Where are you hunting? You might be restricted in what you can carry. Back east, there are areas where you can only use slugs. Even if you can carry a rifle, there is nothing wrong with slugs if you are hunting in timber or if you will be shooting less than 100 yards.
A decent bolt action in 30-06 is good medicine for about any medium/large game in the states. Remington 700 has a good reputation.
I get most of my deer with a bumper attached to detroit steel.
I had to read 33 responses before some one had the intelligence to ask, "Where are you hunting?".
Thanks.