At the range you're talking it will kill deer. I assume that you are handloading it with either a hardcast lead bullet or a jacketed bullet. If so you should be in at least the same class as the .44 mag. I've killed a number of them with both the .44 mag. Marlin and Ruger SAs and one with a S&W. With the rifle all shots kept within 100 yds. and handgun within 50 yds and standing or walking deer only. So the .45 LC properly loaded shoud do just fine, especially on those smaller. Mo. deer.