it's funny how so many people hear/read and repeat things that they really have no idea about. i have read over and over how a 40 cal. is defiantly in no way a "deer caliber" i have a friend and neighbor who is a deer hunter, he told me a 30-30 was in no way a deer rifle! i said Well i am glad all the dozens i have killed with a 30-30 didn't know that or i wouldn't have killed them! well, it is like this, our deer season runs from aug15-jan1 on private land. i am 67 years old and been hunting all my life. and i have killed literally 100s of deer. i have a lot of experience. up until a few years ago when the north invaded with their wonderful plan and way of thinking to try to force us to be like them, we had no limit on bucks and no obnoxious deer tags! and we got along just fine! and had more deer than we knew what to do with. if a deer is hit right with any size projectile in a vital area, like lungs, heart, neck, ect, it will die fast! if it is hit in a non-vital area, with a large "deer caliber" it can run for miles or days and you may never see it again. the point is hit it right with what you have, and it will work,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,