I agree with elkman30 about the recoil pad. I don't like recoil and have a limbsaver on my 30-06, it cushions the recoil to a point that it is not noticeable. I will not shoot at a game animal(deer only) past 300 yards measured with a range finder and a 3-9 Leupold scope. If the deerl is moving I usually do not shoot unless they are very close. Tracking down a wounded deer is not my cup of tea.
My son has a 25-06 Marlin bolt action(X7?), he loves it. He also only uses it for deer hunting.