I have only deer hunted with a .30-06. First a Ruger bolt action and now a Browning BAR semi-auto. I must say, every deer I have hit right with it has dropped in its tracks. Several deer that were hit less than ideal have not run out of sight. Only 1 deer got out of sight and he didn't go far. I love the gun and the caliber. But like I said, I have only ever used a .30-06 so I can't say what the other calibers would do. I do know that with a .30-06, you will not be under gunned for any animal in North America.