I USED A SMOOTH BORE FOR YEARS AND IS PRETTY GOOD OUT TO 100 YDS. if your in the timber your shots will be mainly under 50 yrd. Practice with it and if you feel you can make that shot go with it. If you have cash to burn then go get a slug gun, like the savage 220f.Crazzzzy accurate out past 200yrds. time in the woods will be your best teacher. And don't always think that the deer are in the deep woods ,I hunted a big public ground that had tons of open prairie grass and that's where I know of some huge bucks were killed. Try Madewin or desplains I have killed deer at both.