I went on my first deer hunt last weekend, now I'm researching calibers for a deer rifle. I had borrowed a .223, and right before I got off the stand and left, I picked out a nice stump just to see how it shot (had never shot it before, the owner--honest guy--told me it was a tack driver), and was horrified at how 'tiny' it felt. Seemed like it wasn't sufficient to be pointing at a deer.

But anyway. I'm looking at a few calibers, okay, more than a few. Basically, here's the list I found appealing:

.270 WSM
.270
.308
7mm-08
7mm mag
And just about anything else

I want it to be pretty accurate out to a few hundred yards, and be suitable for mostly whitetail deer but possibly elk as well.

As far as recoil is concerned, I can shoot a 2 3/4 12ga skeet load all day and not mind it, and 3" turkey loads aren't a big deal. But I don't want something that will knock me out of the tree (I'm 6'1, and not a real big guy) .

Ideas? Also, what about the brand? I like the Winchester 700 and Remington 70, as well as the savage 10FP


thanks!

jonathan