i have a 30-06, .270 savage, .300 savage, and a marlin 30-30 (that is out of commission right now) and to be honost with you, i've taken more deer with that darned ole 30-30 than any of the other guns combined. I must admit that the 30-30 is my first choice. But then again, it depends on what type of terrain you are hunting in. open fields, brush, woods??? i hunt the mountains where is thick brush and and woods. in my oppionion that is the best gun for my kind of hunting because i usually don't get a shot at more than 75 yards away.