If you are just talking deer, a 30-06 is still much more than you need....Drop on down to a .243 and you will have no problems...Too many guys flinch and will never admit it...That's why they miss a deer here and there...Never seem to figure it out, because they don't find the deer, they can't tell where they hit it...With a smaller caliber, you will enjoy practicing more, so you will become a better shot...When you pull the trigger you should know where that shot went, every time...Its not thunder that kills....Its lightning......