Depending on where you live, there are two commonly accepted types of guns for hunting big game. The first is a hunting rifle. A high-powered rifle can be effective at distances of hundreds of yards, and is the preferred choice for long range hunters.
Slug guns are the preferred method in more populated areas, because while a shotgun slug packs an incredible amount of punch, it loses velocity quickly, and isn’t effective much further than 100 yards. The advantage? You won’t accidentally shoot your neighbors!
To help you find the best piece possible, we’ve searched for the best slug gun available online. Whether you’re looking for an advanced semi auto slug gun with all the bells and whistles or a simple, barebones 12 gauge slug gun for backyard hunting, we’ve found a gun that’s right up your alley. And for all you bargain hunters, we’ve looked for the best deals as well.
15 Best Slug Guns
The Henry Lever Shotgun is designed like Henry’s classic lever-action rifle, with a .410 bore.
Key Features
- .410 bore
- 5-round tube magazine
- Lever action
- 24-inch threaded barrel
- Weighs 7.54 pounds
- Wood stock and fore grip
- Front and rear bead sights
- Comes equipped with a full choke
The Henry Lever Shotgun is an excellent choice for bringing down mid-sized game like deer, coyotes, and wild hogs. It’s not ideal for very large game like grizzlies, but for most game, it’s just fine. The end of the barrel is threaded, and comes equipped with a full choke. The choke makes the Henry ideal for turkey shooting, but you’ll need to remove it to load up with slugs.
The lever action is easy to work, and makes a satisfying click when the slug is chambered. Moreover, the front and rear beads make the Henry easy to aim. All in all, you’re looking at a solid small-bore slug gun.
Pros
- Classic design
- Also useful for varmint shooting
- Ammo is relatively affordable
Cons
- Choke needs to be removed before use
- Not suitable for big game
If you like Henry’s classic repeater, you’ll also like their lever shotgun.
The Benelli Ethos is a premium semi-automatic shotgun with a 12-gauge bore.
Key Features
- 12-gauge bore
- 4-round tube magazine
- Inertia-driven semi-automatic action
- 26-inch smooth barrel
- Weighs 6.6 pounds
- Satin walnut stock and fore grip
- Front and rear bead sights
The Benelli Ethos is designed for hunters who want a lot of power in a lightweight package. Although the barrel is smooth, not rifled, the 26-inch length is long enough to ensure good accuracy. Moreover, there are both front and rear bead sights to allow for easy aim. And even if your first shot misses, your follow-up shot will already be chambered and ready to go.
The Ethos weighs only 6.6 pounds, which makes it easy to carry out in the field. It’s also attractive to look at. The satin walnut stock and fore grip are easy on the eyes, with a rubberized butt pad for recoil reduction, and a contoured grip for better ergonomics. That said, you’ll pay a bit of a premium for this top-tier shotgun.
Pros
- Powerful and accurate
- Lightweight
- Allows for easy follow-up shots
Cons
- Expensive
The Ethos’ semi-automatic action allows for rapid follow-up shots if your first was off target.
The Benelli M2 Field has the same semi-automatic action as the Ethos, but with polymer construction instead of wood.
Key Features
- 12-gauge bore
- 3 or 4-round tube magazine
- Inertia-driven semi-automatic action
- 21, 24, or 28-inch smooth barrel
- Weighs 7.2 pounds (in 28-inch variant)
- Black polymer stock and fore grip
- Front and rear bead sights
If you want a reliable semi-automatic shotgun, but you don’t want to pay the high price of the Ethos, the Benelli M2 Field is an excellent choice. It’s polymer instead of wood, which significantly reduces the price tag. On the other hand, it also means you’re going to have more recoil.
There are three different barrel options available for the M2 Field. Keep in mind, though, that it has a smooth bore. To get the most accuracy in the field, you’re going to want the 28-inch option. Front and rear bead sights make aiming easy, and a semi-automatic action means you’ll get easy follow-up shots.
Pros
- Plenty of power
- Allows for easy follow-up shots
- Multiple barrel lengths available
Cons
- Relatively high recoil
The M2 Field offers most of the benefit of the Ethos, without the high price tag.
The Stoeger M3500 is a semi-auto shotgun that’s suitable both for slugs and bird shooting.
Key Features
- 12-gauge bore
- 4-round tube magazine
- Inertia-driven semi-automatic action
- 28-inch smooth barrel
- Weighs 7.8 pounds
- Polymer stock and fore grip
- Fiber optic front bead sight
- Three different camo skin options
The Stoeger M3500 is designed to provide a significant amount of power at a reasonable price. For a fraction of the cost of most semi-auto shotguns, you get a well-built machine. To be fair, it’s a bit on the heavy side, so you’ll need a good sling to take it out in the field.
