For deer and hogs, I wouldn't recommend anythings that punishes more than required. I love the T-3, and one of the reasons is that it is so light. Light weight with heavy hitting cartidges = punishment. I would't consider anything above a .30-06, and would probably look at a .270 or .308 instead. Shells are common for any of these three choices. If you compare the ballistics of the .25-06 to the .270, you'll probably think the .270 is a better choice between the two.