Best deer round
- Thread starter gunner4391
- Start date
This many replies and the closest mention of the venerable .30-30 is Jack's reference in mentioning the Federal Lite...
So for me it is simple...
For thick woody hunting...
.30-30 levergun or a shortish shotgun with slugs.
For open country longer shooting, gimme the ol' .30-06.
Brent
So for me it is simple...
For thick woody hunting...
.30-30 levergun or a shortish shotgun with slugs.
For open country longer shooting, gimme the ol' .30-06.
Brent
I'd second the .257 Roberts, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, .308, .30-06, and just about anything else up the middle range. Speaking of range--that's just it. Will you be hunting river bottom bean fields, wide western canyons, thick juniper thickets, eastern pine flats, thick grown-over clear cuts...........?
For myself, I found it nearly impossible to count on one rifle for every situation. In a quick pinch these days, it's going to most likely be a .444 Marlin with a Nikon Monarch 4x40 for the woody stuff, and a 26" M70 Classic Stainless with a Leupold 3.5-10x40 VXIII in 7mm Rem. Mag. With either of those, I have 99% confidence in my equipment for any situation I've found four-legged deer in. Throw in my 7-30 Waters Contender, and I'll go as far as 99.99%.
Good shootin', -7-
For myself, I found it nearly impossible to count on one rifle for every situation. In a quick pinch these days, it's going to most likely be a .444 Marlin with a Nikon Monarch 4x40 for the woody stuff, and a 26" M70 Classic Stainless with a Leupold 3.5-10x40 VXIII in 7mm Rem. Mag. With either of those, I have 99% confidence in my equipment for any situation I've found four-legged deer in. Throw in my 7-30 Waters Contender, and I'll go as far as 99.99%.
Good shootin', -7-
There is no perfect deer caliber however a lot of good suggestions are on this page. My top five pics would be .243 Win, .270 Win, .30-30 Win, .308 Win, and .30-06 Springfield. Just for the simple fact that you walk into any store that sells ammunition you will find these cartridges on the shelf. 7mm Rem Mag is just as popular and as easy to find just a little more expensive most of the time.
I like these
I like these
as well as the .25-06, .250 Savage, 6.5x55, .260, and .280, but these are not nearly as common or as easily found. If you handload then it isn't such a big deal but it doesn't seem that the OP rolls his own. Don't overthink it and keep it simple when you look for your deer rifle.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Back in my younger and healthier daze, I figured that inside of 500 yards with my '06, whatever was out there belonged to me. I killed just as many whitetail with my .243, but I wasn't as ambitious about distance.
For mulies, my own preference is for a bit more Thump! than a .243. So, anything above a .243 for bullet weight, up to an '06, oughta do just fine for any deer in the lower 48.
FWIW...
For mulies, my own preference is for a bit more Thump! than a .243. So, anything above a .243 for bullet weight, up to an '06, oughta do just fine for any deer in the lower 48.
FWIW...
James R. Burke
New member
Just myself I have lived and hunted whitetail in Michigan all my life. My favorite all time set up is the Ruger No. 1 A light sporter in 30-06 with a Leupold 3x9x40mm limited century scope, using my loads. Laupa brass, CCI-large rifle primer, Nosler Partition 165 grain bullet, with IMR-4350 at 3097 f.p.s. five shot average. It will shoot 3/4" at 100 yards all day long if I do my part. My wife has the exact same set up only in a .243 same weight scope etc, except for the caliber. She only takes well placed shots or lets them walk using a much differnt load of course, but she is using the Nosler 100 grain partition. Her first time out she shot at two deer and dropped them both right were they stood. But my favorite is no doubt the 30-06 for deer. That is just me, for deer there are alot of great calibers, 30-30., .270, 7mm mag, and the list goes on. I guess it comes down to what you like, and can handle the best. Shot placement is key no matter what you have, and being a good sportsperson leaving some walk away is the hardest thing to do but the right thing to do.
Hmmmmmm....
Being a respectable Rifle Loony, I own a 260, 6.5-06, 280, 7mmRM, 308, 30-06, and 338-06. My current choices are: Woods - 260 Ruger SS Compact. Fields - 280 Ruger SS Hawkeye. For your purposes, and come to the point, I haven't seen any difference in killing power between the 7mmRM, 308, or 30-06, using standard soft points. Get the 308 in a 24" barrel.
Being a respectable Rifle Loony, I own a 260, 6.5-06, 280, 7mmRM, 308, 30-06, and 338-06. My current choices are: Woods - 260 Ruger SS Compact. Fields - 280 Ruger SS Hawkeye. For your purposes, and come to the point, I haven't seen any difference in killing power between the 7mmRM, 308, or 30-06, using standard soft points. Get the 308 in a 24" barrel.
