I know I came in late on this thread but I grew up in Upstate/Western NY and all we could use were shotguns for deer. Rem 870 w/Hasting Rifled bbl. 3" MAG BRI Sabot slugs. A deer doesnt stand a chance @ 50 yds....@ 100yds, it will take a bit of trigger time but its do-able. My shotguns dont hunt deer anymore. Not since I bought my T/C Omega ML......100yds with a peep, no problem. 150yds is my limit.