i've killed deer 22cal (22mag,221fb and the 22-250) but its taking a chance on loseing one everytime you shoot.iv'e seen some walk like a fly landed on them.there are to many other calibers out that will work way better for a all around gun. i used to varmint hunt all summer ,sometimes taking 400 groundhogs a yr. with my 270win loaded down to 85-100grn bullets and then go deer hunting with 140grn. it just makes more sense useing the right gun.