Hard to compair a bow to a rifle bullet. Bows don't make much noise and deer don't release that they have been killed and some times run a few steps and look back to see what scared them and just fall over dead. Bullets have the energy transfer , shock. and noise will scare them to run. How about a h&r single shot rifle in 243 and bigger ,don't cost much and work well and see many in pawn shopes real cheap. Or maybe try to pickup a used bow for next season. You do have 7 or 8 months to look around. Many old bows are cheap and work well just not as fancy, as fast or as expensive as a new one. Best chaces in many areas for the bigger deer is during bow season anyhow. + it don't cost to shoot them alot. hehe