Otis-In all honesty I use the 7mmstw for deer because It was intended to be used for elk and moose as well.If I was to have a rifle built for deer hunting only it would probably a .257" caliber built on the 7mmrem mag or wsm case.I killed many deer with a 257wby mag and see no reason for a bigger bullet for any deer.As for the 7mmstw ,it kills just as well at 50 yards as it does at 400yards and works well in all deer hunting situations so I have no intentions of using something else..