Shotgun Slug Accuracy Testing

The shotgun slug enjoys an enviable reputation for its effect on targets. The problem is accuracy. Many shotgun and slug combinations are little, if any, more accurate than a quality handgun at 50 yards. The shotgun is much easier to use well, however, and most shooters are able to coax accuracy from a shotgun easier than a handgun. While there are exceptions, we wanted to look at accuracy with shotguns slightly upgraded over the typical defense shotgun. We found plenty of power, but effective accuracy is only adequate for most uses. Just the same, adequate is pretty good when it comes to slug accuracy versus what most shooters are able to achieve with a handgun, and slugs are effective far past the range at which buckshot has lost its pattern and efficiency. 

For this test, we used two shotguns, the first being an Ithaca Deerslayer with a smooth barrel and a tight chamber, Ithaca tells us. These shotguns are legendary field guns and are not terribly expensive, if you are lucky enough to find one used. The second shotgun was the Toros Copolla T4 self-loading shotgun, whose barrel is drilled for Mobil-type choke tubes. We made certain the shotgun was fitted with the Cylinder choke-tube option. A tight choke compresses the soft lead slug and causes inaccuracy. We added a TruGlo 30 Hunter 1-4x24mm riflescope to the Toros Copolla shotgun. This combination gave us greater hopes for long-range accuracy.

Our research indicates that a typical Foster-type 1-ounce slug loses more than half of its energy and penetration at 100 yards. We thought that 50 yards would be a reasonable distance at which to test slug accuracy. We have tested shogun slugs in the past and found that the load, choke, and sights have so many variations that slug accuracy is unpredictable. This time, we would leave the firing range with a good idea of the level of accuracy that may be expected. We used an MTM K Zone shooting rest on a bench for stability. Our accuracy groups consisted of three shots fired as carefully as possible. 

We learned some things about slugs as the raters took turns firing. If you do not grasp the shotgun tightly and keep it pressed into the shoulder, accuracy will suffer. Also, recoil will be harsher if you do not grasp the shotgun tightly. Use the proper technique of leaning into the shotgun as the fore end is pressed back toward the shoulder as well. The Ithaca isn’t a hard kicker for a pump-action shotgun. Just the same, recoil was more noticeable than with the self-loading shotgun. With the Toros shotgun, the semi-auto action soaks up some recoil. 

Also, we verified something that didn’t surprise us: The scope increased accuracy potential. The increase isn’t always reflected in our results when firing from the bench rest compared to the iron-sighted Ithaca. We found the real advantage to be in practical offhand fire. The scope-mounted shotgun was much easier to hit with in offhand firing.

But in the end, we had some groups as small as 3 inches for three shots at 50 yards, making the shotgun more accurate than we first thought. This is a viable choice for emergency use and occasional substitute rifle shooting. A shotgun firing slugs certainly isn’t as accurate as most rifles, but it will serve. For hunting deer in the brush, either of these slug guns would a good choice. Our most experienced hunter notes that deer hit broadside with a 12-gauge slug simply crumple. As for personal defense, any of the slugs would do the business at close range. All will cloverleaf on a target at 15 yards. 

We do wish to point out that the smoothbore shotguns tested here won’t compare to shotguns with rifled barrels and specialty sabot slugs. Rifled shotgun barrels firing appropriate slugs are a test for another day. 

In the text following, we list the results for the Ithaca and Toros shotguns back to back, with the Ithaca being first, both in accuracy listings (4.0/5.0 inch for example), or 1200/1205 fps for muzzle velocities.

Federal TruBall Rifled Slug 2¾-in. 438-grain PB127 RS 

This slug features a polymer ball in the base of the slug to expand the base and grip the barrel for greater accuracy. Factory velocity was slated at 1600 fps; our observed velocities were 1344 fps and 1359 fps. Accuracy was the least impressive of any of the slugs, with a 5-inch group in the Ithaca and a 4-inch group in the Toros. This would make a 100-yard shot on a deer iffy. The powder burn was noticeably clean. Price is about $8/5, or $1.60 a shot. We need better accuracy to recommend it. 

Gun Tests Grade: D 

Winchester Super X Rifled Slug 2¾-in. 1-oz. X12RS15 

Despite being a 2.75-inch shell rated at 1600 fps at the muzzle, this load was only slightly faster for us at 1360/1370 fps than the Federal TruBall offering and only slightly more accurate, with a 4.6-inch three-shot group out of the Ithaca and an identical 4.0-inch average group in the Toros. Powder burn was surprisingly clean. Price is about $7.40/5, or $1.48 a shot. This one also underwhelmed us with its accuracy. There are better choices, we believe.

Gun Tests Grade: D

Remington Slugger Managed-Recoil Rifled Slug 2¾-in. 1-oz. RR12RSB 

While Remington also makes a full-power slug, the reduced-recoil Slugger is an interesting option. At 1210/1220 fps over our chronograph, this slug was among the mildest to fire, along with the Fiocchi Low Recoil and the Sterling. The powder burn is clean. The Remington load was almost the most accurate, within 0.1 inch of the Fiocchi 12SLUG load. We feel that the Remington reduced-recoil Slugger is easily the best choice for personal defense for those who prefer a slug over buckshot. For game use, however, the other loads are significantly more powerful. Remember also that if you fire a reduced-recoil slug, at 50 yards drop is more significant than with full-power loads. It sells for about $5/5, or $1 a round. For hunting, we rated the Remington down a grade based on its power compared to the other loads. For home defense, it’s a good choice. 

