Well, opinion discussions are always fun.
I've hunted deer with a Marlin 336 levergun in .35 Remington for quite awhile now. I'm in the process of going to a bolt-action, just because I'd like to be confident at slightly longer ranges.
I have to say that I think the importance of fast follow-up shots, at least in deer hunting, can be exaggerated. If you place your first shot reasonably well, most kills will be one shot. Maybe it's just me, but I like to try to make that first shot count, so I wait for a broadside or quartering shot, with the animal standing still or barely moving. I know some people shoot at walking or running deer, but I'm not confident enough about shot placement to try that. I guess what I'm saying is that my goal is to put that first shot right in the vitals, not hope to make up for missing it by firing more rounds.
So, for me, practice is essential. I feel I owe the deer a clean, quick death, and that's insured by making the first bullet the priority. Can you have both? Maybe so. The pumps, autos, and leverguns can be accurate, I'm sure. But I like simplicity too, since I'm subject to "buck fever" just like everyone else. Right ATM I'm thinking a bolt is the right rifle for me.
I have to say that I think the importance of fast follow-up shots, at least in deer hunting, can be exaggerated. If you place your first shot reasonably well, most kills will be one shot. Maybe it's just me, but I like to try to make that first shot count, so I wait for a broadside or quartering shot, with the animal standing still or barely moving. I know some people shoot at walking or running deer, but I'm not confident enough about shot placement to try that. I guess what I'm saying is that my goal is to put that first shot right in the vitals, not hope to make up for missing it by firing more rounds.
So, for me, practice is essential. I feel I owe the deer a clean, quick death, and that's insured by making the first bullet the priority. Can you have both? Maybe so. The pumps, autos, and leverguns can be accurate, I'm sure. But I like simplicity too, since I'm subject to "buck fever" just like everyone else. Right ATM I'm thinking a bolt is the right rifle for me.