Best alternative to 12ga slugs for deer

[Mgderf]

I've been wondering about these sabot-like slugs; they say they work out of both smooth and rifle bore:
https://www.brownells.com/ammunitio...=AEE_12+Gauge&avs|Manufacturer_1=brenneke+usa
Seemed cost effective enough to bother with sighting both barrel types. Probably another of those 'get what you pay for' deals though.

Those actually work very well in rifled barrels. Not so much in smooth-bores.
They will work, but the accuracy in the smooth-bore barrels is much less than with the rifled variety.
The sabots are designed to contact and use the rifling to impart a spin on the slug.
Firing through a smooth-bore garners zero spin.
At close ranges, anything under about 50 yards, they work well enough.