Ryncam,

If your hunting in thickly wooded areas like I am, it's my opinion that a 30-06 is more than you need. Don't misunderstand me, it's a fine triedcartridge, but as someone who dislikes recoil I don't feel it's worth enduring discomfort at the bench to ultimately take a deer that is going to be 10 to 100 yards away from you. My first centerfire deer rifle was a savage 110 .270 win and I have never before or since hated a gun as much as that one. A typical range session left me flinching, missing, and with a bruised shoulder. I endured this rifle from the time I was 15 until I was 22 when I picked up a sporterized Swedish Mauser. My performance at the range improved drastically. I've never shot a deer myself, so obviously take my advice with a grain of salt, but it doesn't seem like it matters much what you hit a deer with at close range (exluding .22 rimfires of course) if the bullet hits what it needs to, the animal will die. Once again, I have nothing against the 30-06 or even harder kicking classes of rifles. If the recoil doesn't bother you and you can shoot well with it, great. Personally, I shoot and hunt because it's fun. A rifle that hurts me, makes it less fun.