Shotgun Slugs Are Accurate to 200 Yards — Here's the Data
The Short Answer
A standard 12-gauge Foster slug produces approximately 2,363 ft-lbs of muzzle energy — roughly 2.5× the energy of a .44 Magnum. From a smoothbore, Foster slugs group 3–6 inches at 50 yards and are effective to about 75 yards. From a rifled barrel, sabot slugs produce sub-2-inch groups at 100 yards and remain effective to 200 yards with over 1,100 ft-lbs of energy at that distance.
The Energy Numbers
Most people dramatically underestimate shotgun slug performance. Here's how the numbers stack up:
| Load | Muzzle Velocity | Muzzle Energy | 200-Yard Energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz Foster slug | ~1,560 fps | ~2,363 ft-lbs | ~800 ft-lbs |
| Hornady SST 300gr sabot | ~2,000 fps | ~2,644 ft-lbs | ~1,198 ft-lbs |
| .44 Magnum 240gr (6" revolver) | ~1,350 fps | ~900–1,000 ft-lbs | ~400 ft-lbs |
| .308 Win 150gr | ~2,820 fps | ~2,648 ft-lbs | ~1,800 ft-lbs |
At 200 yards, the Hornady SST sabot slug still carries 1,198 ft-lbs — more than a .44 Magnum at point-blank range. That's adequate for any North American game animal at that distance.
Foster Slug vs Sabot Slug
Foster Slugs (Smoothbore)
Foster slugs are solid lead projectiles with hollow bases that swage down to fit any bore diameter. They're designed for smoothbore barrels and require no special equipment. Accuracy is limited by the lack of spin stabilization — expect 3–6 inch groups at 50 yards and effective accuracy to about 75 yards. Beyond that, the slug begins to tumble and accuracy degrades rapidly.
Never fire Foster slugs through a rifled barrel. The soft lead contacts the rifling and deposits lead fouling that is extremely difficult to remove and degrades accuracy with subsequent shots.
Sabot Slugs (Rifled Barrel)
Sabot slugs use a smaller-diameter projectile enclosed in a plastic sabot (shoe) that engages the rifling and spins the slug. After leaving the muzzle, the sabot falls away and the aerodynamic slug flies stabilized. From a rifled barrel, sabot slugs produce sub-2-inch groups at 100 yards and remain effective to 200 yards. Some premium loads (Hornady SST, Federal Trophy Copper) shoot sub-MOA from quality rifled barrels.
Never fire sabot slugs through a smoothbore. Without rifling to engage the sabot, the slug exits without spin stabilization and accuracy is terrible — worse than a Foster slug from the same barrel.
The Slug Gun as a Hunting Platform
In states that restrict rifle hunting (much of the Midwest and East Coast for deer), slug guns are the primary big-game tool. A Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 with a rifled slug barrel and a scope is a legitimate 150–200 yard deer gun that hits harder at 100 yards than most handgun cartridges hit at the muzzle.
The tradeoff is trajectory. A Foster slug drops roughly 12–15 inches at 100 yards compared to 2–3 inches for a .308. Sabot slugs are flatter but still drop significantly compared to rifle cartridges. Slug shooting past 100 yards requires knowing your holdover or dialing your scope.
The Bottom Line
Shotgun slugs are serious projectiles. A 12-gauge slug delivers more energy than most rifle cartridges at close range, and modern sabot slugs extend effective accuracy to 200 yards. If you hunt in a shotgun-only state or want a versatile home defense / hunting platform, a slug gun with a rifled barrel is far more capable than most people realize.
Find the Best Ammo Deals
Compare cost-per-round across top retailers. Updated daily.
Browse All Guides →