Since the late '70s my favorite rifle for deer size critters has been my .257 Ackley. My handloads are very near to .25-06 velocities, and I've killed many deer and pronghorn antelope with 117 gr Sierra GameKing bullets, 115 gr Nosler BTs, and 120 gr Hornady HP bullets.
The bullet that I've used the most and that has killed the most animals has been the 117 gr Sierra GK which I've used to make one shot kills not only on deer and antelope, but 3 bighorn rams, a Dall ram, a mountain caribou, and one of my best 6x6 bull elk.
Put that bullet tight behind an animal's shoulder and he's dead.
