My 180 gr FN with gas check. Use 296 or H110 powder and load it to 1800 fps, which will be touching the bullet or slight compression. My wife and I have taken Elk and deer with this load, and hundreds of smaller animals. Elk and deer rarely move, or travel only a few feet when hit through the chest. One bullet left a straight 1 inch diameter hole for 30 inches, angling through an elks chest, and exited the skin. It walked about 10 feet and toppled.
We used a Marlin. All rifle length barrels do the same because they develop more speed than Revolvers. Revolvers work real well with the same bullet and load but wound around 3/4 inch diameter with the same load. A 160 gr is as good for deer if ranges aren't over 75 yards or so. At longer ranges the heaver bullet holds speed better.
