Remington and Winchester will get a lot of ‘nods’ on this one, but I’ve had extremely good luck with the less expensive Mossberg 500, in 12 ga. Current ones I use are eight shot mag tubes, and I install pistol grips and new forends (Pachmyr Vindicator kits are my choice). Also, I stack the mags, alternating 00-buckshot with deer slugs, with a deer slug out first.
Excellent advice. I have a short barrel Mossberg 500 (18 1/2) with an adjustable stock. I too alternate rifled slug and buckshot with the slug first, then #1 buck, then slug... I figure if I need a “precision” shot first - like shooting past my dog who will no-doubt be in an intruder’s face or hanging off some body part of the intruder’s - the slug is a better bet for not catching her with a stray pellet.
What is a deer slug?