Slug Gun or Handgun for Deer

[JoeH]

Long story short, I thought that I wouldn't be deer hunting this year. Then last night a friend called and invited me to hunt with his group. Yea!

The only problem is that they are in a Slug Zone and I do not have a rifled shotgun. I usually hunt deer with a rifle.

I'd rather not buy a firearm (handgun or slug gun) on short notice that I may not have a need for again. If I did, I'd most likely by an 870 Express deer gun.

Looking at my current inventory, my best options are my BPS 20 ga or my Beretta AL390 12 ga. However, both of these are smooth bore with a bead sight. I'd be a lot happier with a rifled barrel and rifle sights.

Only one of my handguns is a legal caliber and that one is a snubby.

What should I do? A new barrel for one of my shotguns is as much or more than the 870 Express. I'd like to have a .44 Mag but like to do my research, shop around, and shoot the gun a little before hunting. I have no time for this.

PS. I did use my 20 ga. once for deer. I "harvested" one at <50 yards. But I'm just not super comfortable with that bead sight.

Any ideas/suggestions would be great.

[Thor]

Joe, I use both. I carry a 10MM semi-auto and my 12 Ga Super X2, with a rifled slug barrel. I haven't taken any deer with my handgun because the couple of shots I have had since I got my permit have been tricky, at best. I also have a Winchester 120 with a slug barrel (non-rifled, I think) that's killed a couple of deer. One guy I hunt with has a 44 Mag that he used for hunting. He had a scope on it. He never took any deer with it, though. (Slim pickings where I hunt)

[JFettig]

You can use those rifled slugs through a bird barrel.
I'm still debating whether or not I'll go slug hunting this year. I was hoping to have my goofy AR pistol(not in .223) done to use, that didn't happen. I think it would be a blast to get a 6"+ .357 or larger to go deer hunting with.


Jon

[ttousi]

Forget the snubby unless they are 10 ft away. Use the bird barrel shotgun and add a $20-40 red dot. Cheaper than a new gun (course there is a lot to be said for the new gun idea.)

Shot plenty of deer thru bird barrels over the years........most with bead only

.02

[Squib Joe]

For a lot less than the price of a Browning or Beretta barrel, you could get a single shot H&R Topper slug gun with a scope. I think I might even have a used one for under 125 bucks.

Nothing pretty but it'll get the job done.

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotguns/ultraSlug.aspx

[hammAR]

Joe, you are welcome to use mine (see WTS - Combo Shotgun), as I definitely won't..............
you never know, after slaying, er harvesting, a herd you may want to make me an offer too....

[JoeH]

Thanks for the great ideas and suggestions.

Wow Thanks to 1911Fan, Thor, and HammAR for your generous offers.

HammAR, PM sent.

[hammAR]

PM was received, acknowledged, and response sent.........

[JoeH]

That sounds fun.

One of the guys in our group takes a lot of Deer with a 454.

HammAR, generous as always, was kind enough to borrow me his Rem 1100 20ga red dot. I took two Does. One of those was at full running speed about 100 yds out.