I have used the Marlin Lever action 44 Mag for deer. Out to 125 yards or so it is lethal as hell on anything that gets in its way. This includes Elk and Moose. If you can hit it, the 300 grain Hornady XTP will pass through a Mule deer including one shoulder even at 200 yards. I did it two years ago. I now have the NEF in both 44 Mag and 357 Mag. They are fun and cheap to shoot.