There are alot of hunters out there who try to prove the minimalist approach, that is the smallest possible round for the purpose (just as there are those who insist that a .300 Win mag is the only possible round for deer). The .22 is known to be a popular round with deer poachers down south. It doesnt mean that it is a good round, and that crew hardly cares about the ones that get away. The 30-30 has long been used for deer, although arguments have been around a long time that it is antiquated and possibly minimal for deer (I disagree). According to one check in my reloading manuals, even the .44 magnum had something like 1/2 the power of the 30-30 at 100 yards. Certainly the .357 has far less. I certainly agree with you in your opinion. We should choose a round that is ethically powerful to do the job, not just one that makes a convenient, light and fun carry gun. Sure, you can probably kill a deer with a .38 or .22. Should you? No.