Need Advice

[GH1]

This weekend I may have the opportunity to try my hand at deer hunting and I need some advice.  I'll most likely be using a 12 guage and want to know if I should be using slugs or buckshot.  If I use shot what size?
I've never done this before so any and all advice will be appreciated.
GH1

[Graybeard]

Slugs. Forget the buckshot.

[theoldarcher]

If you are going out this weekend, and you have never done this before get more than one box of slugs (if you have a rifled barrel on your 12 Ga, then any good sabbot-style will probably work--I like Remington and Hornady; if you are using a smooth-bore, look into something like the Brenneke) and practice starting at 25 yards and work your way out to 75 yards or so and see how the slugs react at different distances.  Please do not go deer hunting without ever having shot your gun enough to know what it will do at normal deer ranges.  I assume you are in an area that requires shot guns, so the distances should not be too great.  If you have time yet this week, extend you practice to 100 yards. 

Best of luck, Arch

[GH1]

We can use rifles in AR, I just don't own one.  I can borrow one from the property owner, but I'd rather use my own.  Or course, I may not be able to find shells for my 16 guage, at which point I'll use my friends and that will be that.  He's got a 12 guage and a .30-30.  Would I be better off with one of these guns?  I've even thought of using my .357 revolver, but that may not be a good idea.
GH1

[Oldshooter]

I think you'd be better off with the 30-30, but the shotgun will kill if you can hit with it. The 357 at ranges out to 75 yrds would be ok as well. Shoot whatever you can hit with would be my first choice.

[GH1]

Thanks for all the advice everybody, I'll be sure to post whatever happens.
GH1

[GH1]

I went out saturday morning and managed to shoot a small doe, about 80 lbs. I guess I was in the woods for maybe an hour and a half. It was a pretty close shot, about 15 yards or so.  I hit her with a load of 00 and she dropped right over, but she was still kicking a little bit.  After I shot her I unloaded my gun, lowered it from the stand, and climbed down. I took my time because I didn't want her to get a bust of energy and run. I then walked up to her and put a single .357 round into her head, end of story. 
  We got her back to camp and a couple of old timers walked my through the whole cleaning process, and after letting her hang for a couple of hours I then boned her, cut her up, and put her on ice. During the cleaning I saw that I but a couple of shot through her lungs, another one into her spine, and destroyed her liver, so I really didn't need to put one into her head.  But I didn't know that at the time, and I hated to see her suffer.
  Tonight I'll do the final cleaning and cutting, and put everything in the freezer.
I went out again sunday but didn't have any luck, nor did anyone else in my party.  I was the only guy that got a deer. It was a lot of fun and I think I'll do it again.
GH1

[Oldshooter]

Excellent!! GH1, A little Buckshot can do the job just fine! Heck there are guys on here that kill em with a piece of string, a stick and a feather!     so I know a shotgun can do a good job!

That buck shot probably hit her like a fist at that range!

Good huntin!

[GH1]

Yeah, that buckshot just knocked the bejeesus out of her!  Actually, in the particular set of woods I was hunting, I'm surprised anyone would use a rifle.  Due to the thickness of the vegetation you'd be pretty hard pressed to shoot anything at much over 30 yards. Perhaps some peplpe just feel more comfortable with a rifle, I don't know.
 I spent yesterday evening doing the final cleaning, butchering, and wrapping for the freezer.  I'll probably cook some this weekend.
GH1