Oldtimr

I usually still hunt a couple of times a year. I carry the same rifle I am using in the stand, either a Mod 88 Win in .308 or a Marlin 1895 guide gun in 45-70, both scoped. I have no more problem getting the crosshairs on a deer than if I had open sights.

PigBrick

When stalking/still hunting in thickets, I carry a Rem 788 in 308 topped with a 2-7 B&L or a Marlin 336 in 30-30 wearing a V3 (1-3) Weaver. Good bins in thickets are underrated. I use Leupold 8x32 or 8x25 in tighter spots and 10x Leicas in more open country to save pulling out the spotter as much. I find the 8x32s to be handy, light and very versatile. It's amazing what good bins can help you find in the brush.

IdahoHunt

I like to use my rem .243 .

MZS

I use a muzzleloader because I only still hunt with gun during the ML season. Still hunting on my own land during regular gun would only push deer into the neighbor's freezer. Still hunting on nearby public land during the regular gun season is akin to a death wish.

But if I had a good place to do this during the regular gun I would use my Marlin 336. Light, short, and reliable for the heavy cover we have.

Kachok

My main still hunting rifle is the same as my favorite stalking rifle, a Tikka T3 Stainless 6.5x55, fast handling, fits in any tiny shooting house and absolutely busting bugs accurate with 140gr SST handloads. I have long heavy magnum rifles too but I rarely use them.

Oldtimr

Actually, still hunting is not hunting from a shooting house blind or stand, it is walking in slow motion..

archeryelk1

I use either a scoped 7mm/08, a scoped 30/06, an open sight winchester 30-30, or here the most lately my open sight T/C Renegade in .54 caliber (during general season, love shooting black powder!). Scoped or open sight doesn't really matter to me. I use my 8x32 Steiner bino's very frequently and my goal is to take a shot at a standing animal that doesn't know I exist.
I don't practice running shots, therefore I don't take them. The only time I would consider it is if it was a follow up shot at an animal that I thought I'd hit poorly with my first shot.

I would rate speed of chambering a second shot in the following order for me:
Auto
Pump action
lever action
bolt action
.
.
.
Eat a sandwich
Take a nap
.
.
.
Muzzleloader
LOL

Oldtimr

I don't worry about the speed of chambering a 2nd round, the idea is to make the first one count.

archeryelk1

I agree a 100%, but that is the ultimate question the OP is asking about.

Oldtimr

No, that is not the ultimate question he ask about, he asked about the fastest handling gun. Fastest handling isn't about how fast you can shoot, it is about how fast you can get it on your shoulder, get the sight picture and shoot!