What type of ammunition is a rifled slug?

A rifled slug is specifically designed as a solid projectile that is fired from a shotgun, primarily for the purpose of hunting and self-defense. Unlike typical shotgun rounds that contain multiple small pellets, a rifled slug is a single, solid piece of lead or other materials intended to be fired from a smoothbore shotgun. Its design features rifling, which means it has grooves similar to those found on a rifled rifle barrel, allowing for improved accuracy and stability when it is fired. This accuracy enables hunters to take down larger game effectively at a greater distance compared to standard shot shells.

Other types of ammunition, such as birdshot, consist of numerous small pellets designed for shooting birds and other small game, which does not provide the same impact as a rifled slug. Additionally, a load used for practice may refer to various types of ammunition that are not specific to rifled slugs. Finally, the measurement for shotgun bore pertains to the diameter of the shotgun barrel and does not describe the ammunition itself. This clarifies how a rifled slug functions and distinguishes it as a unique type of ammunition.