This is a really hard question to answer. Ive used many different rifles since i started hunting 13 years ago. Im 19 now.
Here isa list of what i have used.
[ul][*][align=left].250 savage[/align][*][align=left].243 savage[/align][*][align=left]30-30 winchester[/align][*][align=left]Browning 270[/align][*][align=left]Savave 270[/align][*][align=left]7 mm mag remington[/align][*][align=left]30-06 browning[/align][*][align=left]30-06 mossberg[/align][*][align=left]remington 308[/align][/ul]
out of all those im using a 30-06 right now. Thats my preferred gun. It has plenty of power to knock down a whitetail at a good distance shot if required. But, the 243, 250, and 270 can be a little more accurate. I didnt really like a 308 or 7mm. And the 30-30 does not shoot accurately enough for me.