I had to hunt in shotgun only areas when I was stationed in VA. Rather than try to make an existing shotgun into a deer gun I went out and got an H&R Ultra-Hunter in 12 ga. It has a rifled barrel and groups most slugs well. I topped it with a 2x7 scope and used it to tip over a pile of whitetails. If my memory serves me right I gave less than $225 for the gun new. You might want to check into something like this for yourself.