Damn near anything will drop a deer instantly with a pure lung shot once in awhile. I've done it with a .222, .243, .30-06, .30-30, 12 gauge slug and a .490" patched ball. It ain't anything that can be counted on with anything though and most will run a ways. Truthfully, I've found VERY LITTLE difference in how far the average death run will be with anything from .222 - .30-06 and the .30-30 does about as good a job of killing deer as anything .