lildevock

I have shot a couple deer with my 20 gauge 870, it gets the job done, and the slugs shoot flatter than a 12 gauge. however the only thing i dont like about it is that the two deer i have shot with it, neither of the slugs exited which made tracking a pain

il coyote

A 20ga. slug will kill a deer dead, no problem. I started with a 20, then went to a 12.(fosters and smoothbore)I've been in the market for a single-shot fully rifled slug gun, and you know what, it'll be a 20, not a 12. the 12 just does TOO MUCH damage to salvage all the meat.

Ifyou can use both, why would you ever use buckshot over slugs???

buttonbuckmaster

I've been hunting deer with a 20 ga in Illinois since 1986. I have never shot thru a deer.....ever. The slug is designed to tear a big hole, mass trauma, its not a FMJ.

lovethebigguns

Your 870 20 Guage is PLENTY of gun for deer!
Here in Indiana we can't use rifles for deer so most people use a shotgun and I've seen lots and lots of deer taken down with a 20.
I agree with some of these guys, get a rifled barrel and some good sabots. JMO but I'd use Winchester Partition Gold Sabots. A little pricey, but man do they shot straight and just about knock one off it's feet!

Good luck

gregholland

12 gauge NEF Pardner Slugger 2.

Bambeklr

I live in delaware. We are only allowed to use shotguns. I have been hunting with them for deer since I was 8 years old. A 20 gauge is more than enuff gun. If you can kill a deer with and arrow a lead projectile that expands and has knock down will deffinetly do it. I use a 12 gauge H&R slug gun. They make the same gun in 20 gauge. Alot of my friends have them and they shoot deer out to 200yds. It all comes down to shot placement. Heck if you could sneak up on a deer you could kill it with a number #2 pencil if you put it in the right spot.

excalibur43

Killed lots of deer with a 20 gauge 870 here in Ohio. 100 yards would be no problem, if you can hit the vitals.

Cosmowvu

i use a Mossberg bolt action 12 gauge with Remington Copper Solid slugs and it is deadly but the 20 gauge is a great gun. I hunt in Ohio and the biggest buck I have ever seen on the ground was killed with a 20 gauge 870. It was killed by a 69 yr old half deaf man and it scored 170 3/8

USNRETHunter

My son (13 yo) uses an 870 20ga, rifled barrel, saddle mounted Bushnell holosight. Accurate and deadly to 100 yards. For hunting we use the Federal sabots with the barnes expanders. The 20 gage has more energy and velocity at 100 yards than a 12ga foster from a smoothbore, and better accuracy.

If you are looking at longer shots, I'd recommend an investment in a cantilever rifled barrel, and put on a scope/sight of choice. I know a number of guys using red-dots that love them in the woods. I also use a Bushnell holosight and find magnification is not needed, and would be a hindrance in most cases. I do have a 3-9 Bushnell scope on my muzzleloader though.

1950KID

Lightfield 20 guage slugs in a rifled barrel are plenty for deer.