Reading all the 45-70 and 35 Whelan data I’m realizing my 12ga sort of meets the 45-70 within 200 yards. I’ve shot a few deer with 1oz rifled slugs within the 100 yard mark but I had to step up to the 300 and 385gr sabot rounds to actually confidently hit and kill deer within 200 yards with it and have taken one at 225 steps and consider that to be the limit for the FTX poly tipped rounds which slow to about 1300-1400 fps at that range. I didn’t go slug gun to extend into primitive though, rather to hunt with family out of state where it’s shotgun only. I’ve accumulated a few good slug guns over the years and they’ve all done well for me. Amazingly, I’ve never had to send a follow up shot
I’m not sure what can actually be considered primitive at this point as far as the type of rifle vs the actual round. Is a lever action 35 Welen considered primitive? Or does it have to be a single shot?
Primitive or not, a 12ga slug gun can be a decent deer gun, as long as you have a variety of loads.
I’m not sure what can actually be considered primitive at this point as far as the type of rifle vs the actual round. Is a lever action 35 Welen considered primitive? Or does it have to be a single shot?
Primitive or not, a 12ga slug gun can be a decent deer gun, as long as you have a variety of loads.