My personal fav for whitetails is my 7mm-08. It is so accurate and the recoil is so light! But regardless of what my fav or anyone else's fav is, you have to find your own fav. Anything from 243 to 30-06 will work great for deer. I think the magnums are a little unneccessary...why put up with that recoil and muzzle blast? You dont need it! Like most people are saying, get something you can shoot confidently and accurately, and then get to know and love your rifle...make it your best friend, and she will never let you down, as long as you dont let her down. Practice with it and get to know it....and good luck!

PigDog