I’ve only ever used rifled slugs. The idea of a rifled shotgun barrel is strange to me. Would it not be, at that point, a rifle? That’s the very nature of the word: rifle/rifling. Would 00 or any pelletized shell gain an advantage through the rifling, or is it intended to be used solely with sabot rounds?
Learn something new everyday.
Shot expelled down a threaded barrel spreads in doughnut fashion way to fast to be effective beyond ten to fifteen feet..
Spinning a solid slug gives it greater stability in the air, so solid rounds do better in rifled barrels. That spinning effect is negative for shot dispersing from the barrel.
I believe the fully rifled barrel is only intended for sabot rounds. I use it on a 870 that came with a 30” full choke barrel. I keep it around with 00 buck primarily for home defense and hopefully I’ll get to turkey hunt again. I don’t know that I’ll ever deer hunt with it. I deer hunt with either a 30/06 or a 45/70 govt. In Mississippi, during the primitive weapons or muzzle loading season, we can use a single shot, exposed hammer, pre 1900 patent in a .38 cal. or larger so I don’t use my muzzle loaders anymore.
Sabot rounds through a rifled shotgun barrel are CONSIDERABLY more accurate and provide further effective range.
Hunting deer with a smooth bore and standard or rifled slug limits you to about 50 - 60 yards of good accuracy.
On the other hand, I’ve got a rifled slug gun that I would confidentaly shoot at 150 yards.