Smith & Wesson went back to the lever gun with the Model 1854, a modern rifle that nods to the brand's very early history. It is chambered in .30-30 Winchester, the old standby for whitetail in thick timber.

The .30-30 has a long track record. It shoots flat enough for woods ranges, kicks softly and is available at almost any store that sells ammunition. A lever rifle in that caliber is the traditional deer gun of the hardwoods, handy to carry and fast to point. Take your time loading and unloading until the routine is second nature. Spend an afternoon at the range with it before you count on it, so you know how it handles and where it shoots.

Smith & Wesson is better known for revolvers and pistols, so a lever rifle from them is a bit of a surprise. It gives hunters one more choice when shopping for a new brush gun.

Put a low-power scope on it or stick with iron sights, and you have an all-around hunting rifle for deer, hogs and coyotes. The rifle ships to your local FFL dealer, who handles the background check.