saintjb

Does anyone still make a bolt action slug gun? I have seen the Savage, but I don't like the feel of it. I have an old Mossberg 185D but it's a smooth bore and I want to move to a rifled barrel. Any help would be appreciated.
JB

WrackMaster

Mossberg still makes the 695, I think.

longrifle1000

The Mossberg 695 was discontinued last year or so ago. But you can find them quite easily, and they usually sell right around two hundred. Good guns, but it will require trigger work. Mine was 9 1/2 pounds before the smith worked on it. Their is also the discontinued Browning A Bolt, but they usually start around a grand or so. Their is also a bolt action from Tar-Hunt, but they start at over two grand. Good luck.

jcchartboy

Saintjb,

First off,this post really belongs in the "guns" section. Most of the more knowledgeable slug gun owners keep a closer eye on that forum. That being said. Here is my take.

Secondly,you said "make", to me that implies you are looking for a current production gun. The only two being currently produced are the Savage 210 (400$), and the custum Tar Hunts (2500$).(I'll assume that is out of your expected price range)

Therefore the discussion should be really be about what is available.

You have4 choices in modern dedicated slug guns. The Savage 210 (400$new), Mossberg 695 (300$used), Marlin Slugmaster (250$used), Browning A-bolt (1250$used),(I'll assume that is out of your price range as well).

So that now leaves us with three guns.

1)Marlin Slugmaster....least accurate, problems with shell feeding, etc. not really a good choice.

2)Mossberg 695....similar to the Savage. It is more cumbersome in the hand. (ifyou have a problem with the savage chances are you will not like the Mossberg).Mostly importantly, it has a huge detraction. It is ported. I think any serious slug hunter would be foolish to risk their hearing by shooting this gun without hearing protection. (Lets face it very few hunters wear hearing protecion in the field). For this reason alone I would never consider purchasing this gun.

3)Savage 210....Most accurate of the three, closest to a rifle in overall feel etc. My personal choice, and one of my two slug guns.(The other being an A-bolt).

Even if you don't like the feel,itmust be regarded as one of the best choices.

One other gun that should be considered when discussing dedicated slug guns is the H and R Ultra slug. Of course this is a single shot, and not a very practical field gun. However it is very accurate and may more useful for some specific hunting situations such as stand hunting.

Here is some other relevant info..

Rebel Hog

Tar-Hunt






Savage 210

Paul L Mohr

If I could have afforded it the savage slug gun would have went home with me instead of the H&R. Out of curiosity what didn't you like about it? I was pretty impressed with it myself. I have looked at other bolt action slug and shotguns in the past and didn't feel they were as nice as the savage I looked at recently.

I will agree as well, the H&Rs are a great slug gun for the money.

Paul

longrifle1000

Well said. After I shot my first doe with mine, my ears rang for nearly a week afterwards. And their is no way that porting can reduce recoil, it kicks like a mule. Even the 2 3/4" sabot slugs do. And the 3" ones shoot the best,isn't that the way it always works?[:@] But it is a shooter, once I got the trigger adjusted.

Paul L Mohr

My mossberg 500 was ported. I didn't think it was that loud. It was loud, but not like a high powered rifle with a brake. I think my new slug gun is just as loud to me, maybe because of the shorter barrel?

On my pump the porting didn't so much reduce recoil as it prevented muzzle flip. It did a pretty good job of that. I've never shot one of the bolt action slug guns by mossberg though.

And maybe I'm half deaf from working around jets and being in factories most of my adult life.

Paul

Rebel Hog

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In sum, the Browning A-Bolt slug gun delivered the best accuracy and shooter
ergonomics. Despite its high price tag, we recommend it. ...
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wis_bow_huntr

If you are looking for a bolt action shotgun and happen to have Scheels Sports Store near by, check out the line of quality used guns, I know Scheels in Eau Claire Wi carries a big line of quality used guns and have seen many bolt action shotguns there.