bullet design and shot placement
i've spent much time trailing deer shot with 22 centerfires. too much time.
much less time spent with 30 calibers, regardless of shot placement.
if you go small in caliber, you must go up in skill for shot placement, and use a proper bullet for the job.
if you are just hoping to hit a dear somewhere, go up in caliber. if you are patient and responsible with your shot, any reasonable caliber(22 centerfires)
will do with proper bullets.
i used to cut meat and would often be the deer camp "trail my deer" guy for the old-timers, who usually only wanted the hind quarters, i got the rest. one old guy would always gut shoot with a 22 of some kind, usually a hornet. got tired of looking for his crippled up deer. he may shoot of the lower front leg if lucky. tried to avoid a hunt when he was along.
one of my neighbors brought in a deer so shot up, i refused to cut it up, was'nt worth the time or his money.
He says "i only had to shoot it 6 times."
he used a 243, and i explained to him what kind of bullet he needed, not the same one he used for woodchucks. he was insulted for a while but later became a friend.