Can a 20 gauge slug kill a deer? Yes, and it does it with less recoil than a 12. That’s why 20 gauge slugs are a common pick for young hunters, smaller shooters and anyone who sits in a stand with a light gun. The key is picking the right slug for your barrel and keeping your shots inside the range you’ve practiced.
Below, our 20 gauge slug loads are split by barrel type: smooth bore or rifled. Each table uses the maker’s published velocity, and energy where the maker lists it.
What caliber is a 20 gauge slug?
A 20 gauge bore is about .62 inch across, so a full-bore rifled slug is often called a .62 caliber projectile. Sabot slugs are smaller. They ride in a plastic sleeve that grips the rifling and falls away at the muzzle.
How many grains is a 20 gauge slug?
Rifled slugs are sold by ounce weight. One ounce is 437.5 grains, so:
- 1/2 oz is about 219 grains
- 5/8 oz is about 273 grains
- 3/4 oz is about 328 grains
- 1 oz is about 437 grains
Sabot slugs are usually listed in grains. Ours run from 250 to 275 grains, with Remington’s AccuTip listed at 260.
20 gauge slugs for smooth-bore barrels
If your barrel has no rifling, choose a rifled (Foster-type) slug or a Brenneke-style slug with an attached wad. Both are made to fly straight without spin from the barrel.
The light Remington Slugger 1/2 oz lists 1,800 fps. Heavier slugs move slower: the Brenneke Green Lightning 1 oz lists 1,392 fps. The Federal Vital-Shok 3 inch hollow point lists 1,700 fps but needs a 3 inch chamber. Steel slugs like the DDupleks Devastator are lead-free, which matters in areas that restrict lead.
20 gauge slugs for rifled barrels
A fully rifled barrel or rifled choke tube spins a sabot slug like a rifle bullet. That spin is what gives sabots their accuracy edge.
| Load | Shell | Payload | Velocity | Energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady SST 250 Grain FTX Sabot, 2-3/4″ | 2-3/4 in. | 250 gr | 1,798 fps | 1,800 ft-lbs |
| Federal Freight Train Slugs 20 Gauge 3″ 275 Grain Lead-Free | 3 in. | 275 gr | 1,900 fps | 2,204 ft-lbs |
| Remington AccuTip 20 Gauge Sabot Slug 3″ 260 Grain | 3 in. | 260 grain | 1,900 fps | not listed |
| Federal Power-Shok 20 Gauge Sabot Slug 7/8 oz, 2-3/4″ | 2-3/4 in. | 7/8 oz | 1,450 fps | not listed |
| Browning BXD 20 Gauge Slug – Solid Copper Sabot, 2-3/4″ | 2-3/4 in. | — | 1,600 fps | not listed |
| Winchester Copper Impact 20 Gauge 3/4 oz Polymer Tip Sabot Slug, 2-3/4″ | 2-3/4 in. | 3/4 oz | 1,600 fps | not listed |
| Hornady Custom Lite 20 Gauge 250 Grain Polymer Tip Sabot Slug, 2-3/4″ | 2-3/4 in. | 250 gr | 1,600 fps | 1,421 ft-lbs |
| Barnes VOR-TX 250 Grain Polymer Tip Sabot, 3″ | 3 in. | 250 gr | 1,850 fps | 1,900 ft-lbs |
The Federal Freight Train 275 grain lists 2,204 ft-lbs at 1,900 fps, the highest listed energy among our 20 gauge sabot slugs. The Hornady SST 250 grain lists 1,800 ft-lbs at 1,798 fps. For a softer shot, the Hornady Custom Lite lists 1,421 ft-lbs at 1,600 fps. Two lead-free sabot options are the Browning BXD solid copper and the Winchester Copper Impact.
Will a 20 gauge slug kill a deer, or a bear?
For deer, yes. Hunters take whitetails with 20 gauge slugs every season. Good shot placement inside your practiced range matters more than the gauge.
Bear is a bigger question. A 20 gauge slug can kill a bear with good placement, but bears are tougher and the stakes are higher. Many bear hunters pick a 12 gauge or a rifle. If you use a 20, choose a hard, heavy slug, keep the range short and check that your state allows it. Hunting rules on slugs, gauges and game vary by state.
How far will a 20 gauge slug travel?
Much farther than your hunting range. A slug can carry dangerous energy well beyond the distance where it’s accurate. Always shoot with a safe backstop, never at a target on a skyline, and know where every round can land. Practice at the distances you plan to hunt and set your limit from your groups, not from the box.
Picking the right 20 gauge slug
- Smooth bore, budget practice: a 5/8 or 3/4 oz rifled slug in a 15-round box like the Remington Slugger 5/8 oz.
- Smooth bore, deer: a hollow point rifled slug or Brenneke.
- Rifled barrel, deer: a polymer-tipped sabot slug.
- Lead-free areas: copper sabots or steel slugs.
Zero your sights with the exact slug you’ll hunt with. Different slugs hit to different points of aim.
Shop 20 gauge slugs
Every load above is in our 20 gauge slug category. Using a bigger gun? Our 12 gauge slug guide covers rifled, sabot and attached-wad 12 gauge slugs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caliber is a 20 gauge slug?
A 20 gauge bore is about .62 inch, so a full-bore rifled 20 gauge slug is often described as a .62 caliber projectile. Sabot slugs are smaller in diameter because a plastic sleeve fills the space between the slug and the bore.
Will a 20 gauge slug kill a deer?
Yes. 20 gauge slugs take deer every season with good shot placement. Use a rifled or Brenneke-style slug in a smooth bore, or a sabot slug in a rifled barrel. Keep shots inside the range where you can group well, and check your state’s deer hunting rules.
Can a 20 gauge slug kill a bear?
It can with good shot placement, but bears are tough and the stakes are high. Many hunters choose a 12 gauge or a rifle for bear. If you use 20 gauge slugs, pick a hard, heavy slug, keep the range short and confirm your state allows it.
How many grains is a 20 gauge slug?
Rifled 20 gauge slugs are listed in ounces. A 1/2 oz slug is about 219 grains, 5/8 oz about 273 grains, 3/4 oz about 328 grains and 1 oz about 437 grains. Sabot slugs are listed in grains; ours run from 250 to 275 grains.
How far will a 20 gauge slug travel?
A 20 gauge slug can travel far beyond its accurate hunting range and still be dangerous. Always know your backstop and never shoot at a target on a ridge line. Set your hunting distance limit from your own groups at the range, not from the box.
