aren't sabots about $5 per round these days? $3 per round??
While I've never lost a deer shot with a 12ga slug, I've only had a doe bang/flop ever.
Once put 3 rounds in a buck at about 40yds and the deer looked at me and walked away, was dead within 50yds, later checking, 3 shots all in the heart.
I'd still take a .308 over my awesome new 20ga savage 220, but it's far and away the best slug gun I've ever owned.