Best Deer Slug Guns · #4
870 Fully Rifled Deer
Remington
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A rifled cantilever barrel on the most common pump in America. Cheap to build, easy to fix.
Pros
- Exceptional reliability in all weather conditions
- Excellent accuracy with quality sabot slugs for its class
- Vast aftermarket support and readily available parts
- Durable all-steel receiver construction for longevity
- Widely recognized and easy to service by any gunsmith
Cons
- Substantial recoil with heavy 12-gauge slug loads
- Heavier than many dedicated hunting rifles
- Trigger pull can be inconsistent on some factory models
- Not ideal for long-range shooting beyond 200 yards
Best uses
- Deer hunting in shotgun-only zones
- Stand hunting in dense woods
- Hunting medium game at 50-150 yards
- Budget-conscious slug gun setup
Specifications
- Action Type
- Pump-Action
- Barrel Type
- Fully Rifled, Cantilever Mount
- Gauge
- 12 Gauge (most common), 20 Gauge
- Primary Use
- Deer Hunting (Slug)
- Construction
- Steel receiver, synthetic/wood stock
- Origin
- United States
Pricing
We don't publish a price we haven't verified. The retailer links below open the live listing for this exact model.
Best for
Deer hunting in shotgun-only zones, Stand hunting in dense woods, Hunting medium game at 50-150 yards, Budget-conscious slug gun setup
Where to buy the 870 Fully Rifled Deer
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The Remington 870 Fully Rifled Deer variant takes the ubiquitous and battle-tested 870 platform and adapts it specifically for deer hunting with slugs. This isn't a fancy, high-tech piece of gear; it's a workhorse. What you get is a standard 870 receiver, which has been in production for decades, paired with a heavy, fully rifled barrel, often featuring a cantilever scope mount. This setup is designed to maximize the accuracy potential of modern sabot slugs, transforming a scattergun into a surprisingly capable medium-range deer rifle. It foregoes frills for function, focusing on reliability and slug performance, making it a pragmatic choice for hunters who prioritize effectiveness and durability over aesthetics or intricate features. Its widespread availability means parts are everywhere, and gunsmiths familiar with the platform are not hard to find, ensuring it can be maintained and repaired for generations of use. This particular configuration shines in areas where shotgun-only hunting regulations are in place, providing a significant advantage in accuracy over smoothbore options. While it won't compete with dedicated centerfire rifles for long-range precision, within its effective slug range – typically out to 150-200 yards with good ammunition and optics – it performs admirably. The inherent simplicity of the pump-action design means fewer things to go wrong in the field, and its robust construction can withstand harsh weather and rough handling. It's an honest tool for a specific job, and it does that job well, leveraging the strengths of a proven design with a specialized barrel for enhanced performance.
Real-World Performance
In the field, this shotgun is a steady performer. With quality sabot slugs and a properly sighted scope, 3-inch groups at 100 yards are achievable, sometimes even better depending on the ammunition pairing. The heavy rifled barrel aids in consistent accuracy by imparting spin on the slug, stabilizing its flight. Recoil is substantial with 12-gauge magnum slugs, so good recoil pads or shooting technique are important for comfort and follow-up shots. The pump action is familiar to countless shooters, offering reliable cycling even in adverse conditions. We've seen these guns shrug off rain, mud, and cold without a hiccup. Its performance is predictable and dependable, which is exactly what you want when a deer steps out.
Materials and Construction
The core of this shotgun is the classic 870 receiver, typically machined from a solid billet of steel. This contributes significantly to its renowned durability and ability to withstand heavy use. Barrels are carbon steel, blued for corrosion resistance. Stock and fore-end materials vary, with synthetic options being common for hunting models due to their weather resistance and lighter weight compared to traditional wood. The cantilever scope mount, usually integrated into the barrel or securely attached, provides a stable platform for optics, ensuring they hold zero even after repeated heavy recoil. Everything about its construction points to robust longevity and simple, effective manufacturing.
