Hornady's offering is the SST Slug in both 12 and 20 gauge. The SST projectile is a polymer-tipped, copper-jacketed bullet that is similar in design to those used in their rifle and handgun loads. Encased in a sabot, the 12-gauge version weighs 300 grains and leaves the muzzle at 2,000 fps. According to Hornady, when sighted in 2.7 inches high at 100 yards, it will be dead on at 150 and only 6.7 inches low at 200 yards, while packing almost 1,200 foot pounds of energy at that longer distance. The 20-gauge version isn't too far behind. Its 250-grain slug clocks 1,800 fps, and sighted 3.3 inches high at 100 yards is dead on at 150, 8.2 inches low at 200, while packing 815 foot pounds at that range.

Federal offers a number of high-tech slug loads, and the one that excites the most is its Premium Vital-Shok Barnes Expander in 12- and 20-gauge sabot loads. The Barnes bullet does not come apart, even when the heaviest bone is struck. They always expand, and penetration is excellent. It's a great bullet design.

Those opting for a 12 gauge can have this in a 2 3/4-inch, 1-ounce load clocking 1,450 fps and a 3/4-ounce load hitting 1,900. A 3-inch load throws a 1-ounce slug at 1,530 fps. When sighted in at 100 yards, the different loads are between 2 and 3 inches low at 125 yards and deliver 1,315 to 1,600 foot pounds of energy.

The 20-gauge versions are available in 3-inch loads of 273 grains that provide 1,900 fps and 1,272 foot pounds at 125 yards, or a new 2 3/4 inch version with 273 grains, 1,600 fps, and 909 foot pounds at 125 yards. With a 100-yard zero, they are between 2 and 3 inches low at 125.

Remington offers a wide selection of loads and the ones that spark my interest are the Managed Recoil Buckhammer loads. Designed specifically for rifled barrels, they use a reduced velocity to achieve less recoil, while providing deer-downing power to the 100-yard mark.

Winchester, as well, has an extensive line and the most interesting to me is the new Supreme 3-inch sabot load that launches a 260-grain Partition Gold bullet at 2,000 fps. This bullet looks suspiciously like the same one they load in their .454 Casull handgun load; that bullet works very well.