well mostly whitetail
If you can't decide go 7-08
Good advice.
My choice would be the 308 in either Howa or Weatherby preferably with a 24 inch barrel. Why? just look at the ballistic chart on the box of ammo - it will tell you how high your POI needs to be to be at zero at 100 yards or more.
If you can not decide then the 7-08
well mostly whitetail
Most deer are shot under 500yds, so the 308. I have both and hunt with both. Deer just run less far after being hit with 308 in my experience.
hey thanks for all the great info i have a tikka 308 now just thinking about getting a 6.5 i hunt all whitetail maybe odd yr black bear i used a 7mm-08 for deer really liked it but didnt try it on bear. i just seem to always go back to my 308
I have taken deer at up to 425 yards, repeatedly, for over 20 years with my Husqvarna 25.06.
Bone stock 1969 rifle, factory Winchester high end ammo and plenty of practice, $1800 glass...
None - have - EVER - run - ANYWHERE.....not one...
Well, try shoot some Sika deer, we have guides who would not take clients out on evening stalks with 6.5x55. They were sick of crawling around after the runners. Using the same shot placement as with my 308, my then new 6.5CM disappointed with the running distance. I was advised to use a shot placement slightly further forward (Hilar) and results were better with quite a few dropping on the spot. Heart shot Sika just about all run, seen them run 150m with the heart hanging out.
The 25-06 with lighter faster bullets compared to say 6.5x55/CM works quite well on our little deer at reasonable ranges.
edi
What do you want to do with it? A hammer is better than a frying pan if you are building a shed but it is terrible if you are trying to fry an egg.