I've been hunting with my Ruger Mark II bolt action in 308 for several years now and have been real happy with it's performance for accuaracy and how devastating it is on deer.

I recently checked out out the Tikka bolt actions, and they are quite impressive with a real smooth action. When I buy another hunting rifle it will be a Tikka, now I'll just have to figure out what caliber

Tis'nt the deer alive that can tell you the difference between the two calibers. The 06 outshines the 308 only when talking about bullets over 165 grains and on animals larger than caribou.

Both are fine cailbers and either gun is likewise a "quality piece"!
RA

.308, all the way. The difference in velocity and trajectory is so slight that you can't notice it except off of a bench.

And the .308 isn't? It's the number 1 sniper round used today. Amazingly accurate in a hunting round out to 300 yards or better. Snipers making shots out to 1200 meters with handloads. Military has been using the round for many years. I bought my first .308 this year and wish I had done it sooner. Started rifle hunting with a 30/06 in 1984 when I was 15. It's a great all around gun, but if I was try to pick between the 2, I would go with the .308 again.
As for a round that has killed more deer than any other, I would have to guess it would be the 30/30. That would be my gun to settle for if I had to give up all the rest.

The answer is a 7mm/08. Light recoil and a big hitter. You already have a 7 Mag....no need for the 30/06.

But b/w the two you mentioned...the .308 gets my vote.

About half the number of years that the .30-06 has been around.

Like I said, both are more than capable of doing the job. I just recognize certain advantages to the .30-06; these are simply my preferences.

P.S. Please give me details on the source of your 1,200 meter handloaded .308 shot figure.

You can't go wrong here flip a coin. For deer only I would opt for the 308. Little less recoil plenty of ME for deer and elk.

You are 100% correct the .308 is the most common sniper round. Almost every sniper rifle set up I have seen is .308 including the team I'm on.

I love my .308 for people, but for whitetail I have to agree that the 30-06 is a better choice.

You have many more types of bullets to choose from and more energy.

Excellent advice. Something else to think about is the 260 Rem. Since you already have a 7mm Mag (I assume its a 7mm Rem Mag) no harm in widening the gap a bit.

Both are great calibers that will not fail you. I will make my suggestion based on the rifles you mentioned. I have handled but not fired the Kimber. I have fired the Weatherby and I have handled but not fired the Sako. From my limited knowledge I would buy the Kimber. I love this rifle and the next time I add to my battery it will be the Kimber in 7MM-08.