FAQ
Q: Do the Hastings 20 gauge 2 ¾" and 3" sabot slugs shoot as well out of a 3 ½" chamber as they do out of a 3" chamber?
A: It has been determined after shooting countless rounds that there is no discernible difference in accuracy from the
3 ½" 20 gauge chamber as compared to the 3" 20 gauge chamber when using Hastings sabot slugs.
Q: I have a 20 gauge heavy barreled H&R Ultra Slug gun. Where can I get it re-chambered for the 3 ½"?
A: For re-chambering service of heavy barrel H&R Ultra Slug guns only at this time, contact STI at 814-839-4549
or fax 814-839-2601.
Q: Where can I get the 3 ½" 20 gauge ammunition?
A: The 3 ½" 20 gauge sabot slug ammunition should be available by June 2007, in plenty of time for hunting season. One
suggestion: get your barrel re-chambered beforehand. Don’t wait until the last minute. There is a 3-4 week turnaround
right now.
Q: I’ve been told that when you are shooting slugs you should hold down the fore-end. Why can’t I just let
the fore-end lay on my sandbags, like I do when I’m shooting my centerfire rifle?
A: Your reaction to any kind of felt recoil in a rifle doesn’t affect the bullet because it has left the barrel.
With slugs, they are still in the barrel and your reaction to felt recoil and muzzle jump will affect the accuracy.
Q: What’s with the 9 pound 3 ½" 20 gauge gun? Why so heavy?
A: Just a few thoughts on this question, or we should say say criticism.
The nine pound gun is merely a choice of comfort when shooting from the bench. When you sit at
the shooting bench and run 50 rounds of 3 ½" through your shotgun, you soon begin to appreciate the buffering of recoil that
a nine pound gun can provide.
In our press release the gun referred to is a Martin Hagn falling block, a true work of
art that when put into production will most probably sell for somewhere in the $4-9 thousand dollar range depending on
the grade of engraving.
However, on a more realistic budget minded gun – consider the H&R heavy barrel 20 gauge
rechambered to 3 ½". It weighs 8 pounds, and costs between $375 and $400 from Hastings. Or you could choose the Rossi
20 gauge at 7 ¼ pounds. Then there is the CVA, well maybe we shouldn’t say too much, but the Encore is certainly is
a good candidate as well for rechambering.
Yes, great interest has been expressed by all of these manufacturers and that interest is being aggressively pursued,
but for now there is only a rechambering service that we can refer you to until mid-year. Then look for these other offerings
in the 3 ½" 20 gauge by Hastings.
It is true, these are all single shot guns. "One and done" if you will. More along the mindset of the professional hunter who
wants to carry a smaller and better balanced firearm through the woods, not a bulky hand full of wood and steel. The 3 ½"
20 gauge fits the bill as being comfortable to shoot and carry. And in all the afore-mentioned single shot guns they are nicely
balanced.
The 3 ½" with its combination of accuracy, velocity, and energy that equals the heaviest 12 gauge, will be an all
points winner. Again this round and these firearms are for the mindset of the professional hunter. The "pick and choose your
shot" individual. These are not for the type of hunter who needs a rapid fire gun to secure his confidence.
Diversity is what makes this shooting sport interesting.
Here’s a sneak preview of suggested retail price targeted for the 3 ½" 20 gauge sabot slugs box of 5 rounds - $14.95.
Reasonable enough. Scheduled for delivery in June of 2007.
Shoot better – Shoot Hastings
Richard Knoster, Ammo Dept.
More questions and answers are on the way. Have some of your own? Send Them on in.
Watch this space for the upcoming chatter.............................
