Hmmmm ! Ol' "parapraxis" showed up ?

I am not a fan of any "shotgun" load below the 20 ga., 3" sabot type slugster set-up. Just too much distance limitation for my taste, however, I suspect that limiting the distances to 50 yards or so, the 28 ga. slug load would be OK.

As for not springing for a rifle, I bet you could find a used Handi in 243 Win. for around $200. If your wife and/or girfreind are not worth you dropping two Benjamins, then maybe you need a third choice !?!