What happens to a 12ga slug after it hits it's target  (deer, coyote, etc.)

   Unless it hits a major bone in a deer, it goes on through and buries itself in the ground on a side shot. Shots hit lengthwise usually recover the slug in dressing out. On smaller animals like coyote, there is complete pass-through.   jj

What happens when a living thing gets hit with a 12ga slug? It dies...

 

 

I've hunted deer with my 12ga 870 for 30 years now. I could hunt with any firearm I wanted to hunt with and will always choose my 870. 

Super Duty pretty much summed up that question. It dies! 12 gauge slug start out at what, an ounce or more? With a modern slug barrel they are very accurate. I'd venture to say theres not much that rivals it for lethality. Most rifle bullets will hardly mushroom out to the size a 12 gauge slug starts out at. So to answer your question it leaves a massive wound canal even if it doesn't mushroom. There is nothing on this continent that a 12 gauge slug can't stop. If you stop to think about it a 12 gauge is the most versatile weapon most of us own. What can't you load it to hunt? From birds to bears and everything in between. I love my 40+ year old 870 Wingmaster. She's starting to show her age but she still runs slick and smooth.   

I use my remington 12 gauge  for squirrels, deer and hogs. For deer/hogs I either use a slug or double/0 buckshot. Squirrels usually#7 1/2 .Got to be careful to get all the shot out when cleaning em though.

When deer hunting upstate I do use a rifle (.243, .270). 
 

I’ve taken many deer closer to home because I live in a shotgun area only with smooth bore 870/1100 Remmies using OO Buck and Foster Style Slugs. I’ve been using the Sabot Style Slugs for a long time now through the full rifled Remmy barrel. A lot better accuracy with the Sabots. 
 

Don’t ever underestimate the power of a 12 or 20 ga. slug. Don’t underestimate the power of buckshot while hunting deer. There is a place for both. 

How far is a 12 ga. slug accurate from? 

   This should tell you something.