drilled and tapped shotguns?

I hunt in a shotgun only state for deer hunting and for the last few years I have just used regular iron rifle sights. I definitely want to upgrade to the best deer sluggun and scope available. I want the most solid, dependable and idiot proof equipment out there. I have heard of vibration from cantaliever style barrels and the side plate mounts just don't seem like they would be dependable. I need help on two things.

1.) What is the best way to mount your scope to your shotgun?    Are there shotguns out there that are drilled and tapped for a scope? Or is the vibration in the cantaliever not enough to even worry about? Or are the sideplates more dependable than my 'gut feeling' on them?

2.) As far as a scope goes, I want something with plenty of eye relief, lets in plenty of light for low light shooting conditions and can withstand the recoil from 3'in sabot slugs. I have been thinking the leupold 4x32 is the scope for the job, but I just wish I could get something with a bigger objective lens. Any suggestions?

thanks for any help

The sideplate mounting systems work just fine, except for the ones made of aluminum. If you leave them on for a few years, they will eventually deface the steel reciever of your shotgun by galvanic corrosion. I think the cantilever is better and the vibration theory is insignificant for your needs.  A Benchrest competitor shooting half-inch groups at 300 yards with a 6mmPPC may have a problem with such a mounting system, but not a pumpkin launcher used for hunting.

I have tried several set ups and what I am finally happy with is Encore 12 ga pro hunter with an aimpoint 9000L  2moa scope  -  note there is a special base that has to be used from Weaver and while the holes line up with the regular weaver base the screws will punch through into the barrel  -  TC replaced mine.  What I have found is a cantilever set up on a barrel does not have adequate support - push down on the scope and watch it move about 4 ft at 100 - not good, and mount the scope to the reciever of an 870 and the barrel is seperate so take it off to clean it and since the scope is not attached to the barrel the set up is no longer on sight. there are a couple of guns out there that have the barrel drilled and tapped  H&R  single shot slug guns and Mossberg bolt action slug gun.  Note also most shotgun states will allow 50 cal muzzleloader and the TC Encore and Omega are quite accurate eaven at 200 yds if you run a cleaning patch down the barrel after each shot.

Urimaginaryfrnd wrote: I have tried several set ups and what I am finally happy with is Encore 12 ga pro hunter with an aimpoint 9000L  2moa scope  -  note there is a special base that has to be used from Weaver and while the holes line up with the regular weaver base the screws will punch through into the barrel  -  TC replaced mine.  What I have found is a cantilever set up on a barrel does not have adequate support - push down on the scope and watch it move about 4 ft at 100 - not good, and mount the scope to the reciever of an 870 and the barrel is seperate so take it off to clean it and since the scope is not attached to the barrel the set up is no longer on sight. there are a couple of guns out there that have the barrel drilled and tapped  H&R  single shot slug guns and Mossberg bolt action slug gun.  Note also most shotgun states will allow 50 cal muzzleloader and the TC Encore and Omega are quite accurate eaven at 200 yds if you run a cleaning patch down the barrel after each shot. http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotguns/ultraSlug.aspx

I have really struggled with the slug gun issue since Iowa is slug gun country. I started with a 870 rifled barrel with rifle sights  and bought a cantilever barrel and I have a 20 ga Mossberg with rifled barrel with rifle sights all of which throw a entirely unacceptable group at 100 yds. I also have an encore Pro hunter 12 ga rifled slug barrel with the special weaver mount (note the first one I put the same mount on that works on all other Encore Barrels and the screws poked through into the interior of the barrel - replaced by TC.) That Encore system works very reliably and gives about a 2 1/2 inch group but only with 400 gr Win Sabbots ---- put Federal sabbots in and they hit 18 inches higher .  Having the barrel drilled and tapped does make a difference but that can only be done with a thick barrel and most shotguns dont have a very thick barrel. Having the mount attach to a reciever and the barrel be a second detachable part is asking for trouble but it depends on how much accuracy you need, I want 200 yds.

You may wish to check out a 12 ga 11-87, Hastings 24" cantilever barrel, any quality low power variable, Brenekke Gold or Federal Barnes slugs will shoot 3 into 3" at 100 yards. If you want to shoot farther you're gonna need a good rangefiner and trajectory table taped to the stock. The key is the scope and barrel as one unit as shotgun barrels don't screw in like a rifle. That is one of the reasons the Contendor/Encore system is so accurate.
My last whitetail was in Buck's Co. PA, Browning Bolt action fully rifled 12 bore bought when you couldn't give them away (now a cult item), Leupold 2.5X PCH, Brenekee Golds, 110 paces.

Larry, I have to say I hate Hillary, but some of her faces are priceless. Great avatar.

varix3 wrote: You may wish to check out a 12 ga 11-87, Hastings 24" cantilever barrel, any quality low power variable, Brenekke Gold or Federal Barnes slugs will shoot 3 into 3" at 100 yards. If you want to shoot farther you're gonna need a good rangefiner and trajectory table taped to the stock. The key is the scope and barrel as one unit as shotgun barrels don't screw in like a rifle. That is one of the reasons the Contendor/Encore system is so accurate. My last whitetail was in Buck's Co. PA, Browning Bolt action fully rifled 12 bore bought when you couldn't give them away (now a cult item), Leupold 2.5X PCH, Brenekee Golds, 110 paces.

which one?

Too bad about the A-Bolt, outstanding gun. The Tar-Hunt is also a fine bolt shotgun and priced so.

The Encore is a good choice as is the H&R on a tight budget.

Could also try Savage's 210 -  I understand they shoot well. I have a Mossy 695 and it shoots surprsingly well for the investment  ( 2" at 100 ). 

Edited by martin3175 - January/13/2008 at 10:09