Great choice for both types of hunting. You can load a 120 for deer. And an 87 for varmints. The caliber is based on a tried and true frame(30-06). I also like the 6.5X284 for both jobs. It is similar to the 260 Remington. Which is another great round. Insted of buying two rifles and scopes, just buy one high quality rifle and scope, and do not look back. Tom.