The thing is the OP stated which for whitetails. Not best all around, and I will stick by the awe that a 25-06 brings to the table for whitetail deer. I have shot them with 30-30 my entire life. I have shot them with a .223, .32 H&R Magnum, 30-06, Shotgun. Nothing, and I mean nothing has inspired me to make such statements as a 25-06 on a deer. I know that it was my first two with the rifle, but to just boom boom and two down. Amazing. I am not trying to start a caliber war, but for me. I will pickup the 25-06 when it comes time to go to the woods. I feel sorry for my two 30-30s in the safe. Although I have a 5 year old daughter, and my son was born two weeks ago. The 30-30s will be theirs when time comes.
Now before anyone says .30s will boom boom as well. I know they will. I have no doubt that any rifle stated in this thread is KING of the woods with the owner holding the rifle. It is all about placement, but I had always heard stories of the 25-06 being a slayer, and dropping deer with any hit. Although my shots were very well placed. I have no doubt they the deer when hit were going down. Even if I had been off a little.
Let me tell you. Fist size holes going in. Total inhalation of organs. None. Notta. Zilch. Dead before their head hit the ground. No, blood shot meat. Bones were broken, tendons exploded. One bullet exited with a fifty cent piece hole. The other? I don't know. Who cares?
