Choosing a shotgun over a rifle for hunting.........what? The inference I suppose, is that a load of shot from the shotgun makes up for aiming/accuracy issues with a rifle. I guess....... a little more detail might help. I suppose in squirrel hunting, it's the truth in some cases. But....
I wouldn't deer hunt with a shotgun and buckshot unless it was my ONLY option. I can only legally hunt spring gobblers WITH a shotgun. I'm thnking about scoping my turkey shotgun, and HAVE scope one for a pal with really problem vision. A scoped slug gun will serve well for a lot of whitetail shooting. I've even (scout) scoped a Garand and an AK.
JMR's comments are on the mark. A good scope, wisely chosen, properly mounted and understood, will permit hunting accuracy for a very long time, despite ones age and eye problems in most cases. Soon be 60, using readers, and hangun sights are a problem, but no trouble seeing deer in the field, and hitting (most of them) with scoped rifles. My short barreled turkey gun sights are a bit of problem now, but I can't say I've missed any gobblers due to inability to see the sights. Fiber optic sights and a slightly longer barrel have helped with the turkey gun, but a 20-24" pattern or more at shooting distances leaves room for a lot of error regardless.
I've not seriously hunted small game, rifle or shotgun, in a long time.