I shot deer with my MLs using a round ball up to a 295 gr Powerbelt. They were all just as dead. Whitetails are not tough animals to kill. Although some are tenacious about hanging on to life and seem to run a lot farther than they should. You do not need a premium bullet. And like RR said - you punch a hole in their lungs, they won't go far. My preference lately is the heaviest bullet my rifle will shoot accurately. They seem to provide more penetration, giving me a pass through with a better blood trail. Which is always helpful.