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#4 on this list
870 Fully Rifled Deer
Remington
A rifled cantilever barrel on the most common pump in America. Cheap to build, easy to fix.
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#5 on this list
500 Slugster
Mossberg
Tang safety and a rifled bore. The budget slug gun that has taken more deer than most rifles.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | 870 Fully Rifled Deer | 500 Slugster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| Manufacturer | — | Mossberg |
| Model | — | 500 Slugster |
| Action | — | Pump-Action |
| Safety | — | Ambidextrous Tang |
| Barrel | — | Rifled |
| Purpose | — | Deer Hunting |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
870 Fully Rifled Deer
- 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
- 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
500 Slugster
- Excellent accuracy with sabot slugs due to rifled bore
- Time-tested reliability of the Mossberg 500 platform
- Intuitive and ambidextrous tang safety
- Durable, weather-resistant synthetic furniture
- Affordable, offering great value for a dedicated slug gun
- Rifled barrel limits versatility for other shotgun applications
- Can be heavy, especially with optics mounted
- Recoil can be stout with heavy slug loads
- Basic fit and finish, not a premium aesthetic
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