Frank,
For the type of hunting I do, I will go as far to say that it is the best gun.
That being said, you are right, I am limited to that type of hunting if I want to get all the benefits that I talked about in my post. I just happen to hunt that way most of the time, and I grab the Marlin every time without giving it much thought.
I think I had a nightmare one time about having to be limited to one gun, and which one it would be. My answer would be 30-30 marlin, and .270 bolt action, and my .50 cal. Hawken... I just refuse to be limited to one.

Now, If I were to recommend one gun for someone who could stand to only have one, I would tell them that they could get by with a .270 for all of their Whitetail needs.

Living in the great state of Texas as I do, offers a wide variety of whitetail hunting. I every now and then get to make it over to the hill country in Llano county, and under those circumstances the Marlin goes along for moral support, but the .270 gets to do all the work.

Frank, I know you know were Kountze Texas is. That is where I live. I drive to Beaumont to work every day. You should drive up sometime and see my 10 point I shot last year on our land off of Hwy.326 between Kountze and Sour Lake. Just got him back from the taxedermist. He was no match for the Marlin at 15 yards away.

C. Davis