RE: 3 1/2 inch mag slugs
It would hurt less to have Mike Tyson punch you in the shoulder than shooting a 3 1/2 slug!
I just sighted in my Ithica deerslayer with Winchester platinums 2 3/4's. Took a doe that same afternoon at 75yds...I use to shoot the old BRI 3 inch sabots and smacked me pretty hard but were not too accurate.