Just read this long winded post. You guys must only own 1 gun or something. Who cares which is better 30.06 or .308. I own a 22/250, .270, 7mm.08, .308, 30.06, 30/30, .357 lever action, etc... and would not hesitate to kill a deer with any of them. The ones at the beginning and end of my list have some limitations, but seam to kill plenty of deer. My only advice is to stick with something that has a history and will not be discontinued in a couple of years. I don't rush out and buy a gun until it has a track record (.17 and .204, short mags, super short mags, etc). You take a gun on a hunt and the airline loses your bag of ammo, can you go to wal-mart or the local gun shop and buy some? Would stink to go a few thousand miles and have to borrow a gun.
haus