One deer story does not mean much. I don't deer hunt a lot.Last mule deer buch I shot was at about two hundred yards with my 30-338 .
It was elk season. Took a deer break.Thats why the big gun. I was shooting 200 gr Accubonds at 2900 fps.
Placement was a high double kung shot. Ribs,lungs,ribs. The buck dropped like a stone in his tracks,body upright,legs folded under body.
Exit hole about 2 in dia,but no big bomb crater inside. I think my 257 would mess up more meat.. That heavy Accubond kept integrity enough to not blow up a lot of meat.
In my opinion, 30-06 with a 180 gr Accubond or Ballistic Tip will penetrate through and do the job.
I think you'll get a little less meat damage with the Accubond,which pays the extra cost. As Wyosmith says,its the bullet hole that kills.On a deer,I'd expect a little larger hole from the Ballistic tip .Maybe the bigger hole will kill him deader.
I'd expect ,generally,more destruction from a higher velocity 150 gr bullet.
I'd expect the 7mm Mag to mess up more meat. I'd use the 30-06 with a 180
Accubond .
Less destructive on a deer but everything you need for elk.