RE: i hunt white tail in new york an i have been using ...
stick to what you shoot best.
here's a story.
every deer i shot with my 20 gauge slug gun dropped dead on the spot except for 1 doe that ran 75 yards. (still dont know why) i killed 3 bucks and a handful of does and never had to track them. this year, i am shooting a 12 gauge slug gun and shot 1 buck and it ran 80 yards before expiring. i was more comfortable with the 20 gauge bc i shot it more bc of less recoil. i wanted the 12 bc it had a scope. i shoulda stuck with the 20 gauge.