I purchased a Mauser M03 in 8x68S as my future all round world hunting rifle. A bit more grunt for larger tougher species and flatter shooting than a .30-06. I did use a borrowed 8x68S M98 custom of Karl Stumpfe's. It worked well well I shot properly. A handfull of warthogs, a hartebeest, springbok, gemsbok. Along with my 9.3x74R.

I would probably use 200 gr or better 220 gr good bullets in the 8x68S. For regular deer hunting a 160 to 180 gr .323 bullet might be a flat shooting choice. I've always been keen on a 250 gr SP well constructed .323 bullet and a 250ngr matching RN FMJ. To emulate the great .330. .318 Westley Richards with a few more fps. Difficult to ID and find.

I killed my eland well with my .30-06 with 200 gr Nosler Partition. Well placed difficult angled shot from behind to the heart. I had earlier problems with the 180 gr Nosler Partition which were blowing off the front halfs and acting as a FMJ.

As chance happens I still use my customised Parker Hale 1200 M98 in .30-06 most of the time. I know it and how it shoots. One gun familiarity. Used on hundreds of feral goats, numerous feral bore, some Hoppy beasts, fallie deer, red stags, numerous donkeys. Scrub bulls. A wild ram. Camels. Dingoes, Big lizards. Other?

I bought it which still at High School. From Tony Browns Mans World, a barbers shop, with a leather sofa for chatting. Came with 220 gr Norma FMJs I planned for water buffalo. My first trip, no water buffalo were on the abandoned cattle station we visited.

I will continue to nude my .30-06. Almost certainly for my next fallow deer. A shooting non licenced friend (ex Military) I will loan (under supervision) my 6.5x55 to use. Or I will use the 8x56 M-S I must take out for a walk.