I think all those mentioned would do the job. A .223 was once thought to be too small. I use a 3006 myself, it is a good all-purpose caliber, and I sometimes use a 30-30 when I am on a 4 wheeler, I will not use it past 100 yards. For those other old timers, a 7X57 is a very good caliber as is the 6.5X55. They will get the job done with less kick. I once shot a deer with a 9X57 using 245 grain Kynoch soft points. It did the job, but the ammo is too expensive now. If I only had one gun, it would be a bolt 3006 with a scope.