Shot slugs at deer for 20 years or better before the DNR changed the zone i hunted in to rifles. Shot a savage 210 for almost all of that time and had no issues. It shot the 2 3/4" sabot winchester or hornady slugs (385 grain) about the same. Was about a 1" gun maybe a little less off the bench with a cheaper scope. I ruined a weaver and leupolds from the recoil and honestly a cheap simmons is what held up the best.
I have shot deer anywhere between 20 yards to 200 yards and had great success. Its painful to shoot and expensive to feed but sight in with the slugs you are going to hunt with and go from there. The Past recoil pad is a lifesaver.
