I carry a .30-30 pretty much every year. I also carry a .44 mag lever, a .243, a 7.62X54 Nagant, and a .30-06. I've got deer with all except for the Nagant. And they were all just as dead. I enjoy carrying the levers, and am currently looking for a .357/.38 lever to carry. When I get serious about shooting a deer I usually have my .30-06. But just for an enjoyable day in the woods, I will typically grab a lever action.
-Jake