Great choice, especially if you're going out West sometime.

If you were more serious about varmit hunting, I would suggest getting a 7mm Remington Magnum, the power is the same at close range in comparison to the '06, and the smaller bullet diameter makes it better for varmits.
And, at longer range, the 7mm has much better trajectory.

But for deer, I would get the 30-06, it's cheap, and is one ofthe best "Put 'em down fast", but in a standard cartridge.