I assume you are talking deer for game. Well, the quiet ones are not real powerful and not so easy to find. 32-20, 25-20 WCF, maybe the .357 Mag in a rifle barrel. I think Marlin still makes .32 and .357 lever rifles. If it was varmints I would say 22 hornet or 222 Remington. Historically they were good poacher rounds. The tamer cartridges would naturally call for good bullet placement. Current trend in cartridges is for the big boomers. Sad for times like these where you want a low report.