Mark,

In many parts of the South deer were traditionally run with dogs and most of us used shotguns with buckshot. I have taken several deer with 12 and 16 gauge guns loaded with buckshot. I would recommend that you pattern your shotgun with different loads, i. e. I found that smaller shot sizes (#1 buck and even #4 buck patterned better that #00 in various guns). Buckshot also seems to work better with open choked guns - cylinder or improved cylinder from my experience. Range is generally limited to 40 yards or less.