I shot this guy last Saturday using my 20 gauge Encore with Federal Premium Barne's Expanders. He went about 15 yards and collapsed. His heart was mush.

I planned to use a handgun, but due to circumstances, some my fault some not, I didn't get much time to hunt. Figures, it was a 45 yard broadside shot. He came from the timber to the beanfield chasing a Doe. Another Doe and a yearling kind of spooked him. So from the time I saw him until I pulled the trigger maybe 5 seconds elapsed.

Nice buck!

Nice buck!

I have a 20 gauge 870 set up for deer but haven't had an opportunity with it yet. I've been using the Remington Accutips but a friend recommended the Hornady SST. Looks like the Federal might be a good round to try as well.

Congratulations! Very nice buck!
My brother in-law used the exact same combo to take a very nice doe at 165 yards this fall. The 20g Federal Barnes load has worked well for us in a variety of guns and accounted for many deer. The encore works the best and will group them <2" at 100 yards.

Great buck no matter what you used! Congratulations!

Congratulations. I'm in the same boat as you. I don't really horn hunt, but fill the freezer. I use whatever means necessary for that. Didn't have enough time to shoot the wheel guns this year.

Great buck. Congrats!

Thanks all.

jcp161,

I used the 2.75" Remington Aero Tips the past 2 years. I get 1.5" groups at 100 yds with them. They always worked. The most accurate in my Encore were the 3" Winchester Dual Bonds. At 100 I got .75" groups, and 1.5" at 175 yards. But they seem to be out of production, and the 2.75" Dual Bonds weren't accurate in my gun. I just found the Federals this year. I used to shoot them in my Browning 12 gauge A-Bolt and they were great. The 3" in the 20 gauge give right at 1" at 100, and under 2" at 150 yards. This was the first deer I've taken with them, (20 ga), and I was impressed.

karl,

I have only shot these to 150 yards so far. They average just under 2 inches at that range. My Nikon 2x7 scope is dead on at 140 with the BDC reticle. I plan to shoot them out to 200 soon.

Sweet!! Nice buck. Congrats

Stud.

Grats!!!

Here is a better picture of his antlers

Such a great deer.

Thanks for the info on the sabots. Much appreciated.

I have my 870 set up with a peep sight but also purchased a cantilever barrel that has a 2x7 scope. The peep sight barrel will hold a 2 1/2" group from the bench at 100 yards with the Accutips but the cantilever barrel didn't seem to like those or the Hornady SST.

I'll definitely give the Federal rounds a try.

Real Nice Buck. Congratulations.

Damn nice buck

nice buck

Nice buck!!!!

Good work!