Not at first... I bought the barrel used from dairyboy.. he tested some slugs on his RTI compact when he bought the barrel and going by this post he wasn't all that impressed shooting slugs.. I've since polished the bore and the 177 JSB knocks shoot great out to 80 yards for me. Out preforming the FX 10.3gr pellets at 80 yards... both the slugs and pellets fall on their face at a 100... but I'm pretty sure it's the tune.. I want to bounce between the two (pellets/slugs) and the tune I have works best for both... I'm sure (more than positive) if I wanted it to be a "slug only 177" I could get it there. I figure if i need to shoot further that 80 at fur or feathers... I'll do what we all do... open the safe and pull out a larger caliber rifle... or swap the 25 barrel on it.. that's the great thing about the rifle you just ordered... if 177 isn't getting it done... swap a larger caliber kit on it and make it happen.. ( write down your settings, it makes it easier to tune it back when you switch)