For me, it is something of .25cal to .30cal shooting a spitzer of moderate BC and SD between 110 and 160 grains at a speed between 2,700 and 3,100fps. In a bolt action, the middle of the road would be a .260 or 7mm-08 (short action) or .270 (long action). All three of those, or their ballistic equivalents with alternate headstamps, say "deer rifle" to me.
