I own or have owned almost all of the popular calibers listed so far. Almost everything I use for hunting is as light as I can make it. I would have to say the .300 Savage bolt action I have is the lightest recoiling rifle of the bunch, when using factory ammo. All the others are fine choices for deer, but recoil wise I would have to say the .300 Savage has the least. Someone mentioned the 7-30 waters. I have a spare barrel for one of my 99s in 7-30 Waters and it is most unimpressive, better off with a 30-30.