[phantomak47]

Mods please remove

[R.W.Dale]

Why? this a good topic.

Primarly 300 WBY, 7.62x39, 7.5x54 MAS ; 17 HMR, .410 for smaller critters

[SoCalShooter]

I hunt white tail coos with a 300 weatherby magnum :evil: and a tomahawk:what:

[Legionnaire]

Several, but mostly 150gr Core-Lokt .308.

[BIGR]

97 % of the time 30.06 3 % of the time .300 Winchester

[M.E.Eldridge]

.375 H&H.......

7.5 Swiss, 8mm Mauser, 30-06, 7.62x54r, .303 British(my personal favorite).

[nico]

Since others have posted:
with my .270 M77 - 130gr Winchester Power Points or Remington Core Lokt. Both shoot couple inch groups at 100 yards (well within minute of deer) and have been effective enough on deer that I haven't felt the need to spend more.

With the muzzleloader - .45 250gr Hornady SST (.50 sabot) with two 50gr triple seven pellets.

[Shotgunner60]

Kimber 84m in .243 because it's a pleasure to cary and shoot....

[GRB]

I use either 2 3/4" 12 gauge slugs, nothing special, out of a remington 870; or I use 200 grain Remington Core Lokt .35 Remington out of a Marlin 336.

All the best,
GB

[Lennyjoe]

30-06 in 165gr Sierra Gameking over 57.5gr of IMR 4350.

[Grumulkin]

I've tried:

222 Remington - 1 deer
22-250 Remington - 2 deer
270 Winchester - 1 deer
7mm Remington Magnum - 1 deer
308 Winchester - 3 deer
30/06 - 2 deer

My "favorite" would depend on the hunting situation. For shots at up to 200 yards, the 222 Rem. is nice in that it's easy on the ears even without ear protection and the recoil is negligible. The 22-250 is great even up to the 300 to 400 yard range with minimal recoil, excellent accuracy and it's also easy on the ears (appreciated both by the shooter and the neighbors).

An equally favorite is the 7mm Rem. Mag. The recoil isn't bad but it is loud. It obviously has a lot more power than the 22-250, is much better in wind and is good for even heavier animals than deer. This would probably be my pick for very open areas where wind was likely to be a significant factor. Mine is quite accurate which, with it's flat trajectory, makes shots in the 400 yard range on deer quite doable from an excellent rest. For much over 400 yards, I would want to use a good range finder with it and I'm not really into range finders (just another piece of stuff to haul around).

[gezzer]

.54 round ball

[mk]

30 06, 180 grain.

[spooney]

.44 mag

[LeonCarr]

.44 Magnum

[MCgunner]

Rifle mostly .308 Winchester anymore

Handgun .30-30

Revolver .357 Magnum, though I might try my .45 colt this year, maybe.

I have used other calibers, but right now these are my favorite. The caliber that I've killed the most deer with, however, is .257 Roberts. Truth be told, it's all I really need even now. It is my most accurate rifle, 3/4 moa gun. Killed my first with that gun 43 years ago.

[bearmgc]

Mainly 30-06 with 180gr corlockts, sometimes 44magnum 240gr SP, sometimes 444Marlin Rem 240gr SP, for awhile used 7magnum 160gr Sierra Gameking BTSP. All for Mulies.

[Chuck Perry]

45-70, 300g HP.

['Card]

.30-06 (180-grain Federal Hi-Energy Noslers) about 70% of the time.
.300WinMag about 15% of the time.
.300 Savage about 15% of the time.
12-gauge w/slugs about once in a blue moon.

Which one I use on any given day depends on conditions and terrain.

[jeepmor]

A bit much for deer, but it's my first rifle and I plan to hunt elk too, maybe an Alaska moose someday too.

jeepmor

[hkenvy91]

44 mag or 3inch #1 buck out of my 1187 sp( she likes #1's):what:

[Karbon]

140 grain Nosler Accubonds out of my 270wsm.

ONLY Federal.

[Mannlicher]

In close cover, I like either my Marlin 30-30 or my Marlin 1894 in .44 Mag.
For the times I hunt over a field, I usually take the Mannlicher-Schoenauer in .270 Winchester.

[DogBonz]

30-06 or 30-30. I try to keep it simple.

[Fat_46]

150gr spbt in a .270

[enkindler]

25-06, guess i'm smaller then the other guys on here :what:

[Raine]

7.62x39 or .270

[bigant]

.308, 7-08, 50 Beowulf, 7.5 Swiss, 6.5 Grendel(soon)

Ant

[savage sam]

.300 Savage, .30-30 or .308. It's a draw within 200 yds.

[PotatoJudge]

30-06, 7 mauser (M77), 357 max. (contender rifle) Hope to try some 45 colt this year, more likely on pigs.

