Well, last year I killed my 160th deer and about 140 of those have been with a high powered rifle. I have used lots of calibers and it really is hard to go wrong. I've killed a couple with a 7mm-08 and it worked perfect. My brother has killed over 75 deer with his 7mm-08 in the last eight years (in South Carolina where there is no limit on bucks) and loves his. He had a 30-06 before his 7mm-08 and did just fine with it as well but the little 7mm-08 does the same job without all the fuss. By the way, my brother uses the regular old Remington Core-Lokts (140 grain) and loves the way they perform and kill deer. He's tried other brands including the Hornady SST 140 grain and was less than impressed.
About two-thirds of my deer have been killed with one rifle - a Remington model 700 in .264 Winchester magnum. This caliber is 6.5mm and is smaller than a .270 but larger than a 25-06. I shoot the 140 grain bullets and I have never found a round that kills deer quicker. It's like lightning struck them - there really is a difference between it and the other calibers I have used and that is why have continued to use it since 1986. I had a 25-06 before the .264 and killed eleven deer with it one year and most dropped in their tracks, but the ones that didn't left a very skimpy blood trail that was difficult to follow through thick swamps and brush. Prior to the 25-06 I owned two different .270's and both were very good.
Knowing how well my brother has done with his little 7mm-08, if I had to buy a rifle today I would probably pick one up. The short action is very handy and makes for a more compact rifle and that would make it much lighter than my .264. I also have a close friend that has killed well over 100 deer with a beat up old Reminton modell 788 in .308. You've picked some good caliber and really can't go wrong. Though I would personally shy away fromt the .243 I have buds that swear by them too.
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