Hey Guy's - I'm new to the forum and would appreciate any advice you can give me! I just bought a Merkel 211e O/U 12 gauge over 30-06. My question is: Can I shoot slugs through the 12 gauge? It is a magnum chamber and the gun manufactured in November of 1970. I'm not sure what the choke is, but Merkel USA told me it was most likely full. Here's the funny part: They passed me on to their gunsmith and he told me he didn't know if slugs would be ok - So I figured I'd ask you guys.

Thanks for your help!!!

Jim

I don't think Herbert likes to answer questions that require any risk taking. Of course you can shoot foster type slugs with the shuttlecock style skirts in any modern 12 gauge in good condition. I won't guarantee that you'll hit anything with them. Is the chamber marked 12/76 or 3 inch? I would be a bit surprised if it has a 3 inch chamber.

Shooting slugs in a full choke gun is an age old question that has lots of varying opinions. Some people say yes some are convinced you'll strech the chock out to something it did'nt start out as. The same argument go'es on about monometal bullets in your rifle barrel since it has a full rib like a double rifle.
I don't blame Herbert for his answer on this question that some have such strong opinions about. personally I would'nt worry about it, I think the only problem you might find with your slugs if the choke is too tight will be less than optimum accuracy. I would give it a try but it's your gun.

In former E. Germany the regular hunting weapon was a Suhler side&side in 16 or 12 gauge, usually 1/2 and full, with claw mounts and a Zeiss Jena 4x scope. They used these guns to shoot all their roe, red stag, fallow and wild boar and did very well.

If the gun is proof shot and has the proper marks, it will handle slugs.

I would not use it with 3 inch shells, get a couple different regular 2 3/4 slugs of the Foster or Brennecke type. I am sure at least one brand will shoot well. More power is not required, either, to whack them well.

Thanks for the replies. The chamber is marked 76 on the extractor. Herbert said they shoot slugs through full chokes in Germany all day long. Then when I asked if I could he himmed and hawwed. I think I'm going to give it a try. These little guns are a blast.

Jim

Jim here is what I recommend.
I would get one of the slugs I wanted to shoot and cut it open taking the slug out withoud damaging it. Then I would drop it into the barrel and see if it goes through the choke OK.

If it drops through the choke and out the end of the barrel then you are OK IMHO.

If it takes some pressure to push it through the barrel then you will have to make a judgement call.

You can try different brand slugs as they are all a little different in diameter.

Also try some brenneke slugs. If the lead part will pass through the barrel I wouls shoot them in my guns. It is ok for the wad to require a little pressure to push it through, again IMHO.

Here is a little story that happened to me. I was hunting with the Wifes Sauer 3000 drilling 12x12x30/06.

The cows would sometimes gather at my spot near the river. I brought some Bean Bag rounds, the kind Police use for Less Than Letal situations to the deer lease.

Well the cows came in and I loaded up a Bean Bag round and shot at the rearend of a cow.

All I heard was kthump... And no bean bag hit the cow.

The choke was so tight on that gun that the bean bag got stuck in the end of the barrel.

I had a heck of a time getting the bat out of the choke...

Thankfully no damage was done.

PS we shoot slugs, US and Brenneke through that Drilling with out any problems.


I now have some Rubber Buckshot for "them" cows for next time.

The "wings" on a Brennecke slug are designed not to put some stabilizing "spin" onto the proyectile but to deform when going through a narrow choke.

Like I already wrote, the gun for sure has been proofshot in Suhl before delivery. Check the stamps. When in fact it's chambered for the 76 mm/3" shells at increased pressure, firing a regular 2 3/4 slug would not at all be problematic at all.

OTOH I would not use it with steel shot.

Guy's: Thanks for the replies!

I'll cut a slug apart tonight and see how it fits through the choke.

Would be nice throw heavy lead through this thing!

Thanks!

Jim

JDA-CO Please let us know the results of your test we will all learn something from this.

Guy's: Thanks for your help!

I ran some Federal Brenneke slugs through the Combo this last weekend - Worked fine - In fact, it was better than fine - The gun shoots the 30-06 barrel to the same POI as the shotgun barrel at 50yds - I was impressed with the grouping (around an 1.5 inches). At 100yds the shotgun is about 4 inches low. Perfect!

So the gun shoots slugs and the rifle bbl to the same POI at 50yds and it's dead on with buckshot at 20-25yds.

All I can say is that I'm in love...

Hey guy's - Quick correction: The Federal slugs I am using are the 2 3/4 Power-Shok Rifled Slug. I called them Brenneke's but i'm not sure that's the right name.

Thanks!

Jim

I have used slugs in alot of different shotguns and drillings over the years, and I am very cautious when using them out of tightly choked guns. In fact, I will not shoot slugs out of choked tighter than IC. Herbert is very conservative, as he should be.

I prefer to shoot slugs from either Cylinder Bore or Skeet choke, and I find the accuracy is better.

My favorite slug is the Federal Tru-Ball. Really accurate and consistent.

Mike