All right all you 16 sleuths out there!

I'm 72 years old and have been killing deer for 65 years.
I've killed deer with a rifle, muzzle loader and one with a bow.
I'd say I've averaged one+ a year, figuring in the few years I wasn't able to hunt and then the years I filled multiple tags.

In all my days, I have NEVER killed a deer with a slug! 🤯
I'm hoping to change that this year.
1) semi auto
2) 16 gauge
3) slug
4) no scope

What can I reasonably expect to be the effective range?
50 yards?
60 yards?

I've got two slug choices.
4/5 oz
OR
7/8 oz

I realize that with a scope increasing accuracy, it will probably kill out to 100 yards.....but I don't have that luxury.

Thanks for your input.

Get 2 or 3 brands and test them. There will most likely be a clear winner, at least that is my experience with slugs.

Only you can decide on effective range.

Betting it will kill farther than you can accuratly shoot with a plain bead.

Fixed choke or screw in tubes?

Screw in tubes.
The gun was manufactured in 1932. The S/N says it was one of the first 500 made!
The stamping on the barrel revealed that it wasn't original to the gun.
I don't know if there was more than one barrel or the original was damaged beyond repair.
Since the barrel wasn't original to the gun, I sent it to Briley in Houston and had it threaded for tubes.
Their basic service gives you three tubes.
I got X-Full for turkeys, a tighter Mod tube and a tighter Imp Cyl tube.
I'm using the most open tube.

Tried a couple of slugs at 25 yards. Guestimated a sight picture.
First one hit 1.5" high dead above the bull. I pulled the second shot, but it would still be a killer shot. Dead o.n horizontally and 1.5" right.

Got plenty slugs. My shoulder withstood two slugs just fine. A prosthetic shoulder can't handle that much abuse.

Do they offer a rifled tube?

Never thought to ask.... but at the time, I wasn't even thinking about shooting slugs.
Another tube is only about $80 +/-, IF they even offer one.

10gauge
I understand about the several different brands concept. I don't disagree.... BUT.....
I've got Rem 4/5 oz slugs and Win 7/8 oz slugs.
One or the other will HAVE to work.

AND....
Sixteen ammo ain't cheap. I AM cheap! LOL!
Sixteen ammo is also difficult to locate. Especially slugs and buckshot.