i dont know about deer hunting with a 357 lever. not unless you really had to. BUT, i will tell you that if your a fan of the 357 round, you will LOVE a Marlin, or even a rossi in 357. i own a marlin in both 357, and 30-30 and the 1984 357 is my all time favorite gun, hand down. i'm told over and over again it will put down a florida deer but since i dont hunt, i havent tried.