Use a marlin 30-30 for whitetail. Got a Horton TRT Ultralite crossbow and got my first deer with it this past fall. 12/20 gauge for birds or other small game when possible.
I have an old (1970s) Flite King 20 gauge. I don't hunt, except for vermin. I've killed possums, raccoons, a coyote, and a bobcat that were killing our chickens. I've also killed loads of gophers and a few moles defending my lawn.
When I was younger I owned a few guns, the nicest by far was a custom built 6mm with a Douglas "Bull" barrel and a Mauser bolt-action. The worst was a Makarov 9mm pistol - you would be lucky to hit a soda can at ten feet with that little piece of junk...
I love shooting I have
super black hawk 357mag
s&w38 snub
s&w 38
Taurus raging bull 44mag
berreta 22 eos
s&w m&p15-22
Mossberg 702
and my latest addy XMD 45acp comp 5.25
12 G 870 Express
12 G SPT Special Purpose Turkey Edition Camo
28 G Franchi
12 G Mossberg SPX 930
.45 Kimber Pro Covert II
.45 Kimber Ultra Carry II
HD 150 Explorer Crossbow
On the way - Beretta Silver Pigeon .410
On the way - .500 S&W