The guy I hunt with said he killed his first few deer with a 410 smooth bore and slugs. He didn't say what ranges though. He also used one in the jungle while growing up. (His mom and dad were missionaries and he lived in Indonesia among other places.) It is basically a 45 cal, not sure about the ballistics though without looking them up.

I'm sure it would kill a deer if you put it thru the lungs. As always, shot placement would be key. If I didn't have anything else I would use one. Without checking the ballistics I would put it up there with handgun hunting, or marginally better.

Paul