As critical hits count for each projectile shot out of a weapon (outside of VATS), if one has a high critical hit chance (~25%), Better Criticals, and Shotgun Surgeon, the player character can expect normal (7-shot) Magnum rounds to do the most damage against targets with 15 DT or less. At 20 DT, 4/0 Buck Magnum rounds win with Slug and Magnum rounds 10% and 18% behind respectively. At a DT of 25 or higher, slug rounds win, with both magnums falling about 30% behind. If one has 35% critical chance and both former perks along with Just Lucky I'm Alive, standard magnum rounds win against targets with a DT of 30 or less, which is just about every enemy in the game. With all these perks against a target with 12 DT or less, the Riot Shotgun can do roughly 630 DPS with standard Magnum rounds, 512 DPS with Buck Magnum, or 300 DPS with slugs.