My current go-to is a Bergara Woodsman in 7-08. I really think it is the perfect balance of performance and flexibility.
That being said, this season I’m going to try out a Winchester 94 (30-30) that was my wife’s grandad’s. It had been sitting in a cabin closet in really bad shape; Damaged stock, lots of rust, dirt, and grime. I spent a bunch of time refurbishing it. I’m hoping to get it ready in time for gun season this fall.
When I can rifle hunt.270 Winchester. For factory loads I favor Hornady American Whitetail, 130 grain.
Here in southern Michigan we are limited in firearm selection to muzzleloader, shotgun or straight walled cartridges. I've been having good luck with a .450 bushmaster. Probably over gunned for sure, but put through the lungs there is little meat loss.
For Whitetail, I have been liking the 25-06.
For all around, I like the 7mm Rem Mag.
But these are my only dedicated hunting guns, so haven't used many other calibers for hunting.
I used a 30-06 for about 16 years and shotguns before that. They always worked. I needed to by a new one 3 years ago and went with the 6.5 creedmoor. I'm definitely not the typical trend follower but I shot one and there is no recoil and they are accurate. Mine loves 140sst's under moderate charges. 1 Shot kill and recovered inside of 40yds of impact dozens of deer and a few bear now. A lot more fun to shoot than the trusty shoulder thumping 30-06.
I haven't killed a deer in quite a while and I voted for the 7mm family but the .270 and 7mm Rem have done most of my dirty work. If I was to start over the 6.5 Creed would be on my shortlist mainly because
a) I don't like recoil anymore (too old)
b) Our Texas whitetails of the Hill Country variety don't weigh a whole lot on the hoof. If I was hunting bigger deer then I would want my old Rem 700 SS in 7mm Rem back. That rifle was one I should have never sold but divorces will do that to you.....
I’ve used a little bit of everything. Some I like more than others. Started out with a 357 lever gun, went to a 30-06 for several years. Eventually got a 270, then a 308, 243, and a 223. I wasn’t excited about the smaller calibers. Got a 280, 7-08, 25-06 and now a 300wm. I know for sure the win mag is overkill. I didn’t buy it to just hunt with. But my favorites so far have been the 7mm calibers.
Hard to pick a favorite child. After some soul searching I chose .308 and .311 so 30cal it is. I use all kinds of rifles but ultimately I find I hunt with two 308s and a 7.62x39 the most.
I honestly couldn’t decide so I voted 243 Win since that’s what I killed my last deer with. The great thing about whitetails is that nearly any weapon will work! I’ve shot them with 22lr, 22wmr, 223 REM, 243 Win, 7/08 Rem, 7RM, 30/30, 308 Win, 300WSM, 300WM, 338/06, 338WM, 12ga, 50cal MZ, and arrows.
Honestly, which gun to take has always been part of the fun’s over the years. And before anyone wonders about the smaller cartridges, yes it was legal and they were close range head shots. And devastating results. As a younger hunter, I though there was no such thing as overkill. Now I like challenge over success. To each there own!
My favorite whitetail cartridge is the 7mm-08. I enjoy using different (new toys) as the mood strikes though. This year taking a 6.5-300 WBY along to MT to hopefully hook up with a whitetail.
.338 Jarrett for elk, moose and bears. .375HH for bears
..30/06 for deers and elk. Hell until about 5 years ago the 06 was my light rifle. But I’ve seen the light.