Crimson Tide,
For Deer? I understand that unless your deer are a lot tougher than most, everything you own will work, but sometimes you just WANT a louder noise! If you had to justify different guns, you might have only a '06 in the safe. Not much it won't do here in the lower 48 for most people.
If you reload for that '06 and have to get projectiles, I'd look at a fast 30. The .300 WSM is a good accurate round and the 300RUM is also a good choice. I have the 300RUM and I really enjoy it for shooting and hunting. I reload for it , not hard at all. Loaded moderately, fired from a 26" 700BDL with the new Remington squishy pad installed, the recoil is tolerable. Going to hunt plains game in Africa, it is my choice because I shoot it well and it will do what I need there.
A .338 class gun could be fun, I considered it recently. If I was to get another gun, I might jump up a notch and get a .375H&H. though I'd probably never get the chance to hunt with it. Why? Because I can.
Or I want to.
If I had to justify my guns based on need, I'd have to sell most of them!
Have fun and enjoy what ever you get!
