The 25-06 is hard to beat for what you are seeking. I have had great success with it for Varmits and deer. The best part it that the 25-06 will perform both tasks very well with just one bullet weight. The 100 grain will do it all. I loaded the 120 grains one season then went back to the 100 grain. I think all 25 caliber rifles do best with a good 100 grain bullet. The one exception is the 257 Weatherby. For that one I would use the 115-120 grain bullets. The Barnes X bullet in 100 grain should work in the Weatherby but standard bullets good be a little fragil for deer size game.