The M3500 has a smooth bore, but at 28 inches, the barrel is long enough to allow for good accuracy. It comes ready for any kind of choke, so you can also use it for bird hunting if you want a multi-purpose gun. And the polymer stock and fore grip are available in black or camo.
Pros
- Powerful and accurate
- Also suitable for turkey and duck hunting
- Affordable
Cons
- A little bit heavy
The M3500 is one of the most affordable semi-automatic shotguns on the market.
The Franchi Affinity 3.5 Elite is another semi-auto shotgun with an inertia-driven mechanism.
Key Features
- 12-gauge bore
- 4-round tube magazine
- Inertia-driven semi-automatic action
- 28-inch smooth barrel
- Weighs 7 pounds
- Synthetic stock and fore grip
- Front and rear fiber optic bead sights
- Available with a burnt bronze or cobalt finish
The Franchi Affinity 3.5 Elite is a semi-auto shotgun with a 28-inch smooth barrel. The stock and fore grip are constructed from a synthetic polymer, which helps keep the weight down. That said, it also doesn’t absorb recoil as well as a wood stock. The stock, fore grip, and metal parts all come with a matching finish, either burnt bronze or blue cobalt.
This shotgun is designed with low-light shooting in mind. The front and rear bead sights are fiber optic, which allows for easy visibility in almost any conditions. This makes it easy to start shooting the moment it’s light enough to be legal in your state.
Pros
- Powerful and accurate
- Allows for easy follow-up shots
- Great for low-light shooting
Cons
- Relatively high recoil
The Affinity 3.5 Elite is attractive, powerful, and easy to operate.
The Benelli M2 is a powerful 12-gauge slug gun with a semi-automatic action.
Key Features
- 12-gauge bore
- 3 or 4-round tube magazine
- Inertia-driven semi-automatic action
- 24, 26, or 28-inch smooth barrel
- Weighs 7 pounds (in 28-inch variant)
- Black polymer stock and fore grip
- Front and rear bead sights
- Available with a mossy oak camo wrap
The Benelli M2 is a well-engineered semi-automatic shotgun. It can be purchased with either a 24, 26, or 28-inch barrel. Since it’s a smooth bore, you’ll get the best slug accuracy with the 28-inch variant. The stock and fore grip are polymer, which allows for light weight, although it does mean you’re going to experience significant recoil. Then again, that’s to be expected from a 12-gauge.
That said, the M2 is fairly accurate. It has front and rear bead sights that are somewhat larger than average. This makes it easy to line up shots quickly. And if you do happen to miss, you’ll always be able to take a quick follow-up shot.
Pros
- Easy to aim and shoot
- Excellent follow-up shot performance
- Available with different barrel lengths and magazine sizes
Cons
- Relatively high recoil
Whether as a slug gun or a bird gun, the M2 is an excellent choice.
The Winchester SX3 Black Field is primarily designed as a bird gun, but can easily be used for slugs.
Key Features
- 20-gauge bore
- 4-round tube magazine
- Semi automatic gas-operated action
- 26-inch smooth barrel
- Weighs 6.25 pounds
- Turkish walnut stock and fore grip
- Front bead sight
The Winchester SX3 Black Field is a mid-sized shotgun with a 20-gauge bore. It doesn’t pack quite as much punch as a 12-gauge, but it’s still powerful enough to bring down just about any game in the field. And the 20-gauge chambering, combined with a gas-powered action, provides significantly less recoil than a 12-gauge.
The SX3 Black Field features beautiful Turkish walnut furniture. Not only is it easy on the eyes, but it also has an ergonomic design. You won’t have any issues holding or shouldering it. Unfortunately, there’s no rear sight. This makes it a bit harder to aim. But after a bit of range time, you shouldn’t have any issues lining up an accurate shot.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Low-recoil gas-powered action
- Ergonomic grip
Cons
- No rear sight
If you want a semi-auto shotgun with limited recoil, you’re looking at a solid choice.
The ATI Nomad is a simple, break-action shotgun that’s great for beginners, or for experienced hunters seeking a bigger challenge.
Key Features
- .410, 20, or 12-gauge bore
- Single-shot design
- Break action
- 26 or 28-inch smooth barrel
- Black polymer stock and fore grip
- Front and rear bead sights
The ATI Nomad is a bit different from the other slug guns on our list. While most of our choices are semi-automatic, the Nomad has an old-school break action. This means it only holds a single round, so you won’t have any opportunity for follow-up shots. But many hunters enjoy the increased challenge of needing to get things right the first time. If that’s the kind of experience you’re looking for, the Nomad will be right up your alley.
This shotgun is also an excellent choice for beginners. Simply put, it’s one of the most affordable shotguns on the market. So if you’re looking for a starter gun for a child, niece, or nephew, you’ve found one.
Pros
- Challenging single-shot design
- Multiple gauges available
- Very affordable
Cons
- Only holds a single slug
If you want a break-action slug gun, the ATI Nomad is an ideal choice.
