i shot a coues deer with a bolt action weatherby .223 a few years ago with 55 gr. barnes bullet and it piled that deer in a heap.and it didn't destroy any meat not that there is much to begin with. a 55 gr barnes bullet is plenty of gun for a whitetail or mule deer you have to put it in the boiler room as with any shot. i talked to the folks at barnes and they told me out to 300 yards you should be good!