Christchild
New member
.270 Winchester
.270 Winchester is my #1 pick, but .243 Win., .257 Roberts, .25/06 Rem., .260 Rem., 7mm-08, .308 Win. 30/06 Sprg. are ALL suitable and highly effective Deer Cartridges.
I personally tend to stay away from most Magnum, Short Magnum or Super Short Magnum because of the "Barrel Burner" aspect, as I've heard quite a bit on that (most hunters never burn barrels, though), along with the extra recoil, and cost.
Always consider the fact that You're hunting WhiteTail and Mule Deer (not widebeest, buffalo and lion), and unless You're making very long shots most of the time, any of the above Cartridges are fantastic.
I agree with a previous poster, a 3x-9x scope is sufficient also.
I prefer .270 Win over 30/06 Sprg. The 30/06 has ALOT over the .270... .308" bullets are more available in more Brands/Styles/Weights than ANY other caliber, and any company that makes brass, makes 30-06, and a wide range of bullet weights is useful.
Comparing .277" bullets and .308" bullets, the .308" is larger diameter, and if You compared a 150 grain .277" bullet to a 150 grain .308" bullet, at the same velocity, the .308" will transfer more energy due to the diameter, more "knock down" power... BUT, "Knock Down" power (foot pounds of energy) are not the only aspect in a bullets killing power. Bullet construction/performance and shot placement are #1.
The .270 Win. is generally a 30/06 necked down to .270 caliber. Slightly less bullet diameter, in most cases less recoil (in similar rifle and bullet weight), in most cases Flatter Trajectory, and PLENTY killing power.
And, it's a Classic American cartridge.
I would LOVE to see a .270/08. I know someone did it as a wildcat, but I'd like to see that one commercialized, so guys like me can use the same bullets in a smaller cartridge (bigger and more potent than 6.8 SPC) for my son to use.
.270 Winchester is my #1 pick, but .243 Win., .257 Roberts, .25/06 Rem., .260 Rem., 7mm-08, .308 Win. 30/06 Sprg. are ALL suitable and highly effective Deer Cartridges.
I personally tend to stay away from most Magnum, Short Magnum or Super Short Magnum because of the "Barrel Burner" aspect, as I've heard quite a bit on that (most hunters never burn barrels, though), along with the extra recoil, and cost.
Always consider the fact that You're hunting WhiteTail and Mule Deer (not widebeest, buffalo and lion), and unless You're making very long shots most of the time, any of the above Cartridges are fantastic.
I agree with a previous poster, a 3x-9x scope is sufficient also.
I prefer .270 Win over 30/06 Sprg. The 30/06 has ALOT over the .270... .308" bullets are more available in more Brands/Styles/Weights than ANY other caliber, and any company that makes brass, makes 30-06, and a wide range of bullet weights is useful.
Comparing .277" bullets and .308" bullets, the .308" is larger diameter, and if You compared a 150 grain .277" bullet to a 150 grain .308" bullet, at the same velocity, the .308" will transfer more energy due to the diameter, more "knock down" power... BUT, "Knock Down" power (foot pounds of energy) are not the only aspect in a bullets killing power. Bullet construction/performance and shot placement are #1.
The .270 Win. is generally a 30/06 necked down to .270 caliber. Slightly less bullet diameter, in most cases less recoil (in similar rifle and bullet weight), in most cases Flatter Trajectory, and PLENTY killing power.
And, it's a Classic American cartridge.
I would LOVE to see a .270/08. I know someone did it as a wildcat, but I'd like to see that one commercialized, so guys like me can use the same bullets in a smaller cartridge (bigger and more potent than 6.8 SPC) for my son to use.
Want some factual cynicysm?
I would LOVE to see a .270/08. I know someone did it as a wildcat, but I'd like to see that one commercialized, so guys like me can use the same bullets in a smaller cartridge (bigger and more potent than 6.8 SPC) for my son to use.
With the .260 Remington on the left, and the 7mm-08 on the right, such a cartridge would be rather gay!
I would LOVE to see a .270/08. I know someone did it as a wildcat, but I'd like to see that one commercialized, so guys like me can use the same bullets in a smaller cartridge (bigger and more potent than 6.8 SPC) for my son to use.
With the .260 Remington on the left, and the 7mm-08 on the right, such a cartridge would be rather gay!
Christchild
New member
I don't think it would be gay, Bro. It's got a close competitor on both sides, yes, but I'd bet my next crawfish boil, that it would quickly come alive if commercialized.
