I wonder why everyone is overlooking the most reliable and proven deer round ever, the 30-30. These are some of the most accurate Handi rifle barrels out there. Recoil is low and 130 yard shots are not a problem either when sighted at 100 yard zero. However if the larger game issue were to arise, then the 30-06 is definitely an all around caliber, and has a history of being an accurate caliber in the Handis also. Just wouldn't want to use one if I knew shots were going to be 25 yards or under. Some of the bow stands that we set up here in the early season are in the thick stuff and are specifically designed for shots no longer than 25 yards, but in rifle season we hunt them sometimes too.