As others said, its all in where and how ya hunt! Hunting a in a thick area where most shots are under 50yds and 100 is max, a 30-30, 35 Rem or even 444 Marlin in a short, handy lever gun may be the ticket. Carry that same chambering in an open area and you may be at a disadvantage!
I do not own A short range deer rifle. I like a rifle that works at 12 yds, feet! < EDIT ----(my closest kill) out to 400 yds. That’s my comfort confidence distance. Many rifle/cartridges combos would fill that scenario.
MY, repeat MY, choice as best deer cartridge is 7mm RM in my Tikka T3X SS Lite. I’m 70 y o and my choice is the result from deer hunting since 1972 with A LOT of diff rifle/cartridges.
