My dad hunted out west most years when I was a kid. He killed Mulies Antelope and an elk most years with a 742 in 30-06. The people he hunted with used Win 100s in 308 and BARs in 300 Win mag. They all tagged out most years on public land. My dads 742 shot better than my 700. It always irritated me because semis are supposed to suck. I have shot some 7400s and 742s that didn't shoot well at all though.
I bought my wife an R1 Benelli in 30-06. Hers shoots good. Recoil is light and the trjgger is surprisingly good.
I watched a guy check the sights on 2 BARs one day and he shot them both twice. Bullet holes were touching at 100 yds.
There are good Semi autos out there.
When I was growing up almost everyone ran deer with dogs and used pumps levers or semi autos.
