RE: Are 200 yd slug guns ethical to dispatch a deer?
Oh and to answer the original question of the thread - I think 200 yards is pushing the envelope of the majority of slug guns. A slug is ballistically disadvantaged in several ways (the large weight, not aerodynamic, relatively low velocity). Additionally, most slug guns are not specifically designed for shooting single projectiles. Instead most of them are guns built to shot small, fast targets at close range with a pattern of lead/steel. On top of that most high quality slugs are prohibitively expensive making long range sessions unpractical. Not to mention slugs are usually punishing on the shoulder which further inhibits quality practice time. But even with special purpose shotguns built from the ground up for slugs, super expensive long range slugs, and a well practiced shooter, 200 yards is still on the very fringe of the effective range IMO.