We have shot a few deer with the 45-70 and it doesn' t seem to do as much damage as my 7mm mag or even close to it . It will definitely put a good size hole through them but you don' t seem to get the large amount of tissue damage with it. I also have/had the Marlin 1894 in 44 mag and it does a job within its range . I made the mistake of loaning it to one of my sons .