One thing is obvious from all the replies. There is a ton of stuff out there that just plain works.

Within its limits. I've killed more deer with a 243 than all my other cartridges combined but I have to limit the shots I take more with a 243 that I do with a 7 mag.

For years I've always used my 30-06 on deer and elk. 150 grain for deer and 165 grain for elk, all Barnes TSX reloads.

Ruger Hawkeye in 338 federal, winchester big bore in 375, or

Lyman great plains percussion in 54 cal

Those were pretty sweet rifles.

Wanted one in 300 Wby since I first saw them in the early 90s as my "bad weather/ bad terrain" gun. Stumbled into a MkV Alaskan instead.

I still check out every KS I come across.

375H&H in a Winchester M70 Stainless Express.

In 1977 my future wife sealed the deal by giving me a Ruger 77V in .243.

I have used it for deer across 4 states and it has never left me down.

It's also one of my favorite crow rifles.

WS

Browning BBR in 25-06. First year of production. Sort of ugly but a real shooter that can reach out.

All I have for deer rifles is my ol Savage Axis .243 Winchester so that's my go to

Are you handloading? if so what powder are you using?

A 7mm08 since 1984.
Rem 788, Tikka T3, and a Rem 700 classic.

.

About 10 years ago I stumbled onto it big brother. The same rifle in 375 H&H at a really good price. It lives in my safe next to the 300 now.

This makes sense when I looked at your location.

I've read this whole thread and my vote for coolest deer gun is the Ruger #1, I don't remember who said it but that is a cool rig as a go to rifle

264 Win Mag

CFE 223, but the hornady black shoots well also.

My go to deer rifle is a Ruger No 1 in .45-70.
50th Anniversary model from 1999 with Circassian walnut and is factory engraved with gold filling.
Leupold scope.
Yes, it is a badaxx rifle.
Extremely effective on big bucks.

Also have a No 1 in .45-70 in standard blue and walnut.
Also have a No 1 in .45-70 stainless and high grade walnut. LOL

Though I use a 6.5 Grendel when taking my short hunts in the deep woods. Due to my health I mostly glass the timbered ridges where strenuous walking is not required. There my favorite. rifle is an AR10 chambered in 6.5 creedmoor. Though it runs out of steam for deer hunting at around 700 yards, it will bang steel at 1100 yards all day long. I have rifles that have taken deer at beyond a grand but I have confidence in this rifle that most folks can't comprehend. If I dial it up 28 MOA the impact moves 28 MOA without fail.

123gr sst in 6.5 grendel

never tried them in the Grendel, never liked them in anything else, too fragile.