I wouldn't even bother with a slug gun if you can shoot a rifle. Just get a milder recoiling rifle instead. A .243 is plenty for deer, you don't get more dead than dead, especially at the ranges you are talking about. There is simply no comparison to the effectiveness of a centerfire with the proper bullet and a 12 ga slug. He will pay waay more for ammo, probably have close to the same recoil and be taking a few steps backwards in technology. Just doesn't make sense to me, at all.

A .243 or 7mm-08 will have very little recoil, be cheaper to shoot, most likely be more accurate, will give you better performance and more range. I know most of your shots are close, but what if a really nice deer walks out at 150 or 200 yards. That is going to be an iffy shot with a slug gun, I wouldn't even attempt it. With a rifle you won't even have to think about it or compensate for drop. Just put the cross hairs on the deer and squeeze.

I would personally take a 44 mag lever gun over a slug gun to be honest.

Unless he want the challenge of slug hunting, then I say go for it. I don't think he will be happy with the recoil though. My H&R ultra with the heavy barrel, scope and other stuff weighed in at around 12 lbs, and it still thumped me pretty good with 400 grn platinums at around 1700 fps. I don't even want to talk about what the 600 grn gold magnums felt like. You try shooting one of those two rounds out of a light rossi and it won't feel pleasant I assure you of that.

Paul