For me, the answer to this is it depends on who is using the .410 and how they are using it. First, the .410 slugger is legal here in Arkansas. I won't use it for deer because I have other guns. My boy, however, who is just now 9 years old and weighs in at a whopping 78 pounds cannot handle and shoot my rifles and shotguns. I could have bought him a youth model rifle, but I wanted his first gun to be an "all around" weapon he can use to hunt several different types of game. The .410 is perfect for a youngster learning how to hunt. My boy is well-practiced and deadly with his .410 at 30-40 yards. He hunts with me onlyand will not be taking questionable shots or shots beyond that distance. As he grows, we'll retire the .410 and save it for my first grandson and my songet some of my guns (so I can get new ones!).