I have had two different hunting leases over the past 10 yrs in Jawja. My Middle Jawja lease was thick piney woods with lots of elevation change. Never a shot over 125 yds, and most under 70. The perfect rifle for deer there was my 44 mag Ruger carbine. Harvested dozens over the years with that lightweight, easy carry, little gun.
Now I am down in Sou' Jawja in very flat, wet Piney woods at the head of the Okefenokee. Shots can range from 20 yds up to 300+ yds. The longest shot taking game has been about 275 yds. Also there is a very real chance of encountering a hog or five up to 250+ lbs, or a black bear. My favorite deer rifle now is my Ruger American in 3006. It is light, extremely accurate and I find the factory recoil pad mitigates the recoil much better than the Pachmayr Decelerator on my Remy 760 carbine in the same caliber. The 760 was my go to gun until the Ruger Am.Rifle entered my life. With 180 grain Federal Fusions I have been able to harvest 4 deer (bang/flop) and dozens of pigs/hogs over the past two years. It carries much easier than the 760 and is quite a bit more accurate (the trigger I believe).
So in summary I think it depends on where you are hunting as to the perfect deer caliber.