encore 25-06, 120 gr positive expansion. Blows a hole for a blood trail and shoots flat. Last year my son shot a good buck and buried under the hide in the off shoulder after blowing about 3 inches of bone out of the other shoulder. Went less than 20 yards. Truth is there is no best caliber for everyone. I like low recoil and a good trajectory but a lot of recoil won't bother the next guy so he can have the short mags if he wants them.