I have never hunted deer with a shotgun, so I am not an expert in that field. All of my hunting has been with centerfire rifles. But from what I know and I am a reloader a slug has a much longer range and a much greater chance of killing a deer. I have shot 12 gauge buckshot at the range and I was very surprised at how quickly the shot dispered. Out of my A5 with a full choke I would not take a shot over 20 yards with buckshot. With a rifled slug barrel and proper sights you can easly take any American game animal at 100 yards.
Doug Olwin