The problem is people get led into believing they NEED a .270 or 30-06 to hunt deer with. When in actuality they are a bit overkill. Unless you intend on shooting long distances or larger animals they just are not needed. The honest to god truth is deer just are not that tough. They have lots of stamina and can run pretty far if they want to, but they are not a tough animal. It doesn't take much to lethally wound one or put a bullet through one if you hit in the right spot.

People kill deer regularly with traditional and modern muzzle loaders, shotguns, and large bore handguns. Quite a few states will not allow anything else, I live in one of them. They work quite well on deer at average distances from 50-150 yards and many can be pushed to 200 yards or so if you have the skill and the gun is accurate enough. The power is there for sure to kill an animal built like a deer.

A 30-30 at the same distances is more than enough, as is a .243 and a 25-06. If you live in an area that has thick cover I really can't think of a better weapon than a 30-30 or a .44 magnum lever action carbine. Probably not the best weapon if you live out west or where longer shots will be likely. Like 200 + yards at larger animals like mule deer or elk or something. You could probably still do it if you were a good marksman though.

If I could use centerfires where I live there are two guns that would be on my short list to purchase. A nice bolt action .243 and a marlin 30-30 lever action. Heck I would even be happy with a .357 lever gun actually.

My opinions anyway.

Paul