My first few deer were taken with a .30-06. Then switched to a .243 for several years. This year, I'm using a 7mm Rem. Mag. with Remington's Managed Recoil ammo. All Remington 700's. Next year, I'll likely go back to the .243... Or, I just might use an M1A .308 on a buck, and an AR15 .223 on a doe, or two...