Tough choice, but I opt for the 06
I have shot many deer with many rifle cartridges, ranging from the .30 US carbine up to the .375 H&H. However, the most deer have been shot with the 06 (somewhere around 20). Why? For me, this cartridge offers a choice of bullets suitable for open range hunting (150-165 grain bullets) to those required for hunting overgrown thickets (220 grain). Additionally, with all these bullets the 06 delivers adequate performance without severe recoil.