The Franchi Intensity is a powerful slug gun that also comes with three chokes for bird hunting.
Key Features
- 12-gauge bore
- 4-round tube magazine
- Gas-operated semi-automatic action
- 28-inch smooth barrel
- Weighs 7 pounds
- Polymer stock and fore grip
- Fiber optic front and rear bead sights
- Comes with three chokes
The Franchi Intensity is a low-recoil, gas-operated slug gun that’s chambered in 12-gauge. Now, “low-recoil” is a relative term, and we should point out that it still has some kick. Still, it doesn’t kick as hard as most 12-gauges on the market. It weighs 7 pounds, which isn’t terribly heavy. However, a lot of that weight is towards the front, which can make it hard for some people to use.
That said, once you’ve shouldered the Intensity, you won’t have any trouble aiming. With fiber optic sights, you’ll be able to easily line up a shot under just about any lighting conditions.
Pros
- Powerful and accurate
- Excellent low-light performance
- Also suitable for bird hunting
Cons
- Relatively front-heavy
If you want your slug gun to double as a bird gun, you’re looking at an excellent choice.
The Henry Sidegate is similar to their basic lever shotgun, but it loads from the side instead of from the bottom.
Key Features
- .410 bore
- 5-round tube magazine
- Lever action
- 8-inch smooth barrel
- Weighs 7.09 pounds
- American walnut stock and fore grip
- Adjustable front and rear sights
- Unique side-loading design
Earlier in this list, we reviewed the Henry Lever Shotgun, which is based on the design of their classic lever-action repeater. The Henry Sidegate is virtually identical, with two exceptions. The first is that it loads from the side, not the bottom. This makes it easier to reload quickly and efficiently, both in the field and on the range.
The second difference is that the Sidegate comes with adjustable sights. This makes it easier to dial in, since you can adjust your sighting for different loads. This means you can have dead accurate sighting, whether you’re shooting slugs or shot.
Pros
- Easy to load
- Relatively compact
- Can also double as a varmint gun
Cons
- Not suitable for hunting very big game
This is a great choice for the range, since it’s easier to load than most shotguns.
The SRM Arms M1228 is a monster shotgun that has an incredible 28-round capacity.
Key Features
- 12-gauge bore
- 28-round removable rotary magazine
- Gas-powered semi-automatic action
- 5-inch smooth barrel
- Weighs 7.75 pounds
- Polymer stock, pistol grip, and fore grip
Slug guns aren’t just useful for hunting; they can also be used for home defense. In that arena, the SRM Arms M1228 is in a class of its own. It features a gas-powered semi-automatic action, and an impressive 28-round magazine, so you can sling a lot of lead in no time flat.
Admittedly, it’s not perfect. It can only be loaded with mini shells, so it doesn’t have the same range as a standard 12-gauge. That said, this isn’t a concern in close-range situations such as home defense. And with a short barrel and pistol grip, it’s easy to shoulder and maneuver in close quarters.
Pros
- Excellent choice for home defense
- Very large capacity
- Easy to shoulder and aim
- Compact size
Cons
- Not accurate at long range
- Expensive
If you’re looking for a slug gun for home defense, the M1228 is one of the best on the market.
The Benelli Super Black Eagle III is a camouflage shotgun that’s equally well-suited for shooting deer, fowl, or small game.
Key Features
- 12 gauge bore
- 3-round tube magazine
- 28-inch smoothbore barrel
- Weighs 7 pounds
- Polymer stock and fore grip
- Fiber-optic red bar front sight with metal bead rear sight
- Full Realtree Max-5 camo wrap
- Includes 5 chokes
The Benelli Super Black Eagle III shotgun is designed as a bird gun, but is also well-suited for slinging slugs. The barrel isn’t rifled, but at 28 inches long it’s going to be plenty accurate at any reasonable range for slug hunting. Factor in the fact that the iron sights are high-visibility and pinpoint accurate, and you’ve got a solid shotgun for just about any purpose.
This shotgun is built for cold weather use. Large grooves in the fore grip make it easy to hold and rack even while you’re wearing gloves, and the large trigger guard accommodates gloved fingers with ease.
Pros
- Great choice for a hybrid gun
- Designed to be used with gloves on
- Quality built-in sights
Cons
- Barrel is not rifled
- Expensive
If you’re looking for a good cold weather gun, this is a solid choice.
13. Remington 870 Express
The Remington 870 Express is primarily designed as a tactical shotgun, but its light weight makes it ideal for carrying out in the field.
Key Features
- 12 gauge bore
- 6-round tube magazine
- Pump action
- 18-inch smoothbore barrel
- Weighs 5.75 pounds
- Black polymer stock and fore grip
- Beaded front sight
- Large variety of aftermarket parts
The Remington 870 Express is a black polymer shotgun with a short, 18-inch barrel. While this barrel isn’t rifled, it’s still accurate enough to be effective under most circumstances. Even better, it weighs less than six pounds, less than any other shotgun on our list.
