Slugs won't "ruin the barrel," and a 20-ga with a good modern slug load in it is potent medicine on deer out to about 50 yards. I know, because I live in a slug-hunting only state and I use my 20-ga to shoot deer all the time. I have a screw-in rifled choke tube. Friends of mine have fully-rifled slug barrels that shoot sabots and they swear by 'em. Of course, you have to wait for a decent shot, not just pop away at anything that moves or shoot at running deer. That means learning to hunt as opposed to learning to shoot. You want to see anti-hunters getting their way? Wound alot of deer and have them end up on the six 'oclock news being treated by the local fish and wildlife vets and biologists for gunshot wounds inflicted by people who know so little about guns and hunting that they think "slugs will run the barrel." It's not enough just to want to hunt. You have to learn how to do it, and that means paying your dues and listening to the men in your life who know what they are talking about. I've had the same Winchester Model 12 20 ga for forty years; I use it on ducks, pheasants, deer, turkeys, bunnies, and squirrels. I've shot literally hundres of slugs through it. The bores are shiny and bright as new, it still throws a great pattern, and I'm as good as ever at missing clay pigeons with it! Live and learn, bro, live and learn.
