John,

The 7-30 is great whitetail gun. I'm adding the 44 to my arsenal but the 7-30 is my primary deer gun. I hunted with a 7mm mag for years in open country and yes it will kill them a long way out there but he 7-30 is plenty of gun for deer inside of 250 yards. It puts them down just as quick as you need, it is accurate, and easy to shoot. I say this with hesitation but I had 4 witnesses. I killed a crow on the ground at a stepped off 380 yards. Now I'm not saying I could ever do it again but the little gun will shoot. It will remain my primary deer gun as I hunt the northwoods where 200 yards is the longest shot you probably will every get.