H&R Ultra Slug Gun

[Robert Kidd]

Looking for some help on a H&R 1871 Ultra Slug Gun. Ganders has it on sale now for 179.00. I am thinking this would make a good entry level for my grandson. The reveiws look pretty good it comes with a scope mount which I was also wondering about what kind of scope would be recommended?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Bob

[Phil T]

It's too light. It will kick like a Missourri mule. 20 gauge maybe, but certainly not 12 gauge for a youngster.
If you go to the homepage of HuntAmerica.com, you can find a recoil calculator. the wieght of the gun is in the internet ad, the weight of the projectile and velocity and the powder charge of a reload can be found at Hodgdon's website.
I once met a farmer who shot geese with a 10gauge H&R single shot. I consider him to be the bravest man I've ever met.

[Fish_Heads]

It's too light. It will kick like a Missourri mule. 20 gauge maybe, but certainly not 12 gauge for a youngster.
If you go to the homepage of HuntAmerica.com, you can find a recoil calculator. the wieght of the gun is in the internet ad, the weight of the projectile and velocity and the powder charge of a reload can be found at Hodgdon's website.
I once met a farmer who shot geese with a 10gauge H&R single shot. I consider him to be the bravest man I've ever met.

There's nothing light about a H & R ultra. The 12 gauge is basically a 10 gauge barrel that is bored to 12 instead of 10 (Bull Barrel). The extra thickness & wood stock make it a great steady shooting slug gun. I have one & would recommend it as a good youth or adult tack driving single shot.

It's not one of those "youth" model single shot light weight guns (ie Rossi) that kick like a mule..........The heavy H& R is just the opposite.

My son's first gun was a youth Rossi 20 ga. / .22 combo with both interchangeable barrels which DID kick like a mule. (We sold it less than a year after we bought it new.)

The H & R Ultra probably weighs double what the Rossi did.

Fish

[Phil T]

Oh, I had looked up that model line on H&R's website. Depending on exact model, the H&R slug hunter can weigh anywhere from 5 1/2 to 9 pounds. It's fixed breech. I'd rather shoot my 338 Win Mag rifle than slugs in my 8 1/2 pound gas-operated semiauto 12 gauge "waterfowl" shotgun. I've done both, just a lot more 338 than 12g. slugs. Of courwse if the grandson is the high school linebacker, so he's used to collisions, a 12g slug would be acceptable as a starter.

[Explorer]

Robert

Spend some time looking at the Red Dot scopes out there. They are wonderful for big game hunting.

I would actually rather see you buy him a BOW. lol

[TIN CAN]

Robert,

My Nephew had the H&R Ultra with the heavy barrel. He was about 17 and weighed in around 160. He could not would not shoot it due to the straight line recoil of the gun. You did not say how old your grandson is, but consider this. Most times when we are talking about entry to an activity for a new person whether it be shooting, or whatever we want to start them out on the least expensive least practical equipment we can get. Too many times this discourages the new person and sours their taste for the sport or activity. If it were my grandson I would opt for a more user friendly albeit more expensive starter that can last him for years to come. In that case it would be a light recoil 20 ga. semi auto. Like I said it will cost more but in the long run he'll love the little gun, learn to shoot it without fear and hunt with it for years to come.

Just my thoughts

[Papascott]

I purchased my son a mossberg super bantam. 20 Ga. It was a cimbo with vent rib and rifled slug barrel. Topped it with a true glow Holo sight. It shoots good enough I carried it for regular fun season since my soon tagged out during youth season.

The entire gun is camo. The butt stock comes with spacers to adjust it to a longer length a Jr grows. It also comes with a certificate to get a matching adult but stock.

I've never been a mossberg fan but this one has been excellent.

[Walter Halter]

I bought a Mossberg 500 Bantam Field/Deer Combo in 20 ga. for my daughter. Comes with a 24" rifled/ported barrel and a 22" field barrel. It has a tapped receiver so I put a Truglo red dot on it for her. I am truly amazed with the accuracy of this gun! We found that it shoots Remington 2 3/4 Accutip slugs the best. Had to be the most expensive ones you know. We shot groups of three at 50 yds. for practice with the holes touching . Won't bore you ballistics or MOA but I'm not kiddin', this thing is really a shooter. She's 13 years old with 2 years,2 bucks and 2 shots under her belt. Maybe not what you're looking for but really worth a look. Gun and red dot for under $400.

[grizzley]

had the opportunity to shoot a 12 ga. ultra slug, and it was very accurate, but kicked like a mule. ended up buying a browning A-bolt, with 5" rifled choke, that is even more accurate, but I think the recoil is even worse. shooting sabot slugs seem to be a little easier on the shoulder.
think if I were buying for a youngster, I'd go with the 20 ga.
maby even the .410: a little light, but another option.

[scoutmaster1]

This gun in 20ga was recommended to me for my small frame 15 year old daughter and we couldn't be happier. She is shooting out of a blind with a rest and does fine. I have purchased a second 20ga H&R Ultra Slug for myself, this weapon when sighted in is an absolute tack driver. She has used both a 50 cal muzzle loader and a 20ga 1100 Rem and definitely prefers the H&R.

[scoutmaster1]

I thought I would add a comment on the H&R 20ga I mentioned. This is a muzzle heavy weapon and I would not recommend it for a brush busting carry all day item. It works perfectly for my daughter who hunts out of a blind and myself for shooting out of a tree stand. The scopes we have are a DOA 250 and a Nikon Slugmaster. We shoot Winchester Partition Gold ammo which seems to be a perfect match.