.25-35 or .30-30?

[Rocky Raab]

You left out the best choice of all, possibly because it may be new to you: the 7-30 Waters. It gives about 20% better ballistics than the triente-triente, but with about 20% LESS recoil. It's an honest 200-yard cartridge for deer, a great called-in predator gun, and even a more than passing varminter.

Factory ammo isn't everywhere, but it's certainly more available than .25-35. I'll assume you're a reloader and tell you that making 7-30 cases from .30-30 is a snap; just size, seat bullet and go. Fireforming blows the shoulder out and forward easy as pie with a rimmed round.

Best of all, with the 99's rotary mag, you can use the superb Nosler 120 Ballistic Tip or any other pointed bullet. Best of all worlds!