First deer I ever shot was with a Marlin .222. Heavy SOB, but that thing will shoot! Then for high school graduation Dad got me a 7mm08 and that thing is a deer killing machine. Between then and now I've used about every rifle that we have and killed deer with them all. .243,.308, 30-06, 25-06, 30-30,6.5x55 Swede and 6.5 Creedmor. Still have to get one with the 8mm and the .35 Remington. My two favorites thought are the 7-08 and the Swede.