Keep in mind that deer in Texas are pretty small. Also, depending on exactly where you'll be hunting, you may not be taking very long-distance shots.

Down here, people use 30-30's, .35 Rems, .243s, .270s, .30-06s, and just about any other caliber you care to name.

If you plan on hunting other stuff, it's generally easier to get something with more oomph and use lighter-powered rounds than it is to try to magnify the results from a smaller cartridge.

Anyway, I hope you're enjoying this can of worms you opened!