RE: Favorite caliber and load for whitetails....
I have two:
My first gun, a Glenfield .30-30 Winchester with 170 gr. Remington Core-Lokts.
My Father's gun, a Model 94 .32 Winchester Special with Super-X 170 gr. Power points.
I was told as a young boy to (1) never sell your first gun, and (2) never sell any of your Father's guns.... very good advice, and I'm glad that I listened -- it's true.