Well, after reading all the replies up till now, I have to agree that the 25-06 is a great cal. for what you wish to hunt, but I just simply have to recommend the 7mm-08. Recoil similar to the .243, and a great selection of bullet weights if you wish to reload. I have killed deer with just about any cal. you have seen metioned on here, and they all died dead quick. However, the 7-08 I currently use I feel will be my "go-to" deer gun from now on. It just gets the job done with less recoil, weight and load development. It aloso shoots most factory ammo at a reasonably acceptable degree for deer-sized game. I carried and shot a7 Mag for years. No more. Good luck with your choice...