The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - First Deer Hunt W/ 12 Gauge. Slugs or Buckshot?

bamaranger · September 21, 2011, 12:34 AM

Buckshot is a close range proposition, typically 40 yds and under, and half that is better. Much depends on how your gun prints different loads.
Buck is still common here for hunters with dogs (still legal), but cripples are common and the dogs help with that.

Depending on how your gun throws slugs, you might have 50-75 yd deer gun. The big stumbling block on slugs through common shotguns is the bead sight. Difficult to get any sort of consistency in sight picture with just the simple front bead.

With real sights and some experimentation, common slugs can likely go to 100 yds on a deer sized target.

Personally, I would hunt slugs and come up with some type of improved sight system.

Or........buy a gun with a slug barrel, or one that could be fitted w/ same.

September 21, 2011, 12:34 AM	#6
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,295	buck v. slugs Buckshot is a close range proposition, typically 40 yds and under, and half that is better. Much depends on how your gun prints different loads. Buck is still common here for hunters with dogs (still legal), but cripples are common and the dogs help with that. Depending on how your gun throws slugs, you might have 50-75 yd deer gun. The big stumbling block on slugs through common shotguns is the bead sight. Difficult to get any sort of consistency in sight picture with just the simple front bead. With real sights and some experimentation, common slugs can likely go to 100 yds on a deer sized target. Personally, I would hunt slugs and come up with some type of improved sight system. Or........buy a gun with a slug barrel, or one that could be fitted w/ same.