The great thing about this topic is you never get a wrong answer and you get to keep searching for a better one, which means more rifles!!! My 25-06 has taken more deer than all of my other rifles combined. But I have been carrying my 7mm Weatherby Mag a lot lately in the stand. If I have to do a lot of walking I will take my 7mm Ultra Mag. When I go back home to hunt deer in Oklahoma where there is mostly open country, shooting across wheat fields, etc. and weight is not a factor, I take my custom bull barrel 7mm STW. If you havent figured out by now I am a big fan of the 7mm mags. With good bullets they dont mess up meat at short distance and if that 3-400 yard shot presents itself you have the power to get it done.