When I get to hunt whitetails again I will use a vintage Remington Model 788 in .308 Winchester. I have other choices but that's my go to rifle.
Everyone likes pictures.
This was the rifle before my 2018 fire.
I loved that inexpensive Nichols scope. The scope on there now was given to me and it's way bigger and more powerful and way more than I'll ever need, especially since I won't hunt long distance.
I agree that a backup rifle is essential unless you only own one rifle. I never went into the deer woods with just one gun.
This was typically my back up gun:
I took some deer with that .30-30 M 94 but it was mostly because I wanted the challenge of the peep sight on there instead of the scope.