But we didn’t pick the 870 Express just because it’s light. To begin with, it’s compact enough to be a good home defense gun, adding value to the package. But more importantly, the Remington 870 is the most popular line of 12 gauge shotguns in the world. So if you’re looking to upgrade to a rifled barrel later on, or switch to a wood stock, or change out to a smoother trigger, there are dozens of OEM options available.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to customize
- Affordable
Cons
- Barrel is not rifled
If you value a lightweight gun that’s easy to climb into a tree stand with, this is a good selection.
14. Remington 870 SPS
The Remington 870 SPS is a short slug gun that combines the ergonomics of an AR-style grip with the flair of a cutout grip.
Key Features
- 12 gauge bore
- 4-round tube magazine
- Pump action
- 20-inch smoothbore barrel
- Weighs 7.25 pounds
- Polymer cutout stock and fore grip
- Front bead sight
- Extra heavy 1-inch diameter barrel
- Built-in 1X scope
- Large variety of aftermarket parts
- Full Mossy Oak Break Up-Skin
The Remington 870 SPS is a 12 gauge pump action shotgun that’s designed primarily for snap shooting. It has a cutout handle, but it’s essentially an AR-style frame with a slim connecting portion at the bottom of the handle. On top, you’ll find a basic 1X optical scope with a large aperture that’s designed for maximum eye relief.
These features make snap shooting a breeze, so you’ll never again miss that buck just because you were half a second too late bringing your gun to bear. And like every Remington 870 shotgun, you’ll find plenty of aftermarket parts, so you can customize it to your heart’s content.
Pros
- Ergonomic design
- Easy to customize
Cons
- Barrel is not rifled
If you want an ergonomic shotgun that’s as easy to manage as an AR, you’ll do well with the 870 SPS.
The Mossberg 590A1 Retrograde is primarily a skeet shooting rifle, but its large magazine also makes it a good choice for just about any other purpose.
Key Features
- 12 gauge bore
- 8-round tube magazine
- Pump action
- 20-inch smoothbore barrel
- Weighs 7.25 pounds
- Walnut stock and furniture
- Front and rear ghost ring sights
- Parkerized barrel finish
The Mossberg 590A1 Retrograde is a modern sporting shotgun with a charming, old-school appearance. The walnut stock, parkerized barrel and exposed hammer all lend this gun a classic appearance, without getting in the way of function.
Ghost ring sights at the receiver and muzzle make target acquisition quick and easy. And the 8-round magazine is ideal for skeet shooting, since you can pop more clays in a row without the need to reload. Of course, those ghost sights can also come in handy for deer hunting, especially if you’re stalking and need to get on target quickly.
Pros
- Large magazine capacity
- Accurate ghost ring sights
- Great choice for skeet shooting
Cons
- Barrel is not rifled
This shotgun is ideal if you’re primarily looking for a skeet gun, but also want to have the option of deer hunting.
Bottom Line
So what makes a good slug gun, as opposed to just a good shotgun?
Primarily, the difference is in the barrel. A standard shotgun barrel is a smoothbore, since a smoothbore is cheap to manufacture and is all you need for shooting buckshot or birdshot. A slug gun barrel, on the other hand, should ideally be rifled to provide more accuracy.
Another thing you’ll need to be careful of is the choke. Many slug guns don’t have one at all, but you may be using a hybrid gun that’s also designed for hunting birds or small game. If that’s the case, make sure to switch to a full cylinder choke before you load up with slugs; any other type of choke will lead to a blown-out choke at best, or an exploded barrel at worst.
Check out all the other gun articles put together by our expert team here at https://thegunsafes.net/;
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- https://thegunsafes.net/best-bear-gun-for-self-defense/
- https://thegunsafes.net/best-bolt-action-rifle/
- https://thegunsafes.net/best-shotguns-for-home-defense/
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- https://thegunsafes.net/best-pellet-pistol/
- https://thegunsafes.net/the-best-lever-action-rifle/
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The Review
Best Slug Gun
We've reviewed the best slug gun on the market today to help you find the most suitable gun for your hunting needs.
Review Breakdown
- Benelli Super Black Eagle III
- Remington 870 Express
- Savage Model 212
- Savage Model 220
- Remington 11-87 Sportsman
- Mossberg 500 Slugster
- Browning BPS Deer Hunter
- Winchester SX3 Cantilever Buck
- Remington 870 SPS
- Weatherby PA-08 Upland Combo
- Savage Model 212 Slug Gun
- Mossberg 590A1 Retrograde
- Mossberg 88 Security
- Benelli Vinci 12/26
- Stoeger M3000
Best Slug Gun DEALS
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