My favorite is my trusty old Ruger M-77 in 7x57 Mauser.Low recoil and It's proven itself on all game throughout the world for MANY years.

Same reason here in Illinois. I'll shoot my muzzleloader over my slug gun anytime.

browning ablot 243 wssm because thats what my dad bought me

30-06. All the deer I have killed with it dropped right there or not far from there. This year only one ran a little ways. Maybe 25 yards?

The only thing I don't like about it is the bullet trajectory. With the ammo I use for it the bullet drops 37.8 inches at 500 yards. This ends up not being a major issue for me because I've been shooting it for years. But, I want to buy something that shoots flatter just because.

.30-'06 Savage 111.

The main reason for a Savage is that I am left handed and wanted a bolt action. Savage has always been able to deliver affordable left-handed bolt guns.

Also, I started hunting when in college and planned on grad school. I needed a rifle that was economical and I knew I wouldn't be able to buy another gun if a hunting trip for something besides whitetails presented itself. A .30-'06 offered the versatility and also gave a wide variety of shells at reasonable prices.

It turned out to be the right choice for the situation. It's still the only rifle I own and, frankly, will probably never need anything else.

X2!
I've went through the "magnumitis" stage, using a 7MM RM, good, but a little overkill!
I am also partial to my .308, and if I could keep only one gun, the .308 would be it!
The .243 does everything you'd ever want done on Whitetails! With less recoil!

You can't use rifles for deeranywhere in Iowa or just where you hunt? I didn't know it was a slug gun only state.

I have my Grandads Savage 30-30 supersporter. Wonderfully accurate and has sentimental value too. He took his last buck with it and I took my 1st.
April

I also hunt with a243 Win. My dad bought it for me the second year I went hunting and I've used it since. I think he chose this one because of recoil. I really like it cause of the flat shooting and also use it for groundhogs.

I usually hunt with a bow but when I do use a rifle it depends. In open country I use my 7mm mag (winchester) 150 or 180 gr.... In heavily wooded areas its the open sighted 30-30....