Yes, many whitetails myself and three other guys in our Northern Wisconsin deer camp used the M71 as well. It was the go to rifle in our camp. Everybody used basic 200 grain silvertips but occasionally used the old 200 grain remington loads as well! That combo probably took 80 or more deer (we go way back to 1936!). Never a problem. One guy used his for elk and moose as well and never had an issue.
