It is my only option, we are buckshot only. It is the only thing I have ever used for deer during gun season. I have a Remington 870 that shoots 3 1/2 Federal Premium very good with a Kick Industries Buck Kicker choke tube. I have shot pie plates out to 75 yards and had 5 to 8 pellets hit but I would never shoot at a deer that far. I did kill my biggest deer at 60 yards standing still and the buckshot did the job very well. Know your gun, shoot it and know your distance of your hunting spots. If like me you are never in the same stand mark off your shots or get a range finder to do it for you. Good luck