One time out in the Bush, I took a moose with a 12 gauge, slug, single bead, smooth bore barrel. It's what I had, rifles being 300 miles away. At 35 yards it worked perfectly. That doesn't mean it is more effective, much less preferred over rifle.
And no, beyond 100 yards or so, a shotgun is never "better" or even equal over a rifle for big game, or even inside that range,unless required.
