If other was a choice I'd have mentioned several. That being said I've shot many whitetails with the .357. As mentioned earlier shot placement is paramount. Stay away from ultra lite j bullets. 110 and 125 gr bullets cant offer consistent penetration. I have had good results with the 140 gr XTP on about a dozen deer. A wide nose cast 158 to 180 will penetrate deeper. just my 2 cents.