Good post.

The ballistic products and the starsandstripes dangerous game slugs come with molded fins and they claim are stabilized and won't "tumble". I have talked with several people who actually use their slugs on dangerous game like asian buffalo, big cats, boars etc and they tell me they are lethal and very accurate within 50 yards which is what all who intend to hunt with slugs expect and want.

The dixie slug does not tumble according to the owner of the company. They have rifled ribs that make them shoot true through a smooth bore, I am told. They are also consierably harder than regualr lead slugs.

All of these dangerous game slugs are hardened and they are conical or nose shaped with a mechanism to make them spin true such as spiraled ribs. This would give them substantial stability and penetration once they reach their target. I also spoke with a hunter who has starsandstripes load for him a "machined copper solid slugs" with a blunt nose design. He said he has used them successfully on all big game except elephant. He doesn't hunt elephant period with ANY rifle or sluggun. But he has shot many buffalo with a slug gun.

Like any hunting effort, the gun and the projectile are key elements of the equation. You don't hunt dangerous game with a "very light", soft leaded sabot slug. Just like you wouldn't take a high powered rifle and but a soft nosed light bulet in the chamber and head out for dangerous game... And some people say slugs can't be used but it appears they are arguing against sabot or another small or soft slug, and NOT even giving any merit or consideration to the "Dangerous Game" slugs that are being used and used successfully.

I will be testing all of these slugs in my double barrel slug gun. So, I'll let you know if the holes are round or not. I am waiting on shipments for the slugs and also I sent my gun out to get Edwards Recoil Reducers installed and a 1 inch HIVIZ stock pad to take the sharpness out of the kick. I am shooting 3 inch shells with some substantial slugs --- 1 and 3/8 oz, which is approx 520 grainers. Being .715 or even .735 in diameter that punches both ways. Thus far, though, I must say that the kick from this gun with the slim factory butt plate has NOT been that harsh. Yet, it is a light gun, under 8 pounds. I think I want the recoil reduction technology employed and a bit more weight (11 ounces) before I really get into the testing and hunting.

And yes I think it is good to try different things and experiment before assuming something will not work. So far, I can say that this double barrel 12 gauge gun shooting 1 and 3/8 ounce hardened conical slugs is a mighty fierce weapon and the jury is still not 100% convinced I should carry it to hunt anything, but the next round of tests is critical.