[polishshooter]

That's the problem with arguing shotguns versus anything else...their VERSATILITY.

BUT you have to make sure we are talking apples to apples....

Note the comments above about shotgun energy being equal no matter the guage does NOT pertain to SLUGS.....

But many people mistakenly assume the difference between shotgun SLUG energies and power and range between guage size as meaning the same difference between buck and bird...it is just not so! The individual PELLETS in the pattern are EXACTLY the same size in any guage, and the pattern will be just as BIG in the same choke at any range....the only difference is the NUMBER of pellets, so the pattern is denser in the bigger guage...so more pellets should HIT the target....

That is why the .410 is the "Experts" shotgun at least on the skeet range...to get enough pellets on the target to insure the bird breaks, you have to have a tighter choke, so where my '97 Cylinder Riot does really WELL for me (I am NO expert) I have a 15 -20" pattern at most of the stations....the guy who owned the skeet range that BEAT me was using a full/full double .410....HE was hitting them with maybe a 6-8" pattern if that, which takes a LOT more skill than I have.....


Slugs MERELY give a shotgunner the ability to use the weapon as a "point" rather than the "Area" weapon for which it was designed....


BUT, as much as I love slugs, and have killed many deer from 20 feet to 192 yds with them, it is merely a COMPROMISE as a "Point" Weapon!

If you HAVE to use slugs, fine....if your slugs are just to help out in a situation that you will only have the shotgun, fine also...if your "point" fire is only demanded at SHORT range, like finishing off wounded dangerous game in tight brush, or as a "Defensive 'Bear Gun'" that will help you claim later in court you HAD to shoot the bear because he was so CLOSE...well then fine TOO, if only because you can switch BACK to buck....

BUT if you CHOOSE to use a slug when you KNOW you will need "Point" fire at traditional "rifle" ranges and the alternative is a rifle, you will be stupid NOT to have picked just about ANY rifle over the slug....