What is your opinion on each in a 20 gauge? Shots will be less than 35-40 yards. If it matters, this would be for a youth.

see ho a slug patterns at 50 yards first. If you can put three in a pie plate then I would load a slug in the pipe and buckshot in the mag.

That is the way I used to do it. Rarely carry a shotgun now days.

Interchangeable chokes?

Buckshot for a kid. Less chance of missing. Did you realize There's 9-15 pellets that are each the caliber of a .270 or a 30-06 coming out with buckshot? That's devastating to any deer, making it harder to clean miss.

At that distance, buckshot would be my choice.

If you are watching a plot or trail with him, I would go 100% with a slug. You need to put a decent scope on the shotgun and practice with it. I've seen too many deer lost with a 20 guage and #3 buckshot.

If slugs are fairly accurate, that's what I would use. If not, find the tightest farthest pattern u can in buckshot. But IMO, either one will kick worse than a youth center fire. But that may not be a option.

I have very little confidence that buckshot will actually kill the deer "most" of the time. Personally I have killed two deer with buckshot, and lost two deer with buckshot (that I know for 100% were hit). I've also shot at some other deer with buckshot that I feel I probably hit, but couldn't swear on it. One of the two I killed, when I shot it looked like a hair pillow exploded and it ran about 200 yards or more. That was at 20 steps with 12ga 3" Magnum #1 buckshot. I killed a stud 8pt about 20 years ago with a 30-06...when we caped him out he had multiple buckshot pellets and big bruises just barely imbedded in the front shoulder. I suspect the smaller .20ga would worsen the problem.

My 12 yr old killed his first deer in 2013 with 20 ga buckshot...dropped him in his tracks...30 yds

In 2014 got him a youth 7-08...shot a doe at 15 yds and was a gut shot...never found her.

Buckshot would be a good option for a severe case of buck fever

I have killed a tanker truck load of deer with buckshot, mostly 3" 12, but a couple with a 20ga. Maybe half dozen with slugs in both gauges.

A slug will be far more effective than buckshot unless the range is very short, under 25 yards.

Thanks guys. This is just something I thought of in my head and wanted to get opinions. The boys have a 7/08 that both of they shoot very well, but I thought about splitting them up some this season and me hunting with one and sending the other with dad. It probably won't happen much but I just wanted to know how effective each would be. Also the recoil aspect plays into that decision. I guess we'll just have to sell mom on the idea of needing another 7/08 in the house.

Ive killed a blue gazillion with 12 ga #1's back when I dog hunted. Id opt for a slug stand hunting if I was going to shoot a shotgun.

If you are going with a slug, buy a rifled barrel for it. I ruined a 12 gauge barrel shooting rifled slugs through it. I shoot a 12 guage hornady 300 grain slug and it kills the hell out of em. The longest shot I've made is 140 yards but it is pretty accurate out to 200. There's a reason WMA rules don't allow buckshot.

Buckshot but only if there is absolutely zero chance of a shot longer than 35 yards. The main problem with buckshot is that people will underestimate how far deer are and will only wound the deer.

You can't look at it like shooting 9 pellets as good as 9 rifle shots. A pellet only has the wound channel to kill. Rifle bullets are moving much much faster and kill by hydro-static shock.

My experience was limited and was with a 12 ga but I kilt one with buckshot and one with slug. Both were DRT.

I've killed several deer with a slug and rifled barrel. None of them took a single step after being hit with it. 375g Remington Acutip. 2 3/4".

How did you ruin a barrel

You can't judge the yardage, until you know the pattern. I've killed piles of deer with buckshot, and 90% of the. Folded up like a dove. But, I have always patterned my gun. These people that want a wide spread, is the one losing deer with buckshot. I want the longest, tightest pattern. With the biggest Caliber buckshot I can get. It's not rocket science. IMO

2 3/4 Remington slugger through an improved cylinder choke. Bang flop

Thanks for all the help, tips and sharing your experiences with me. Literally, all shots will be less than 35 yards and probably closer to 20. I'll probably go with buckshot based on the yardage but all have made valid points. I appreciate the input.