835 Slugster accommodates everthing from 2¾-inch to canister-like 3½-inch shells. The construction and materials of the bolt, receiver and other components are designed to handle the heavy recoil of the heavier shells. The fully rifled and fluted barrel is 24 inches long and gives the gun an overall length of 41 inches. The gun tips the scales at 7¾ pounds and is available in Realtree AP or Mossy Oak Break-Up camo. Both front and rear fiber-optic rifle-type sights come standard, and the receiver is drilled and tapped for the mounting of rings and a scope. The 12-gauge features Mossberg’s Lighting Pump Action fully adjustable trigger for more precise shooting comfort and accuracy. ($595, Mossberg.com)

Recoil can be brutal on the working parts of a shotgun, and for that reason, heavy, break-action single-shots have long provided the standard for accuracy in the slug gunning world. And the one name synonymous with accurate, reliable break-opens is H&R 1871. But because of their weight, these guns have largely been considered by those who shoot them as “stand” guns. These gun are not something to be toted on a lengthy spot-and-stalk mission. However, the company’s Ultra Light Slug Hunter defies that reputation, still delivering supreme accuracy, but coming in at an almost ridiculously light 5½ pounds. Available in both 12- and 20-gauge, the Ultra Light Slug Hunter delivers tight groups via the 24-inch barrel’s Ultragon Rifling, which employs six oval lands and grooves instead of the sharper-edged more traditional rifling. The theory is that the Ultragon Rifling puts the proper spin on the slug without distorting today’s commonly fired sabot jackets or the exterior of standard slugs. This leads to a better gas seal, higher velocities and more consistent slug flight. Aiding a tight aiming lock-up is a pistol grip stock with a Monte Carlo comb. The stock is made of American hardwood with a walnut finish. A thick recoil pad helps soften the inevitable recoil of a lightweight, single-shot design. This is the most affordable slug gun anyone can buy. ($189, HR1871.com)

When you think of slug guns, most won’t think of Savage or a sturdy bolt-action design, but this venerable firearms company known for its superb rifles offers just that in its Model 220 Camo. Available in 20 gauge, the 220 Camo has a 22-inch carbon-steel, rifled barrel with a 1:24 twist; Savage’s AccuTrigger and a synthetic stock with a matte-camo finish. The receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mounts, and the box magazine holds two shells offering reliable accuracy similar to a break-action gun, while still allowing for a quick follow-up shot when needed. It’s the best of both worlds. The 220 weighs 7½ pounds and has an overall length of 44¾ inches. Available in a standard 220 configuration minus the camo and the 212 is for those hunters looking for a 12-gauge. ($588, Savagearms.com)