So today I went to the range to sight in my new 18.5" M500 barrel with Rifle Sights. The barrel got Vang Comped due to it's primary use as HD with Buckshot.
This was all done at 50 yards with the first shots being Federal Low Recoil Slugs. First shot was right on, 2nd 4" high 1" to right, 3rd shot dead on elevation 5" to the right. Not exactly what I was looking for! This was supposed to be my baseline load, but it sucked.
But I concluded the sights were close enough and didn't need adjustment. These sights aren't the best open sights I've used and will require further attention to get to where they can yield a repeatable sight alignment/picture.
Then I fired 3 Lyman Sabot Slugs. These were loaded with 20 gr of Green Dot, Claybuster Blue Wad .070 card under the slug and Roll Crimped. Nice looking rounds in reloaded Fed Blue Hulls. 1 actually hit the target, the other 2 are some place in the Sespe National Forrest. Useless! I guess we'll try fold crimps next time.
Next up was BPI AQ Slugs. 23 gr Unique new Rio Hulls Roll Crimped. 1 shot near the bullseye, two shots touching on the upper right corner. Almost useless.
Next was 1 1/8 oz BPI Thug Slugs 23 gr Unique, new Black Rio Hulls Roll Crimped. 3 in a line across the lower portion of the target, 2 shots key holed. 1 wad separated and hit the target. Not impressed at all.
Last was STI Slugs with Lead Inserts. 23 gr of Unique and Reloaded in O/F Clear Rio Hulls. 2 touching 1 3" to the right. These actually shot pretty well and I'll alibi the 3rd shot to poor sight alignment.
Forgot to shoot some Lee slugs which were in the box but I just missed them. Maybe next time.
None of these were that impressive, and I have shot better with my 20" M500 with Vang Comped Barrel OFFHAND!
Given that both the BPI slugs are supposed to be OK with smoothbore. I was not impressed, maybe they will do better from a Rifled Barrel, which I will try soon. Otherwise I see no use for them, which is a shame because they do look like a well thought out and executed product..
But once again the STI Slugs showed they are the best and shoot well even in a smoothbore. In the rifled barrel they are golden!
I'll go back and shoot all these loads thru the A5 with both barrels and see what happens.
I'd show the targets but they are embarrassing!
Randy