The 30-06 is the most popular and probably the best all-around hunting cartridge in the world. It will shoot through a 6" tree and still kill a deer standing behind it. That's one of the reasons it's great for deer hunting around wooded areas and within 350 yards.
I used the cartridge for about 30 years and found it is very flexible and powerful. Trajectory and energy, wind-bucking out to some pretty long ranges helps make it so popular.
I've use .22 Accelerators, 110, 125, 130, 150, 165, and a few 180s for various sports and game. It's never failed me, if I did my part. When using the proper bullet for the game, it doesn't damage any more meat than any of the cartridges listed. The Accelerators weren't a good round for me, but fun to blast water jugs, etc.
That said, I now prefer the .270 Win because we have a great ground blind location that provides clear shots out to 450 yards and have shot deer that far. The .270 provides a bit better long-range trajectory/point-blank range than the '06, but similar wound characteristics.
That's not to say that any of the cartridges in the list can't be used successfully; the question was what is the best? The best is really the 30-06. The .308 Win is fine, but isn't as good beyond 200 yards, due to worse trajectory and remaining energy.
I've killed deer with .22-250, 20 gauge slugs, 30-06, .270 Win and have seen deer killed with many other cartridges, including buckshot. I don't recall that recoil played a factor in any hunting shot, for anyone I know. That includes shooting groundhogs with an '06.
I used the cartridge for about 30 years and found it is very flexible and powerful. Trajectory and energy, wind-bucking out to some pretty long ranges helps make it so popular.
I've use .22 Accelerators, 110, 125, 130, 150, 165, and a few 180s for various sports and game. It's never failed me, if I did my part. When using the proper bullet for the game, it doesn't damage any more meat than any of the cartridges listed. The Accelerators weren't a good round for me, but fun to blast water jugs, etc.
That said, I now prefer the .270 Win because we have a great ground blind location that provides clear shots out to 450 yards and have shot deer that far. The .270 provides a bit better long-range trajectory/point-blank range than the '06, but similar wound characteristics.
That's not to say that any of the cartridges in the list can't be used successfully; the question was what is the best? The best is really the 30-06. The .308 Win is fine, but isn't as good beyond 200 yards, due to worse trajectory and remaining energy.
I've killed deer with .22-250, 20 gauge slugs, 30-06, .270 Win and have seen deer killed with many other cartridges, including buckshot. I don't recall that recoil played a factor in any hunting shot, for anyone I know. That includes shooting groundhogs with an '06.