I`ve taken several deer with a .357 max. in the last few years. I lost 1 because of bullet failure with a 170 gn. Sierra. I hit the Ball joint in the front leg. The bullets I`m using now are still more frangible than I like and I my go to hard cast gas checked so I don`t have to wait on the perfect shot. I`ve never put one down right there, but they don`t go far with a double lung shot. Nice deer round.
Hint, put a high by pod on it. Mine wears a 2 1/2 x 8 Leupold on it and a 27 in. by pod. When your sitting on the ground you can put the butt of the gun on your knee, about like the bench. A 2X scope is all you really need for deer, but the 8X is really nice from the bench.