They make Deer slugs for shotgun hunting. The reason rifles are not allowed is if you miss the round can go a lot further then a slug or black powered projectile.

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1. Most of the state is densely populated and rifle rounds can travel crazy distances unobstructed. The lawmakers completely forget about franklin and Berkshire counties, which have nowhere near the density and thousands of acres of unbroken forest where rifle hunting would be safe. But until that changes, we’re stuck with slugs.

2. Rifled slugs for smooth barreled guns, sabot slugs for rifled barrel guns. Semi, pump, single shot doesn’t matter.

As long as you clearly state "they're coming right at us!" You can use any weapon.

All my gun law knowledge comes from south park

They should legalize rifles for parts of western MA ,I agree on shotgun for suburban areas but for the more rural spots rifles should be fine ,like Berkshies region and North Quabbin region

Rifle season is for states with lots of big, wide open spaces where you can see for miles beyond your target or where you can be very far removed from houses…..like Wyoming or Maine. In Mass, most deer hunting spots put you in close proximity to people, so you can’t be shooting a .306 that is going to travel two miles and end up in someone’s living room.

I use a 1 oz copper coated sabot slug with a bolt action rifled barrel slug gun. Pretty accurate and lethal.

Reading the mass.gov guidance, it doesn't explicitly list restrictions on type of ammo used for shotgun, but it does rule out buckshot for muzzleloaders.

Your best bet is to post this question in the pinned "legal questions" thread in r/MAguns and you'll get the correct answer.

Archery: Archery equipment may be used during all deer hunting seasons. All bows, (recurve, long, and compound) except permitted crossbows, must have a draw weight of at least 40 lbs at 28 inches or at peak draw. Crossbows may be used by certain permanently disabled persons by permit only. Arrows must have well-sharpened steel broadhead blades not less than 7/8 inches in width. Expanding broadheads and mechanical releases are permitted. Poisoned arrows, explosive tips, airbows and bows drawn by mechanical means are prohibited.

Shotgun: No larger than 10 gauge. May only be used during the shotgun deer season. Rifled barrel shotguns are legal.

Primitive fire arms: Shoulder-fired muzzleloaders .44 caliber to .775 caliber; barrel length 18 inches or more with only one barrel operational. Inline ignition systems are permitted providing the firearm loads from the muzzle. Single projectile only (no buckshot). Sabot rounds, 209 primers, break/hinge-action muzzleloaders, and scopes are permitted. Powder limited to black powder or black powder substitutes. A muzzleloader is considered unloaded when cap or pan powder is removed.

Prohibited: Possession or use of rifles and handguns in any woodland or field, or use on any game during the shotgun deer season, including the Youth Deer Hunt Day.

MassWildlife (508) 389-6300

You can use anything you want just as long as you're wearing the correct pants.

Get a muzzleloader, most today are capable to 200+ yards. Extends the pitifully short Mass season too.

You may use any shotgun ammo ,if you have a riffled barrell and scope mounts ,use sabot slugs like the "Barnes Expander"

If you have a smooth bore ,you could use rifled slugs,smooth slugs or 00 #1 or #2 buck ,I would not go bellow number 2 buck on deer ,#4 buck is more for coyote/bobcat

With buckshot your aim for the head not the heart,so yes at 50 55 yards a .30 cal lead ball would crack the skull