And like I said, it would let guys like me use the same bullets that are used in my .270 win. Plus, being a young boy, my son (along with many other son's) would think it was cool using the same bullets Dad uses...
Same camo....same boots....similar rifle....same bullets....sittin' in the same spot...see the deer at the same time.... Father and Son... That, is a Huntin' Buddy.
And like I said, it would let guys like me use the same bullets that are used in my .270 win. Plus, being a young boy, my son (along with many other son's) would think it was cool using the same bullets Dad uses...
Same camo....same boots....similar rifle....same bullets....sittin' in the same spot...see the deer at the same time.... Father and Son... That, is a Huntin' Buddy.
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fisherman66
New member
I have seen 270-.308 dies. I also watched a such chambered rifle sell yesterday.
I suppose our new guy is an expert on all things gay. I don't see how it can be any "gayer" than the long action equivalents.
Christchild
New member
Fisherman66... At's a Roger!
So it's official, then? The 30-06 is the "best" all around deer cartridge? I gotta git me one 'a them. Mebe a 7600?
Actually, I'm thinking the 30-06 is probably one of the most versatile rounds, there are so many different factory loads for it you could hunt chucks long range, our little southeastern whitetails, big mulies out west, or black bear in New England. A 7600 in 30-06 with a good red dot system might be one of the best all around critter killers. I had one in .270 with an old Bushnell 6x on hi-rise mounts allowing use of the sights. Never hunted with it but I bet it would have been a great deer rifle for close snap shots or longer range shots with the scope. I liked the way the gun balanced and it was fast on target.
I gotta git me one 'a them. Mebe a 7600?Actually, I'm thinking the 30-06 is probably one of the most versatile rounds, there are so many different factory loads for it you could hunt chucks long range, our little southeastern whitetails, big mulies out west, or black bear in New England. A 7600 in 30-06 with a good red dot system might be one of the best all around critter killers. I had one in .270 with an old Bushnell 6x on hi-rise mounts allowing use of the sights. Never hunted with it but I bet it would have been a great deer rifle for close snap shots or longer range shots with the scope. I liked the way the gun balanced and it was fast on target.
Colorado Redneck
New member
From the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Rocky Mountain mule deer stand three to three and a
half feet tall at the shoulder, with bucks (males) usually
weighing 125 to 250 pounds, though some may weigh as
much as 400 pounds. Does (females) usually weigh between
100 and 150 pounds.
It would seem that we are talking about shooting an animal that is about the same size as a human. So a canon wouldn't be necessary to do away with one.
My vote is for a 25-06 with the Nosler 110 gr. accubond loaded at 3160 fps.
Any thing from a 243 up to a 308 would be fine. Bullet selection is important.
The first mule deer I killed was a nice healthy 3 X 3 at about 200 paces (Dad stepped it off) with a 25-35 model 94 lever Winchester. Went right down. We lived in the boonies in NW Colorado and the staute of limitations has hopefully run out.
But all i am saying is, it doesn't take a lot to bring down a deer.
Rocky Mountain mule deer stand three to three and a
half feet tall at the shoulder, with bucks (males) usually
weighing 125 to 250 pounds, though some may weigh as
much as 400 pounds. Does (females) usually weigh between
100 and 150 pounds.
It would seem that we are talking about shooting an animal that is about the same size as a human. So a canon wouldn't be necessary to do away with one.
My vote is for a 25-06 with the Nosler 110 gr. accubond loaded at 3160 fps.
Any thing from a 243 up to a 308 would be fine. Bullet selection is important.
The first mule deer I killed was a nice healthy 3 X 3 at about 200 paces (Dad stepped it off) with a 25-35 model 94 lever Winchester. Went right down. We lived in the boonies in NW Colorado and the staute of limitations has hopefully run out.
But all i am saying is, it doesn't take a lot to bring down a deer.Deerhunter264
New member
i choose the .243 winchester. It is an accurate round and it is and easy shooting gun. It has hardly any recoil and it is big enough to kill any deer out ther. What is the point in shooting a deer which can be killed with a small easy shooting .243 with a 300 winchester or another big caliber like that. I think that a deer is not going to know the differencce between being shot by a .243 or 300 win mag if it is being shot in a avital area.
Simple straightforward question designed perfectly to elicit many and varied opinions according to whats in the nimrods gun rack or tops on his wish list. However the correct answer is a round of boilermakers using Colt 45 malt liquor and a shot of Jack Daniels black. After 2 rounds he will follow you back to camp and if you can get 3 rounds in him the meat will be pre-marinated.