ORIGINAL: wyotimberghost
For my money, I'd buy a Remington Model 700 Mountain LSS chambered in 7mm-08. It's a handsome rifle, it only weighs 6.5 pounds, and the 7mm-08 is an excellent cartridge.
Great rifle, anything with the remington stamp i think is good. (with the exception of the 740/7400's) Any one i have ever shot hit true and will hold a inch or less with factroy ammo. Reloading for them is even better. I have an ADL in 7mm Rem Mag and i will put one hole in the paper at 100 yds. (3 shoot grouping) And i have tested the gun out to 400 yds and hold 1/2 moa.
As for the cartridge, any 30-06 or 308 based rounds seem to work well. I like the regular .308 win and/or the 7mm/.08. I really like the 7mm projetiles and the hold great energy at slighly higher speed. Also, the 25.06 is one bad boy as well. And never count out the 30.06. With todays recoil compesation, shooting heavy recoiling guns is much easier and more pleasurable. My 7 mag loaded with 68 gr of imr 4831 is not too bad at all to shoot with the recoil pad.
Final note; If i was in the market for another deer rifle, especially the area/type of hunting you are looking for, i would get this exact set up:
Rifle: Remington 700 SPS
Cartridge: 7mm.08
Scope: Nikon Prostaff 3-9X50mm
LOWER BUDGET
Rifle: Remington 700 CDL or Mountain variant
Cartridge: 7mm.08
Scope: Nikon Monarch 4-16X42
HIGHER BUDGET