I've shot a 30.06 most of my life and recently found a 270 and boy is it a tack driver. Can't go wrong with either one.

Thanks guys for all the input! ill let you know what i go with

I have used a 7mm Remington Magnum for at-least the last twelve years as my go to gun when I am in doubt over what gun to take. With it I have shot varmints from skunk to large game including Elk and more deer and hogs than I can count. With the right rifle and stock, recoil is nothing unusual. It has never been found wanting for range or power on game out past 500 yards. Another reason to love it is that panic buying never drains the shelves of good 7mm Magnum ammo. Reloading the 7mm Magnum is simple and straight forward and components are always readily available. I have a lot of other calibers in the cabinet right now with a stockpile of ammo that I never take out because I don't want to deplete my supply. I never worry with the 7mm though. I just grab it and go and dump my brass in the tumbler and start reloading when I get home.

Of you already have a 30/06 u should look into something really flat like a 22-250. You'll love how accurate these things are right outta the box

I would disagree.. Not to diminish .223, but is definitely no all-around cartridge.

My vote goes to 30-06, especially if have 24 inch barrel; with that setup recoil drops to 308 level and you get another 100 fps. Hard to beat that combination.

I had a 25.06 built for me a couple of years ago, along with an almost identical .300 WSM. I have found that I usually grab the 25.06. With the 25.06, I have taken whitetails, red stag, antelope, hogs and coyotes, all without a problem. It is a smoking hot/fast round and is also has very little recoil. My 9 and 12 tr old boys love to shoot it.
I use the .300 WSM for Elk and Mule deer.
For hunting in TX you do not "need" anything larger than the 25.06, unless you were after a Nilgai or similar sized exotic.
Also look at the 7mm08. It is my understanding that it is very similar ballistically to the 25.06.

I guess you have to decide if you want to go modern or old school lever action. Small bullet and super fast or big bore and somewhat slower ( lots of knock down).

exactly what I was thinking.
These two were all I took on trips for many years. Nothing else needed.

For all around caliber a 25-06 is hard to beat