Just for discussion, your favorite deer cartridge.

T

The Terminator

New member
Or, how about your favorite two, long and short range.

Of what I own that is deer capable, I'd have to go with the .270 . Though I don't have one, the 30-06 gets my vote for best all around on deer. For a heavy caliber, I do like the 45/70, but any of the flat nosed levers wil do for me, including the .44 mag.

You?

Oh, and what have you used in the past on deer? I'll try to list mine below:

12 ga shotun,
35 Remington
30-30 Winchester
7mm Mauser
303 British
308 Winchester
30-06 Springfield
270 Winchester
45/70 Government
 
12 and/or 20 gauge and .30-30 is very well suited rounds for me and my type and terrain of hunting. More important than cartridge IMHO is the gun specifics.
For me and my type and terrain, a lever action shortish carbine is best as my terrain is dense low scrub. A long barreled bolt gun would be a hindrance as would my 12 gauge with a 28 inch barrel compared to my 20 gauge with 18 inch barrel.
Brent
 
i'm in michigan & depending where i'm hunting i also use the 270 or 7.62 x 39. the 270 is definately the go to for most hunts.
 
More important than cartridge IMHO is the gun specifics.
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I agree. Carbines sure point nice and carry just as easy.

I use:
30/30 with a peep sight for short work (walk around rifle)
7x57 with a 1-4 scope for out to 250 yards

Both rifles measure under a yard for OAL.
 
I've used a .308 bolt action, a 7mm Rem Mag bolt action and a 45-70 Gov't falling block. My current favorite is my 45-70 Gov't. It's a Ruger No. 1 with a Nikon 3X9 on top. While generally speaking the 45-70 isn't a long range round, where I hunt, 100 yards would be a long shot. The Ruger No. 1 is light to carry and the short gun is great for wooded areas.
 
For the 30.06 is my favorite.
In the past I have used the .300 WIN. MAG, 30-30 and have taken several with my T/C .50 smoke pole. I have to say the muzzleloader will drop them just as quick as the .300 WIN MAG. with proper shot placement.
 
I've used, in order of frequency, 20 Gauge 870 Wingmaster w/18 1/2" smoothbore Remington 2 3/4" "Sluggers", 12 Gauge NEF Rifled Bull Barrel 22" (I think) Remington 3" "Copper Solids", 243Win Model 700ADL 22" Barrel either Speer 105grain "Hot Cor" or Hornady 100grain "Spire Point" handloads, 30-06 Remington Model 742 Carbine 18 1/2" Barrel 150grain Remington Core-Lokt's or Speer 165grain "Hot Cor" handloads, 30-06 Winchester Model 670 22" Barrel 180grain Sierra RN handloads. I hope to take a deer with my 7mmWSM Model 70 Winchester with 140grain Nosler "Ballistic Tips" next fall out west if the Good Lord sees fit.:)
 
Basically two types of hunting.
Up close. Palmetto/piney woods. Shots from 10-50 yds. avg. mave have the occasional long haul out to 100 yds.+ Hogs and deer. .44 Mag.

Same targets but over cow pastures or savannas to tree lines or heads. Shots from 100-300 yds. Usual deer and small hogs, .243 Win. Going for BIG hogs w/possible deer, 30-30, 30-40 or 30-06. Seriously going for BIG hogs 45-70 or 12 ga. slugs, good for big gators too.
 
Wisconsin Deer Hunting...

Have used 30-30, 32 Special, 35 Rem, 30-06, 300Win Mag, 44Mag (handgun), 460S&W Mag (handgun), and .50 Knight Disc Muzzleloader...

Although many cry overkill, the 30-06 with 165gr bullets has been an absolute deer hammer over the years, though the .50cal (actually .45 cal sabot) Barnes XXX copper hollowpoint has been devastating as well.
 
Have used 30/06 and 45/70. Hoping to use .308 and 12ga this year. 30/06 by a landslide though, with particular respect for 165 grainers as the poster above - can't be beat as a deer rifle IMHO.
 
For close range, I'd probably use a '92 winchester that I have in .45 Colt.

But, around here you oft-times end up shooting across a canyon, so I tend to stick with flatter shooting cartridges.

I've used .243 Win, .270, and 7mm Rem Mag. I've pretty much stuck with the 7mm mag for the last 22 years, just because it's never let me down.

Here's a coues deer I shot down in Mexico a couple years ago on the last morning of the hunt. The shot presented was across a canyon, and a couple of jumps would take the deer to the next ranch...where we couldn't hunt.

My brother lazered it at 472 yards before the shot. Most of the deer I've shot have been far closer, but you never know.

Daryl

DARYLSHUNT009.jpg
 
For me, my Rifle choice is a NEF Survivor 308. I shot this rifle both close and long ranges. Have been hunting close range lately with a Taurus 357 Mag. Tracker. In the past have use NEF Ultra lite 243, Remington 870 12 guage and a old Winchester 30-30. Below are a couple pictures that you can see the rifle in pretty good.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc127/JKump/100_0229.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc127/JKump/Picture017.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc127/JKump/Picture002.jpg
 
Over the years, I have used everything from 243 to 30-30 to 8mm RemMag to375 H&H, but I keep going back to my old 7X57 for deer. I have shot animals with everything from popguns to big boomers, and I found that bigger is not necessarily better, but a flat trajectory is always nice.
 
I am a big fan of the 30-06 with 150g bullets for deer. It is flat shooting at 3000 fps in most loadings and fairly mild recoil. It is the only cartridge that I have ever killed a deer with...about 20 or so. I am itching to try my 44 mag SBH.
 
Daryl, fine Coues! I love how the antlers almost palmate or web. Purrrdy
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Thanks fisherman66. It was a good hunt, and Mexico has some really nice coues deer in some areas.

I wouldn't mind going back for another hunt in Mexico, but things are pretty messed up down there right now, and I'm not taking those kind of chances in another country.

Maybe some day things will settle down, and I'd sure look forward to hunting there again. Good hunting, good people, and good times. Heck the food isn't bad, either.

Daryl
 
257 Ackley Improved. Mex mauser action,Garret glass stock,Doug FWT bbl,6X M-8 Leupold.7 lbs with scope.
3090 fps with 115 Nosler bt's. 300 yd zero. Scope duplex is 2 mils,post to post.
Works for me
 
My favorite cartirdge is the 300WM. It is flat shooting, can be used very effectivly on all N. American game, and recoil is still managable for most people. Ammunition is available almost anywhere and the price is still reasonable.

Cost of ammo in no longer a concern to me because I reload. I can reload for about $1 more a box than .308 winchester.
 
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