I have shot plenty of buck shot and plenty of slugs and I think that the slugs kick much harder than the buckshot. Also, I have shot plenty of deer with buckshot, here in NJ that is our only choice, and the wayI see it, if I have more than 2 seconds to make my shot at 40 yards and in with buckshot I will show you a dead deer every time. Also, inside 40 yards I would not hesitate to shoot a deer with buckshot on a dead run. I have killed plenty in this fashion, and I would NEVER attempt that shot with a slug. You can say what you like, but you will never convince me that buckshot won't kill deer effectively at 40yards. I have a remington 870 with a 28 inch barrel and an X-tra full turkey choke that puts all 12 pellets of 00B magnums in a pizza box at 50 yards.That WILL KILL any deer it hits at that distance. As far as tracking them and blood trails, I wouldn't worry about it. The buckshot has always knocked them right down for me. Completely different from hitting them with a rifle bullet.