i use a 30-06, 180gr. silvertips for deer in vt. just once have i shot twice at a deer after hitting it, and that's because it was headed for the swamp that i didn't want to go into. they haven't gone far, if at all. works well for fallow deer, too. but, my father went for a .280, after using an .06 for years, and is just as happy with his results.