In the Northeast it is easier to carry a 30-30 carbine through the woods than a 30-06. Most of your shots will be inside 100 yards, and many tales are told of taking Moose and Black Bear with 30-30. I'd bet on a skilled hunter with a 30-30 over a less skilled hunter with a 30-06 around these parts anyways; regardless of the game involved.
In the upper peninsula of Michigan, 00 buck could kill most of the deer I saw. Moving to a plains state was an eye opener.
Every area has its own challenges and the answers for one area don't work in another necessarily. I'd pay money to watch someone hunt elk in the rockies from a blow boat. (Air boat for you drylanders)
Keep in mind that deer vary very much in terms of size and with from one region to another, and the ranges at which they are taken vary immensely.
They also vary from year to year as the story is told. Also, western count they only count one side of the rack. Good old regional variations. As for Key deer, I've seen bigger German Shepherds.
My deer rifle for living in New England was my 35 Remington. When I moved south I expected to use the same rifle for deer, except the deer down here are maybe half the size. Haven't had a hunting season here yet.
Not to be confused with the Winchester .32 Special. I get you on not admiring lever guns. I do admire them, in part because of their American heritage and western "feel". I am partial to the Model 94. The gun that I identify as least admirable, and it is strictly in one's taste, would be the slide or pump action rifle. Pump shotguns are a different matter. Your point about how many deer might have "gotten away" is an interesting one. I would suppose that only each individual hunter or those who have harvest previously wounded animals would have any idea, and then in that - not collectively. Just discussion some of your very interesting points. Thanks.
