(FYI the Sportsman 78 is a knock off version of the 700). 243, a Winchester Model 70 in 30-06, and an old Remington Sportsman 78 in. The best deer killers I have, in order of accuracy, a Ruger Mark 77 in. I’ve also killed a few with an M1 Garand. As a kid I killed a few with a pump action Remington 22 LR. However I’ve killed them with just about every rifle I’ve ever owned. or 30-06 and most were bolt action rifles. Over the years most of the deer I’ve killed fell to a shot from a. There are other times I won't pick the best fit for the deer rifle figuring something else will probably show up on a particular hunt! I really like shoot'N hogs with the 9.3 and coyotes with a SKS. If, for example, the hunt will be stalking, close-in and the deer possibly running - I pick an easy carry, quick pointing level action or a semi-auto (or maybe a straight pull bolt). I have other some purposely built rifles for different hunt situations. The difference isn't so much caliber but the rifle. I've killed deer with calibers from 270 to 9.3 and a bunch in between. This would be my recommendation for THE standard all-around deer rifle.Ī bolt action 270 Winchester with a scope! I'll start with all of'em lumped together: I have a pair of bolt action 270s that neither has required more than one shot for a dead deer and never lost one after pulling the trigger. I'm not sure what you are trying to "get-at" - Action, Caliber, Cartridge, 1 rifle, etc. How many different calibers and rifles have you used to take whitetail deer with.I know alot of guys are set on one action,one caliber what about you ?