25-06
243
30-30

.30-06 for one reason. I inherited one and am comfortable with them since that is what I have shot most of my life. One other reason, when I go somewhere and leave my ammo at home, or run out at the end of the year, anyplace that sells ammo will have some. That should be a consideration, not to the extreme like I say, but ease of finding ammo and a variety of loads, bullet types, etc. is something to keep in mind. Plus, if you ever go out west for large game, it will work fine there too.

I love a .25-06 and those that have them haven't complained that I've heard.

My son killed more deer with a .243 than anything. If I found one that I really liked, I'd have no problem making it my go to.

Same here.

257 Roy.

It's good here and everywhere else.

Probably the most popular will be 7-08 or 308. And I'd have to agree.

243 has been working well for me but if you get into either shoulder you probably won't get a pass through very often. The internal damage is significant though.

25-06 or 308 is my favorite.

308

.308 and Barnes TTSX. I hand load 130 grains bullets for mine but their factory loads are great also.

Tikka T3 stainless in .243

Might just stick with it.

I must disagree with this gunsmith. We shoot the nosler 130 gr ABs and it will cut its own hole.

Shot those exact same bullets in a tikka .260 and could barely get 1.5" shot a Winchester power point in the same gun and got under 1" so its pretty subjective but I have heard others that own 260's say the same thing that the guns are picky.

Same here. We picked up a Ruger Predator .260rem not to long ago and haven't found a factory load it won't shoot. I'll probably reload for it as well since it is so much fun to shoot.

25/06 or .270 I have both. 270 DRT. 25/06 big deer run 50 yds if you shoot behind the shoulder...in the neck not so much!

.270 best all around caliber. I shoot 30/30, 308, 7mm, 243, 223, 257and my .270 is the best for green patches. I use the 30/30 in the woods in my climber, 7mm for powerlines and clearcuts with long shots.

270 and 3006 are my favorites

30-06 has been my go-to since I started hunting and has never failed me for anything within 400 yards. I have done most of my hunting with a 300blk AR the last few years and it has done everything asked of it within 200 yards and I haven't had to look for an animal yet. I used a 25-06 for a few years but the 100gr corelokts it shot to 3/4moa just would not reliably exit. I never could find a heavier factory round that would group in that rifle.
Honestly, unless you are going to regularly hunt powerlines and cottonfields there are few chamberings that aren't as good, in practical use with appropriate ammo, as any other non-magnum load. If I were to start again the short action 308 would likely be my top choice.

Your 7mm will do what you want for it to. Id say if your getting a pencil whole its the ammo. That being said my main deer gun is a 25-06

.270

30-06 end of story