While I own and use numerous calibers/rifles/handguns for hunting, decades ago and following family advise and tradition, it was the 30-06, but I went a different route in loads by using the 165 GK-BTSP and also its HP version. Then I went to 270W using 130-140 BTSP, and a few years later after buying a 243 for my then young son, I found myself enjoying a killing a lot of deer with 243's and 6mm Rems along with the later 6mmRemAI. About 30 years ago, I purchased a 25-06 and immediately fell in love with the caliber.
Many years later and after purchasing and building many more rifles suitable for deer and other, today for deer, I find myself bringing out the 6mm's and 25-06 more than anything else. There have been several very effective loads in each, but lately, I tend to stick with Nosler AB's and Barnes TTSX's.