To hunt deer with a .410, you'd need a bow hunter's mind-set. Draw them in really close, and pass up anything but the best of opportunities. Would be good for a challenge, and in the right setting with the right attitude, but not a good overall practice. Especially if you're acustom to getting a couple of deer each season.

I'm a 410 nut. I own several...according to my wife, too many.

I have shot slugs out of mine, and I would say that E's last statement is correct...Bowhunters mindset. And that's at best. I wouldn't reccommend it at all.

The 410 has approx 635-650 lb-ft energy at the muzzle. A 12 ga has almost 2500. It is also only shooting an 88gr (1/5 oz) slug. That's pretty dang light.

All my info is using 2 1/2" slugs...The 3"ers are a pain to find. The 3"ers are comparable to a 357...but lose their umph faster. I still wouldn't use the 3"ers out of bow range.

I was able to find out on the internet that Brenneke makes a 3" shell, quarter ounce slug that produces over 780 lb-ft of muzzle energy. Still pretty light, but if I were opting to deer hunt with a .410, I'd be sure to buy these.