So far the 30-06 has been relyable. But when wife somes along (06 is her's) I tote the 12 ga. But somehow we don't see anything in range for the shotgun. This year I have a different plan though. Not hunting the opens like last year. I have close to 200 acres to hunt this year with maybe 4-5 other people on it all season. But they travel the opens on other rented land. So I'm gonna solo into the timber near my bow stand where I know theres a heap of deer. Take the gauge scope not much use in there.