12 ga is not over kill but the main thing is don't pay attention to people because alot of them just repeat what they have heard from unreliable sources...so if you want go with the 12, but if need be, get a 20.

I shoot a 12 because that is what I have, but if I were going to buy a "Slug Gun" it would be a 20. It is lighter, handier, lower recoiling and just as effective on the business end. If you want an all around shotgun you can't go wrong with a 12, but for a dedicated slug gun I think a 20 is the way to go.

I'm the guy out there that uses a a lot of the smaller calibers and gauges for hunting and believe that shot placement is the key to success on any hunt. I don't believe that you could go wrong with either a 12 or a 20. IF you hunt a lot of waterfowl I would go with the 12 simply because it handles steel better. I don't use buckshot or hunt with people who use buckshot on deer and know from personal experience that both the 12 or 20 are effective with rifled slugs on deer. One of the guys that shoot at my range can make groups with a 20 at 100 yards that will amaze you. He has a low power scope on his 870 and he casts his own Foster style slugs.

the thing to remember is that it is not hard to kill a deer as long as you are using remotely the right stuff, 20 guage is OK. You don't need double-ot buckshot either, if using buckshot. But a 12 ga. is not "overkill".

I don't know who told you that but the 12 gauge is just fine and totally ethical.

Not overkill, not even close. I would get the 12ga. that way you can grow into it. I started with a 20ga. at 14, killed deer with it, but I moved up to a 12 within a couple years. If this is going to be a strictly deer gun, I like the H&R single shot for a slug. Put a 3x9 on it, and you have a deer killing machine.

when in dout get a bigger gun. A 12 BLOWS thrue a deer , a 20 does not ever go thrue a deer. go with the 12ga ,allwase go with the 12 GAUGE!!!

comfort and confidence is what counts