Rifled Slugs, Smooth-bore shotgun, what choke?

[idsman75]

I have an Ithaca Model 37 outfitted with their "Turkey Retro Kit". It's basically a camo gun with fiber-optic front and rear sights. I was thinking about running some slugs through the gun because I've never used slugs in a smoothbore shotgun before.

What choke tube does one use?

I figured it would be a good Sunday afternoon endeavor. Heck, I got one deer so far this year. If it groups well then I may get a shotgun season tag.

 

[GunnerJon]

My best advice would be to put in an improved cylinder choke tube and get some rifled slugs (I have had good results with both Remington and Winchester both in 20 and 12 gauge) and see how it shoots.

 

[Liv4Rut]

hey idsman congrats on your deer i read about in a earlier post, if i was you and i was going shotgun hunting i would just use your muzzleloader, to me they are way more accurate at farther distances, dont get me wrong some of those guns do shoot out far very consistently, but when i shotgun i always use the muzzleloader works much better, granted you only got one shot!! goodluck whatever you decide, like the previous reply if you use a shotgun, improved cylinder rifled slugs!!

 

[150 Class]

I agree with the above posts. Improved cylinder for the shotgun but the muzzleloader would be even better and congratulations on your success.

I hate to burst the bubble. If you went early season muzzleloader, unless you have a landowner tag, I don't think there are any other gun tag options for you for this year other than one antlerless and one statewide any deer for the early muzzleloader season and up to 3 late season antlerless bonus tags. Shotgun or late muzzleloader are not an option.

 

[idsman75]

150 class--I didn't even realize that. I bought one Any Deer tag and one Guthrie County Antlerless tag for the Early Muzzleloader season. I've been living (and hunting deer for the first time) in Iowa now for three years. I guess it was an oversight.

The shotgun option was just an afterthought. I've been curious about how my gun would pattern rifled slugs. They had a sale on Federal 12-gauge 2 3/4" rifled slugs so I bought three boxes just to see how they would group.

I got the Turkey Retro Kit for my Ithaca 37 this year and the turkey barrel has fiber optic front and rear sights. I figured I'd throw in the appropriate choke tube and check out how they pattern since the sights are pretty nice on this gun. I'm not sure whether or not the barrel is over-bored though. I believe that would have a negative effect on patterning.

Honestly, I guess I'm more curious about rifled slugs and my gun in particular and less concerned about getting another deer this year.

 

[ironwood]

I think GunnerJon is right on the money. Don't spend any money on rifled choke tubes. Sounds like an enjoyable Sunday afternoon. Let us know what your results are.

 

[deadeye]

Mod with no rifled slugs. Just plain old cheap Remingtons. Of course I only went shotgun hunting a couple years. Musket for me now.