If you are looking for an "all-in-one" solution - a shotgun that can do it all - I recommend a non-rifled barrel with an open (also called "cylinder bore") or improved choke. An interchangeable choke tube system like Remington's RemChoke will give you the ability to install whatever choke is best for a given application - even a rifled choke for use with certain types of slugs. If you are considering using your shotgun for hunting deer or wild boar, a rifled choke or interchangeable rifled barrel is recommended, to allow use of the most accurate slug rounds. For greatest versatility, avoid a fixed full-choke gun, as commonly offered for turkey hunting. As for barrel length, 18-22" barrels are ideal. Shorter barrels are easier to handle, especially in close-quarters or indoor situations. Longer barrels provide a longer sight radius and greater accuracy at a distance. Unrifled shotgun barrels are easy to shorten, and any competent professional or amateur gunsmith can perform this service.
While there are good arguments for, and proponents of every available shotgun gauge, the most popular and versatile choice is 12 gauge, which has a .729" bore. The range of ammunition selection in 12 gauge is greater than for any other gauge, and 12-gauge shotshells can be purchased almost anywhere. Besides gun shops, many hardware stores, sporting goods stores and discount stores such as WalMart carry 12-gauge shells, even in areas that aren't very gun-friendly.
*Above from
http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/shotgunpace.htm
All open chokes will fire slugs with no problems. Most side by side shotguns fixed chokes will have one barrel open and the other modified. Used to go hunting in the fall with one loaded for grouse and the other for deer.
PS: OZ laws prohibit pump actions. No loss, they make the gun too long for my liking. Once you are used to the handling of a double barrel there is no going back, and if you didnt get whaterver you were trying for in two shots, its a lost cause....
