Given that you're hunting in Texas where the deer are not known to be perticularly large or heavy, and that shots in many places in Texas can be rather long, my choice would definately be the .25-06. Make sure it has a 24" barrel to take full advantage of the cartridge since it's a touch overbore, and you should have a rifle that will be every bit as effective as the much harder kicking 7mm Mag at any rangeyoucan hit them at.

Now, if you really want a compact and ultra-light rifle, then I'd go withthe 7mm-08. It'll perform muchmore efficientlywith a 20-22" barrel, and being a short action cartridgeit'll mean a shorter, lighter action. It also doesn't kick much, and will still be very effective on deer at any reasonable range and would make for averycapable medium range elk rifle if you get the opportunity to hunt them.

Mike