Just for discussion, your favorite deer cartridge.

I first started hunting deer with a 50 BMG, but found I was destroying too much meat. I've since switched to a 416 Rigby which I find works much better. :-)
 
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The .270 Win with 130 grain Sierra BTSP and the .50 cal Muzzle Loader with patched round ball are my two favorite deer rifles. I've used the .243 Win with great success as well with 100 grain Corelokt. I usually save my center fires .30 caliber and larger stuff for elk.
 
Now seriously, depending on terrain/mood, I will grab one of the following:

Marlin GG in 45-70
MKII in 7mm-08, or
MKII in 358 win
 
For all-around utility - Ruger M77 Mk II, .270 Win, scoped.
For close quarters, snap-shot areas - Soviet SKS, 7.62x39, iron sights.
For close quarter areas where I am more likely to get a shot at some pine chickens than big game - Winchester Model 25, 12 ga, one slug followed by upland game loads.
 
I've taken deer with .30-06., .308, .30-30., .243, and 12 gauge (slug) in long guns; also .243 (Encore) and .44 Mag (Redhawk) in handguns. Favorite firearm for getting deer is a Remington Model 7 in .308.

Favorite method for deer hunting, however, is archery. 100 gr Thunderheads from a now 12-year-old PSE.
 
.270 Winchester hands down the best in the world. Short and long range oomph, plenty flat enough for me and a good looking easy feeding case(none of that short, fat, magazine capacity reducing stuff) . :cool:

I have used, and seen used:

.243
.30-30
7mm Rem Mag
.30-06
7.62X39
.303 Brit
and a .50 cal muzzle loader
 
If I was to limit it strictly to 250lb mule deer or smaller, I'd probably have to go with the 7mm-08. It is a flat shooting, light recoiling, accurate round capable of taking even elk out to about 300 yards or so.

If I was to include the possibility of taking elk or moose with that one gun, I would probably have to go with the 300WM or 300WSM. However, since I don't own either of those, my vote for "best all around deer gun" goes to the '06 because that is what I have and it has never failed me, even for elk out to 350 yards.
 
Ruger M77 .243 Win. is hands down my favorite rifle to hunt with period. I have others to include my recent acquisition (Interarms .280 Remington/ Bull Barrel) that I will use this season.
 
It depends on the mood Im in.
Marlin 30-30
Remington .30-06
Browning BAR 300 win mag
Marlin .44 magnum
Inland .30 carbine
Revelation single shot 12 ga
Muzzleloader .50
Panther Arms M-4
 
Best all-around- 30-06. My favorite- 6.5x55. I've used,
30-06
6.5
22lr
308
243
338
223
303
30 carbine
45 colt(revolver)
12 ga
50 cal blackpowber
 
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Well, I am interested in the discussion, for I just got a Savage 110 in 7mm for hunting here in New Mexico next year. I have been a 12 ga. bird hunter all my life, and only taken one deer... that was out the back door of my place in Virginia with a .22. Proper placement! The deer jumped 30 feet, and went down. Better than a F-150.
 
I have killed Alabama Whitetails with:

12 guage

30-30

444 Marlin

270 Win

25-06

My favorite is my Savage bolt rifle in .270 using 140gr Remington Core-loks.
 
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