The guy that bought it took it Elk hunting and went for a week and didn't see one stinking Elk.
Deer hunting it isn't, for sure; however, ditching the rifle won't solve the problem.
Not uncommon, what happened to your friend,
Hope he wasn't up there target practicing due to boredom.
Only 25-35% are successful.
IMHO, the battle is won 6 months, 6 weeks, 6 days, and 6 hours before sunrise the opening morning.