I use a 30-06 for anything, but I wont shoot thru trees. Wait for a good shot if not for any other reason then do it for the sake of the deer. I dont call any gun a brush gun. I call my 7mm saum my "field gun", my 6.5x55 my "all purpose" gun and my 45-70 my "stalking thickets" gun but I dont shoot any of them thru brush at deer.