I prefer guns. With guns at 100, I can take down a deathclaw without using a high damage weapon like the anti-materiel rifle. Sure, I could snipe a deathclaw from beyond sight distance. However, I prefer to have them charge me as my minigun is pumping 5mm AP rounds into their face.
Also, the riot gun is insanely effective against cazadors. I had three charge at me. I was only hit once before I downed them all. I think I reloaded twice. Is there an energy weapon that can do that?