ORIGINAL: 45/70 Govt.
With a vital shotfrom a magnum under 100 yards, deer tend to drop in their tracks, I have seen it countless times, and anyone who wants to talk about the 30-30 being a better rifle than a magnum can send a PM my way.
Ithink a 30-30 is better than a magnum in the woods when a magnum is not needed. Why do you want a long baralled cannon when a smooth easily handling rifle can do the job. The closest thing I own to a magnum is a .270 winchester, and I still prefer the 30-30 when I am fighting branches and brush to get to my stand in the woods. I have situations when the .270 is called for, but I never feel handicapped when I am in the woods with the Marlin.
I can't imagine a bullet failing at 30-30 velocities, but if by some chance you find one that does then try my favorite which is just the plain jane Winchester Power Point. I have never had a penetration problem on whitetails and all I have ever usedis the 150 gr. bullet.
C. Davis