I have shot deer with bullets from .243" to .458" in diameter, and really didn't notice a lot of difference in the effect.
I generally lung-shoot, the deer bucks and runs 20 to 50 yards, and dies.
The smaller bullets leave lesser blood trails.
Speedy bullets screw with them in a big way. These are the ones that seem to get the most reaction to the shot, and the shorter runs. They also destroy more meat, but that's a trade-off that's part of the deal.
