Try a 405 grain Cast Performance bullet over 50 to 53 grains of Varget. It's a great whitetail load out to 100 yards. Even 125 yards. It will kill further, but the bullet drops severely when you zero it at 100 yards. The solid 405 grain lead bullet will just flat out knock 'em off their hoof's and leave tracking to a minimum...if any at all. Also, the best shot is through the boiler room....but if you do "kind of miss" and send the big chunk of lead thru good meat, (like a quartering too shot...which I really don't like to take) it won't take out an entire hind quarter like a hollow point does. It's more of a big hole in, big hole out....bang, flop...maybe get up....but not run real far.
I have this in a Marlin 1895XLR. Excellent accuracy. I use a peep sight. A scope really isn't necessary....and a peep is more fun...plus you get better braggin rights.
Oh....when I first got this gun I did use it to shoot groundhogs. I mean...heck...I had this darn accurate gun and the only thing in season was G-hogs! Big hole in and big hole out. And they just fell over. But.....you had to have 'em 100 yards or under. I did try a 200 yard shot once. I think I did a guess-ta-ment of 3 feet for the hold over. Me and my buddy got a good laugh...the 'hog ran. I have no idea how close I came.
Dave