Gun Tests Grade: B (HUNTING)

Gun Tests Grade: A (defense)

Fiocchi Exacta Aero-Slug Low Recoil 2¾-in. 1-oz. 12LRSLUG 

Fiocchi’s reduced-power slug generates even less velocity (1100/1087 fps) and less energy than the Remington Slugger, but we found it no easier to handle. Recoil simply isn’t an issue. This is another load well suited to defense. The blunt profile may be superior to some other slugs in effect on target; however, the softer slugs, such as the standard Foster, tend to break up on the target. This is an accurate load (4.0/3.25 inch) that offers a good option for home defense. It sells for $14.79/10, or $1.48 per shot. Like the Remington Slugger, we rated it down a grade based on hunting power, but we also like it for home defense.  

Gun Tests Grade: B (HUNTING)

Gun Tests Grade: A (defense)

Fiocchi Exacta Aero-Slug 2¾-in. 7⁄8-oz. 12LESLUG

This lighter load got 1312/1333 fps in our guns. Recoil is there, but in the Toros self-loader, recoil was more manageable. The Fiocchi slug was quite accurate, sailing into 3.75/3.5-inch groups at 50 yards. With a combination of power and accuracy, this is a formidable combination. This is the load we would use for deer hunting. It runs $16/10, or $1.60 a round. While the full-power 1-ounce Fiocchi load is stronger, this load is easier to control. For personal defense, it is unnecessarily powerful. 

Gun Tests Grade: A (HUNTING)

Gun Tests Grade: B (DEFENSE)

 Fiocchi Exacta Aero Slug 2¾-in. 1-oz. 12SLUG

This slug showed impressive power. Rated at a factory speed of 1560 fps, we got 1434/1460 fps. The Toros took the recoil in stride. We surmised that it simply bled off more gas into the Benelli-clone gas system. Just the same, you knew you were firing something different. The Ithaca was brutal firing from the benchrest, less so from standing. This slug was the most accurate slug tested, despite the raters being punished by recoil. This sells for $14/10, or $1.40 a round. We find this an estimable hunting load and easily the most powerful choice in the test. You do not need this recoil for personal defense, especially if you are using a lightweight riot gun, as an example.  

Gun Tests Grade: A (HUNTING)

Gun Tests Grade: B (DEFENSE)

Sterling Big Game 2¾-in. 1-oz. Rifled Slug

The design of this slug appears similar to the Brenneke and Fiocchi Aero type slugs. Availability is anyone’s guess, but the price was attractive at $9.59/10, or 96 cents a round at the time of our test. The slugs are rated in online ammunition sites at 1312 fps. The actual velocity in the Ithaca was exactly 1200 fps average and 1211 fps for the Toros. These shotshells were the only ones that we may call dirty. There was considerable powder residue on the gun parts after firing, and each time the slug went off, a cloud of smoke issued forth as well. Just the same, they were accurate enough at 3.7 inches in the Ithaca and 3.6 inches in the Toros. We rated them down a grade on power for hunting and another half grade on the powder residue, and we would choose others for home defense uses.

Gun Tests Grade: C 

Winchester Elite Defender 12 Gauge Segmented Slug 2¾-in. 1-oz. S12PDX1S

Shotgun slugs usually break up in the body and trail a piece or two of lead behind them in the case of the old-style soft-lead slugs. The Fiocchi Aero types cut a hole due to the blunt nose. The premise of the PDX slug is that the segments separate into three parts after meeting the target. The PDX slug is the most powerful load tested. Rated at 1600 fps by the factory, it may just do that in a 28-inch-barrel shotgun. Fired in the Ithaca Deerslayer, the PDX load clocked 1463 fps and 1505 fps in the Toros. Recoil is punishing. Accuracy was okay at 4.0/3/6 inches. They are also pricey at $22/10, or $2.20 apiece. If you absolutely must stop something fast and for certain, we feel this is a formidable combination. Accuracy is in the middle of the loads tested. 

Gun Tests Grade: A (HUNTING)

Gun Tests Grade: B (DEFENSE)

 Hornady American Whitetail 2¾-in. 1-oz. Rifled Slug 86234

This is a strong load and is rated for 1600 fps by the factory, which translates to 2484 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. In the Ithaca, it went out at 1444 fps, and 1491 fps in the Toros. Accuracy was pretty good, too, at 3.7/3.65 inch. The American Whitetail was just slightly behind the Winchester Segmented and Fiocchi’s heavy load in velocity. It is the only load that shot about the same in either shotgun, only a half-inch different, something we did not expect. Still, since neither are rifled-barrel guns, this is not out of the question that such things would be common. It sells for $9.59/5, or $1.92 a round. This is a stout loading that will serve well for deer hunting. Like the others suitable for hunting, it’s too much for defense use. But it’s marketed for hunting, so it’s hard to pick on it for that. 

Gun Tests Grade: B (DEFENSE)

Gun Tests Grade: A (HUNTING)

Written and photographed by Bob Campbell, using evaluations from Gun Tests Team members. GT