get some cheap 2 3/4" Remington sluggers on sale for about $2.00 a box and start at about 25-40 yards, then work your way out to 75-80 yards, Your going to love that gun!!! If your gun does not like the Remingtons, try some Winchesters or Federals. For a treat shoot some Brennekes. I HIGHLY suggest standard 2 3/4" loadings in all for the best accuracy and the least recoil (except fpr the Dixie slugs, they would be used for a different reason). The 2 3/4" standard shells have PLENTY of power for deer at those ranges, in a 12 gauge more than enough. Congratulations in advance of getting it, and let us know when it is home with you....<><....