Truth be told, it doesn't take all that much to kill a whitetail or a mule deer. I mean, really, the guns our fathers and grandfathers hunted with are still every bit as capable now as they were then.

But if we went by that logic, we'd all own just one rifle, one shotgun and one handgun--and life would be much a lot less interesting.

So on the following pages we picked out some of the notable new introductions or updated versions of guns and optics that will appeal to deer hunters everywhere. Enjoy. -- The Editors

RIFLES
Browning A-Bolt Mountain Ti

Browning has added three new calibers to its titanium A-Bolt Mountain Ti--.243 Win., .308 Win. and 7mm-08--that make this lightweight beauty a perfect deer gun. The rifle weighs just 5 1/2 pounds, thanks to the titanium receiver. The action is glass-bedded and the stainless steel barrel is free-floated. The camo graphite stock incorporates Dura-Touch nonslip coating. The rifle has an adjustable trigger and Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad. Price: from $1,640. Contact Browning, 800/333-3288, www.browning.com.

Marlin Model 336XLR

Marlin's Model 336XLR is designed to capitalize on Hornady's new .30-30 LEVERevolution ammo. As such, it features a longer 24-inch Ballard-rifled stainless steel barrel and action. The laminated stock has a full pistol grip, and the drilled and tapped solid-top receiver has side ejection and an adjustable folding semi-buckhorn rear sight. The tubular magazine holds five rounds. Price: $874. Contact Marlin Firearms, 800/544-8892, www.marlinfirearms.com.

Remington Model Seven CDL

Remington's Model Seven rifle is now available in the classically styled CDL American walnut, straight comb stock with right-hand cheekpiece, black fore-end tip and grip cap, cut checkering and a satin finish--in standard and short-action magnum offerings. The target crowned barrel is 20 inches long for standard calibers, 22 inches for magnums. The metalwork has a non-glare, satin blued finish, plus there is a jeweled bolt handle, hinged-floorplate magazines, sling swivel studs and R3 recoil pad. Price: from $769. Contact Remington, 800/243-9700, www.remington.com.

Sako 85 Grey Wolf

Sako's Grey Wolf offers controlled-round feed and other improvements over the M75 series. It has a laminated wood stock, and the barrel and action are stainless steel. As with all Sako 85 models, the Grey Wolf features a match-grade, cold-hammer-forged barrel that is free-floated and hand-crowned at the muzzle. The trigger is adjustable from two to four pounds, and the stainless steel magazine is detachable. Price: not available. Contact Beretta USA, 301/283-2191, www.berettausa.com.

Savage Model 11FHNS

Savage has added a hinged-floorplate action to its Hunter Series, which will come as good news to those who favor that over the company's traditional internal box magazine or its detachable mags. The 11FHNS is a short-action rifle featuring the AccuTrigger and a free-floated, button-rifled barrel. Available in a variety of calibers, stock choices and magazine choices. Price: $526. Contact Savage Arms, 866/233-4776, www.savagearms.com.

Weatherby Vanguard Deluxe

Weatherby has spruced up its economy Vanguard line with a Deluxe model that features a high gloss Monte Carlo walnut stock with maplewood spacers and rosewood fore-end tip. A polished action and high gloss blued metalwork enhance its looks. The rifle boasts an adjustable trigger; a one-piece, forged, fluted bolt body; machined receiver; and and easy-to-see cocking indicator. Available in .270 Win., .30-06, .257 Wby. Mag. and .300 Wby. Mag. Price: $865. Contact Weatherby, 805/466-1767, www.weatherby.com.