Where I hunt its mule deer and they are pretty large bodied deer. My shots are seldom under 150 yards(Prairie Hunting). The average shot is 200-225 yards. There is really never a reason to shoot at a deer past 300 yards where I hunt and I have only done it a couple times in 48 years of deer hunting. I have shot quite a few with the 250 Savage(Wifes Rifle). but I feel better with the 25-06 and bigger for those kind of shots on that size of deer. I have shot about an equal amount with the 6.5x55 and 308 Win. I have shot some with the 30-06 and 300 Win Mags. A few with the 7 Mag and several with the 280 and 270. I feel that the 280 may be just about the perfect deer gun for where I hunt. That said, I have never had to fire a second shot with the 6.5x55. Its been my best one shot every time deer rifle. The 308 has done just about as well. Never shot one with a shotgun as I have never lived where we had to use them. I shot quite a few with the 30-30 and a few with the 22 Centerfires. A few with the 243. 25 Cal's are the minimum now.