My go to is a 3006 i have used that round for many years and have never had to track a deer with it. I also have hunted with a 7mm mag, 35 rem, 308. 7mm08, 30-30 and 243. I'm not a a huge fan of 243 I know alot of ppl swear by them but I have tracked alot of deer with fatal hits and no blood trial from a 243 Iv never lost one but I dont like not finding blood. I like my 3006 if never shot one with it and not watched it fall. I am excited to see what the 338 fed does it has similar ballistics to the 3006