I recently bought an H&R (Remington Owned) Ultra Slug Hunter shotgun online. I bought it for $265 including shipping. It retails for $299 but at Cabelas it’s $319 plus sales tax.
I have always been fascinated by single shots and especially break action single shots. The simplicity makes them reliable and inexpensive. I bought the H&R 12 gauge slug hunter because I love Big Bores and this one is inexpensive and easy to shoot with a variety of loads. I also wanted to see how the H&R SB2-980 is made. Is it a cheap piece of garbage or not? I’ve heard mixed reviews on the H&R Handi rifles and shotguns. I just had to see for myself.
Here it is still in the box. It’s pretty heavy for a single shot.
Here is the H&R Ultra Slug Hunter shotgun (SB2-980). The barrel is a heavy weight 24″ rifled 12 gauge barrel. It’s actually the 10 gauge barrel bored to a 12 gauge. The walls of the barrel are really thick. The stock is a pretty nice laminate walnut. It looks nice and is heavy. Laminates are very strong and typically heavier than standard wood. They are also impervious to the elements like rain, snow, cold and sweltering heat. Included is a manual, sling and gun lock.
The H&R SB2 action is very simple. It’s a break open with a safety transfer system to prevent accidental discharges. There is a push button that releases the action located just to the left and below the hammer. It is positive and smooth operating. The stock looks nice on this H&R shotgun. The forend matches the stock perfectly too.
The barrel is 24″ and a super heavy weight which is good on a 12 gauge slug gun. The added weight will reduce recoil somewhat. I have not weighed it yet but it should weigh about 8.5 – 9 lbs. The forend is beefy and has a sling swivel installed as does the butt stock.
The butt stock is nicely finished, for a $250 gun. The laminate is nice looking.
Here is the H&R Ultra Slug Hunter action or SB2 action with a factory scope/rail mount installed. The hammer is nicely machined from solid steel. It does not feel cheap by any means. It cocks very smoothly and releases smoothly. The hammer is easy to cock with plenty of serrations for a position grip with your thumb. The butt stock meets the action with an overlap of stock wood but it doesn’t look bad.
The action is finished with a matte blue. It’s very non-reflective and holds a lubricate very well. The trigger guard is smooth and nicely shaped for easy access of a finger. The laminate forend meets the action very nicely. No gaps or mis alignments. Nice fit.
The trigger is really nice. It’s wide and smooth. The trigger pull is good…around 5 lbs of so. It feels nice.
Another shot of the hammer. It’s nicer than some other single shot shotguns I have owned in the past. It’s easy to pull back and feels really smooth. You can see the action release lever below the hammer.
Here is the scope/rail mount. It’s factory mounted with 3 screws. It’s pretty solid and all steel.
Action open. It’s a little stiff but overall smooth and positive. It snaps closed like a bank vault. It’s very tight when closed.
Breech end of the barrel with caliber markings. Bluing on the barrel is a semi-satin finish. The barrel is not polished like high end guns. You can see the machining marks from a barrel lathe. But still nice.
The section of the barrel right by the locking lug is a little rough. You can feel where the weld is. The weld is very neat and hard to see but you can feel it. The locking lug is huge and solid steel.
H&R barrel locking lug.
Underneath the locking lug. It’s a little rough but functions very well.
Butt stock with recoil pad. The recoil pad is a good pad better than what you see on Ruger rifles which are really hard and thin. This one should work well. I’ll see after I shoot is a few times. Sling swivels are installed and are good ones. Recoil pad to stock fit is very good. Not overlaps or gaps. It’s a pretty nice stock.
1″ thick recoil pad. Notice pad to stock fit. Very tight.
The forend is attached to the barrel via a large Phillips screw. It’s recessed into the forend and holds the forend tightly.
Forend sling swivel and contoured front of forend. The forend is comfortable for my left hand. There’s plenty of wood to hang on to. No complaints here.
Muzzle of 24″ heavy slug barrel. Standard finish and bluing.
.729″ bore of 12 gauge slug barrel. The barrel walls are very thick.
Muzzle end of the 12 gauge slug barrel showing the rifling.
So far the H&R Ultra Slug Hunter shotgun is a nice gun. It feels nice in my hands and against my shoulder. The stock is comfortable too. You just can’t beat it for $250. I will do another review after I shoot some slugs through it.