22-250 is excellent for coyote but a little light for deer and hog but will still get the job done with a neck  or head shot! also one of the lesser expensive rounds!!!

my brother has one in a savage with the accu trigger and we have killed everything from turkey to deer and pigs!!! the best gun we have!!!

for your needs with a little more power u could also go with a 243

25-06 Great gun for Texas hunting.

If you want to go that route and can only get one gun the .25-06 is a good choice.  Its flat shooting and can down a whitetail out to 300 yards, maybe more.  Had one for 20 years and loved it.  However, I'd watch the bullet construction when taking hogs. 

I know this always stirs-up controversy, but me personally I think a .243 is too small for deer.  They'll drop when shot in the right place with one, but even in the best of worlds that's not always going to happen.  I've seen a couple walk away after getting shot with a .243 and had the 'enjoyment' of tracking them...and not finding either. 

I AGREE WITH THE 25-06. USE THE HEAVIEST BULLETS FOR HOGS!

I agree with Wohalliburton...partially.  I hunted with a .243 for years, and never lost a deer with it.  Never had a deer go more than 60 yards.  However, I never did get a good blood trail either.  I knew that my time was coming and without a good blood trail I was afraid that I would eventually lose one.

I bought a savage model 110 in .270.  Absolutely love that gun/caliber.  I have not had a deer or hog go more than 50 yards, but I have always seen lots of blood, so I feel it does the job very nicely.  I have not used a .25-06, but would be afraid of lack of a blood trail.  Wohalliburton, correct me if I am wrong.

I agree with the 25-06. if you really want to look cool get the 25wssm that is a cool looking bullet with about thet same spec. as the 25-06 just the short mag version.

I have to throw in my two cents and say all around caliber, .243 I have hunted with the same .243 riffle for 20 years and have taken 250 yard shots to 50 yard shots and it has dropped many deer in thier tracks, no problem or questions!!! I would also recomend the 7mm-08 for it's accuracy, my dad is almost blind and has taken long shots with accuracy and dropped his 350lb wild boar with the 7mm-08.  But, if you want a classic good deer riffle and hog gun I would have to say 30-30 lever action!!!

I have a Remington 700 in .25-06. It is a wonderful gun. I have reached out (on target) to almost 400 yards and still had a good group. I shoot Winchester Supreme ammunition, exelent penetration and stopping power. I recently bought a Marlin XS7 in the caliber of .308 and I shoot Hornady 150 grain ammo. I dropped three deer in there tracks this season. As much as I love the .25-06 the .308 has quickly become my new favorite. 

Michael,

I've had to track a couple deer after being shot with a .25-06 (Not very far mind you) and there's always been a pretty good blood trail.  But, I won't shoot smaller than a 117 grain bullet for whitetail, and that may have something to do with it. 

I did shoot a 100 grain in the .25-06 for everal years (which is also the largest commercially-loaded round for a .243 unless something's changed recently) but had to switch when I had one literally blow-up on a deer's shoulder.  For some reason the added bullet weight keeps that from happening.  But, even with that unless you're shooting a partition, triple shock, or similar bullet you'll never recover a bullet in a deer when its shot with a .25-06...let's say at least I haven't.  The thing just comes apart.  I think you'll find that common for all smaller deer rifle calibers (6mm, .243, .25-06, etc)

A 7mm-08 is a great round, but I've found there's a limited choice for commercially manufactured ammunition.

Colby,

That's exactly what happened to me...I wanted something with a little more knockdown power, sold my .25-06, and ended-up with a 7mm Rem Mag in a Sendero, which is a HEAVY rifle.  Yeah I know...more than a little more knockdown power.  But, while that thing nails deer at over 500 yards, you sure can't tote it around all day!  So, for under 300 yard shooting I got a .308 for me and my son.  We love 'em.  And, since they're used for police sniping I'm sure once we learn them a little better we could easily take deer at 300-400 yards or more. 

.270 all the way

308 is really hard to beat

That is like asking which is better, ford or chevy! It depends on the experience of the individuals you ask. Are you looking for accuracy and performance @ over 200 yards? How you shoot is much more important than what you shoot. My personal experience with the 25/06 had been very good on the smaller bullets out to 250 yds. I can't seem to get the heavier bullets to group well. The 100gr. in the 243 has performed well out to 300 yds. My 270 has shot factory 130 grain loads extremely well out to 300 yds. The past few years I have used a rem 700 vss in .223 with the 55gr. nosler ballistic tip bullet and been very happy with the accuracy and performance out to 300 yds. Took a 250# pig with a head shot at 116 yards, a coyote at 150 yds, and a nice 8pt buck at 165 yds with a neck shot. Got exit wounds and DRT results. If I had to pick one rifle I would take the 270 for all around performance and accuracy.

  For deer size game .270 for me also.  I have owned my Rem. Mod. 700 for over 25 yrs. and it has served me well time and time again.  It will work on smaller game but if you are wanting to save the pelts forget it.  I like my .223 for varmits, but that is not the question, the question was for all around caliber and I would have to say the .270 with 130 gr. bullet will and does work well.   I also agree with what someone else said in an earlier post that more lies with the shooter and his/her skill than the caliber used. 

My go to general Texas hunting rifle is in 6.5x55 Swedish. When your researching the above calibers, be sure to take a look at this one.

My favorite caliber is .308.

I shoot a .243 and a 25-06 love them both. Bottom line get a gun that you like, in a caliber that you enjoy shooting go to the range. Take you a sack lunch and a sodapop, shoot groups of the or four sight it in and don't settle for good enough. Do this on a regular basis and you will build confidence and that will enable you to put that bullet where you want it. Anybody to day can take a High caliber wepon with good optics and bring down a animal any bow hunter will tell you this. I believe a true sportsman will take the time to know his equipmet and it's capabilities, and thus It aint this size it's the placement as always. good luck

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