The first one I hunted with was my father's 30-30, and then my grandpa's 30-30.

The first rifle I ever bought was a 7mag. I don't even hunt with that rifle anymore. It performs well on deer, but not any better than my 308 or 30-06, and it is much, much louder.

The last rifle I bought was a 308. I do most of my hunting with it now....little recoil, not excessively loud, very accurate, and hammers deer like lightening.