I've taken over 25 deer with my -06 and without question shot placement comes first. Aside from that I've taken them with 180 gr. psp from remington, Winchester Supreme's in 150 and 165 ballistic tips, federal's, Hornady's and a multitude of handloads (Nosler partitions, Speer, Sierra etc). If I only had 1 factory purchased round to shoot it would be the Winchester Supremes w/165 Gr. Nosler BT's. I shoot a Ruger M-77 Bolt w/a 3-9 vari-X 3, and I have never had a deer move more than 10 feet after nailing them with one of these rounds. The only downside to Ballsitic tips IMHO is that if the deer is too close (like 25 yards) the internal damage caused by these rounds is too overwhelming. I have had a deers inerds literally explode (including the stomach [:'(]). It was a nasty gut job and I lost some meat - again if the shot placement was better I wouldn't of had the problem (ie if I waited for a broadside shot instead of the oncoming quartering shot that I took). Take the time to find what shoots best in your gun, then have the confidence to put it where it belongs - that is the key