I've used buckshot, slug, 44Mag, 30-30, 45-70, 308, 30-06, 270, 7Mag, 8mm, and ML. Deer seldom fall DRT, and usually run 30-50 yards. Soft points seem to kill the fastest in each of these, although I really like the SSTs as well. NosParts and BSTs kill well, but deer usually run the farthest with them. Additionally, deer usually run about 20 yards before they begin to bleed well with any bullet for me, whether the shot hit the shoulder or lungs. Low body shots and heart shots bleed out more quickly. Deer shot with a 30-30 run the same distance as other calibers, but hardly ever leave a good blood trail. If I hunt an area where i know shots will be no more than 50 yards, I usually grab my slug gun, 45-70, or 44 mag pistol. For stands where my shots can range out to 125 yds or so, I almost always use my 308. for bean fields I use a 30-06 or 270 most often, and occasionally a 7mag.