RE: Perfect Deer Rifle
The more I think about it the more I think a Winchester model 100 semi. in 308 with a low power variable scope (2 to 7) might be close to the ideal compromise in deer rigs.
They are light and handy enough to swing on a close range, moving deer in the bush and yet should be accurate enough to handle a longer shot down a pipeline.(within reason). Some will say a lever action is just about as fast as a semi. so a win. model 88 might do just as well. That is what Milo Hanson used to shoot the #1 typical in Saskatchewan.