Is it EVEN WORTH IT to shoot SLUGS?… ACTUAL RESULTS!

Published on January 17, 2026
Duration: 12:31

This review from Shooting Gear Reviews investigates the effectiveness of airgun slugs compared to traditional pellets. The host, demonstrating high authority in airgun ballistics, uses a Brocock Ghost air rifle fitted with a specialized slug barrel to conduct terminal performance tests on ballistic clay. The results clearly indicate that slugs offer superior penetration and energy retention at hunting distances, making them a viable option for larger game.

Quick Summary

Airgun slugs, such as the H&N Heavy Slug (38gr), offer a tangible hunting advantage over pellets like the H&N Baracuda Hunter (18.21gr) due to superior penetration and energy retention. Tests on ballistic clay with a Brocock Ghost air rifle showed slugs creating significantly larger wound channels and nearly penetrating the target at 50 yards.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: Brocock Ghost & Slug Barrel Myth
  2. 01:37Ammunition Comparison: Pellets vs. Slugs
  3. 02:0610-Yard Pellet Ballistics Test
  4. 03:0010-Yard Slug Ballistics Test
  5. 05:1250-Yard Pellet Ballistics Test
  6. 07:3150-Yard Slug Ballistics Test
  7. 08:36Wound Channel Analysis & Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Are airgun slugs worth using over pellets for hunting?

Yes, for hunting larger or tougher game, airgun slugs offer a significant advantage due to their increased weight, leading to superior penetration and energy retention compared to standard pellets. This was demonstrated in tests with a Brocock Ghost air rifle.

Can air rifles shoot slugs if they aren't specifically designed for them?

While traditional air rifles may not be optimized for slugs, fitting a dedicated 'slug barrel' can enable effective slug use. This test showed a Brocock Ghost with a slug barrel performing well with H&N Heavy Slugs.

What are the terminal ballistics differences between airgun slugs and pellets?

Airgun slugs, like the H&N Heavy Slug (38gr), demonstrate much greater penetration and energy retention in ballistic clay compared to pellets (18.21gr), creating larger wound channels at both 10 and 50 yards.

What equipment was used to test airgun slug performance?

The test utilized a Brocock Ghost air rifle with a fitted slug barrel, H&N Baracuda Hunter pellets and H&N Heavy Slugs, a DNT Optics 635R scope, and an FX Radar Chronograph to measure velocities.

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