Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Least Destructive High Power

A bullet that holds together is less destructive on meat then one that comes apart, and a slower bullet does less meat damage then a fast one. That's the basic rule of thumb.

I have killed deer with very fast and very slow guns. All died. Some faster then others but with good bullets and good marksmanship, a "long run" is 50 yards.

Guns I have used that kill deer well but do very little meat damage are :
458 Win mag (no I am not kidding)
45-70 with 440 grain LBT cast bullets at a MV of about 1450 FPS
375H&H with 300 grain solids (again, not kidding)
8X57 Mauser with 200 grain bullets
9.3X57 Mauser with Nosler 250 grain AccuBond.
308 Winchester with 180 grain bullets
30-40 Krag with 220 grain
6.5X54 M/S with 160 grain Hornady and 156 grain PPU bullets
44 magnum with any cast bullet.
45 colt with 250 grain Hollow points, but shot at only about 1200 FPS
357 Magnum with LBT 187 grain WFN
35 Remington with 220 grain Speer bullets
and quite a few others too, but I am sure the point is made.