Weight and Packability
This isn't a lightweight mountain rifle. A typical 12-gauge model with a heavy rifled barrel and scope will weigh in the 7.5 to 9-pound range. This weight helps absorb recoil but makes it less ideal for long treks over rugged terrain. Packability is standard for a full-size shotgun; it's not designed for breakdown or ultralight carry. For stand hunting or still hunting in areas with established trails, the weight is manageable. If you're busting brush or climbing steep grades all day, you'll feel it. It's a tool for a specific purpose, and that purpose generally doesn't involve extreme backpacking.
Durability and Maintenance
Durability is a cornerstone of the 870 platform. These shotguns are known to run for tens of thousands of rounds with minimal issues, requiring little more than routine cleaning and lubrication. The heavy-duty steel receiver and robust action components are designed to last. The blued finish on older models can show wear, but the underlying steel remains sound. Synthetic stocks are virtually impervious to weather. Maintenance is straightforward, with a simple field strip process that any owner can learn. Parts are readily available, and the design is so common that finding a gunsmith for more complex repairs is rarely an issue, making it a truly long-term investment.
Comparable Alternatives
At a similar price point, competitors like the Mossberg 500/590 series also offer fully rifled slug barrel options, often with similar cantilever mounts. These are similarly reliable pump actions with strong aftermarket support. Another alternative could be a Savage 220 (20-gauge) or 212 (12-gauge) bolt-action slug gun, which typically offer superior accuracy due to their bolt-action design and dedicated rifle platforms, but at a higher cost. The 870's main advantage at its price point is the sheer ubiquity of the platform, meaning accessory options and repair resources are virtually unlimited, often surpassing what's available for some of its direct competitors.
How we chose
We started with a long list of best deer slug guns that people actually buy, cut anything that could not clear our baseline for durability and field performance, then ranked the 10 that were left against the same criteria. Rankings are editorial. No brand pays for placement, and affiliate links never move a pick up or down.
- Real-world durability
- How the material, stitching, or steel holds up after a season of hard use — not how it looks new.
- Performance in bad conditions
- Wind, rain, cold, and grit are the test. Anything that only works on a nice day gets marked down.
- Weight and packability
- Every ounce has to earn its place in the pack, but not at the cost of something that fails in the field.
- Ease of use
- Setup, adjustment, and maintenance with cold hands, in the dark, without the manual.
- Value at its price point
- Compared against the closest competitors in the same tier, not against cheaper gear in a different class.
- Repairability and support
- Field-fixable design, available parts, and a warranty the maker actually honors.
870 Fully Rifled Deer — frequently asked questions
- Is the 870 Fully Rifled Deer worth it?
- We rank it #4 in Best Deer Slug Guns. A rifled cantilever barrel on the most common pump in America. Cheap to build, easy to fix.
- What is the 870 Fully Rifled Deer best for?
- Best for deer hunting in shotgun-only zones, stand hunting in dense woods, hunting medium game at 50-150 yards and budget-conscious slug gun setup. Standouts: exceptional reliability in all weather conditions and excellent accuracy with quality sabot slugs for its class.
- What are the downsides of the 870 Fully Rifled Deer?
- Substantial recoil with heavy 12-gauge slug loads, Heavier than many dedicated hunting rifles and Trigger pull can be inconsistent on some factory models.
- What are the key specs of the 870 Fully Rifled Deer?
- Action Type: Pump-Action · Barrel Type: Fully Rifled, Cantilever Mount · Gauge: 12 Gauge (most common), 20 Gauge · Primary Use: Deer Hunting (Slug) · Construction: Steel receiver, synthetic/wood stock
- Real-World Performance — what should I know about the 870 Fully Rifled Deer?
- In the field, this shotgun is a steady performer. With quality sabot slugs and a properly sighted scope, 3-inch groups at 100 yards are achievable, sometimes even better depending on the ammunition pairing.
- Materials and Construction — what should I know about the 870 Fully Rifled Deer?
- The core of this shotgun is the classic 870 receiver, typically machined from a solid billet of steel. This contributes significantly to its renowned durability and ability to withstand heavy use.
Compare side by side
Put the 870 Fully Rifled Deer against any other pick on this list — specs, price, pros, cons and reader ratings.