[scout26]

Winchester 12 ga Platnuim Tips. (Illinois is Shotgun Only)

Oh, and Muzzy 100 grainers for Archery.

[SSN Vet]

up north .30-30

need to get a 12 ga. for down south.

[Shawnee]

.44 magnum (Ruger Super Blackhawk)

.243 Winchester (Ruger #1 Standard)

:)

[Northslope Nimrod]

30-06: 165 grain hornady

30-30: 160 or 170 several makers.

Shot mine this year with 30-30, using Winchester 170gr.

[GSPKurt]

.30-30 Marlin 30AS w/ Fusion 150 gr.

or

.300 Win Mag Weatherby Vanguard with 150 gr. Barnes TSX bullets over 75 gr. of IMR4350 SSSSSSsssssmokin'!!!!

[Clipper]

.35 Rem, .300 Sav. (Wife's guns)

Mine's a .25WSSM

[screamin eagle]

Marlin 336 in 30-30 with 170 gr. winchester power points. It is my favorite rifle and my first.:)

[Nathanael_Greene]

.30-06 with 125-grain Remington Managed Recoil ammunition. As far as I'm concerned, it's perfect for the smaller deer we have here in Texas, for shots around 100 yards.

[achildofthesky]

This year I am going to use my Marlin 1894 ss 16 1/2" 357 mag. Range will certainly be under 75 yds and I am still waiting foradcope for the rifleI'd first wanted to use.

Patty

[crawfish]

One of several hunting handguns (revolvers) chambered in .41RemMag.

[Carl]

.30-30 Winchester 170 gr. Silvertip

[countertop]

the venerable "thutty-thutty"

though this year I am also taken out the Blackhawk with a beefed up .45 Colt round to try my luck at the handgun game.

[redneck2]

12 gauge, .54 Knight, and .357 Herrett. No centerfire rifles in Indiana

[jamz]

I only just started hunting, so so far it's 30-06 with a 150gr Nosler Partition with 57 grains of IMR 4350.

Next year I'm going with Triple Shocks, maybe a heavier bullet, not because I've seen any effectiveness (haven't shot a deer yet) but I like to play with the loads. :)

[swampdog]

I use .308, .35 rem, .44 mag. In the past I've used 12 gauge slugs, 30-30, 30/06, .357 mag and a .270. They all did the job, some are better at certain applications than others.

I've also used buckshot, hopefully for the last time.

[Bwana John]

7mm X 57mm Mauser

[Magnuumpwr]

At close range (out to 100 yds) I use my Marlin 1894 44 mag with 300 gr. hot loads. If I plan on taking shots over 100 yds, I use my Remington 788 308 with 168 gr. HP Federal Match ammo. With both I carry a S&W 629 44 mag as a jump and run preventer.:evil:

[rbernie]

7x57, 30-30, and 7.62x39.

[03Shadowbob]

165grain Core lokts out of the 30-06
170grain winchester silvertips out od the 336

[1911ShooterTJ]

7mm Remington Magnun, 150 grains

[kjeff50cal]

.308, 7.62 X 39 & .50 PRB X 90 FFG :D

[sm]

Rifle : 30-30 with 170 gr
Shotgun in 12ga or 20ga with slugs. Just smoothbore with plain vanilla slugs...

[Rottweiler]

.270

[Broom Rider]

270 or 280 along with a 44 mag.

[LAWDOGKMS]

.308, launched from a 20 yr old Remington Model Seven with 18" barrel.
I snatched this gun up at a gunstore years ago, because it had a beautiful walnut stock, and weighed about 5 1/2 lbs.

165 grain Hornady Light Magnums for deer..

180 grainers for hogs..

For me, this gun fills the bill for just about any type of hunting I do..and it has replaced most of my other longguns..

[bowfin]

It looks like the 7mm Remington Magnum will get the nod again this year, since that is what I have ready to go...

Other years it has been .308 (Savage 99), .270 (700BDL) or .30-06 (Savage 110LH).

Oh, and the .50 Knight Disc Rifle for blackpowder season.

[dfaugh]

Well, unfortunately, a 12 gauge with Brenneke slugs...we aren't allowed rifles around here.

[Pumpkinheaver]

.308 winchester 150 powerepoint
45-70 with handloaded 350 Hornady or 405 remington.
30-06 handloaded with 150SST
.41 Mag handloaded with 210 Hornady XTP or 210Sierra JHC

[Loyalist Dave]

Just like the man said on page one, .530 patched round ball with 70 grains of 3Fg behind it.

LD

[wanderinwalker]

250gr Shockwave in a SuperGlide sabot and either 100gr of FFg or two 777 pellets (depends on whether or not I'm going to shoot off the gun at the end of the day or just pull the breech plug). Haven't tested it on game yet, but I don't doubt that it will work.

Alternative after 11/8 will be a .44 Magnum.

[Blackfork]

That's always a shock to me when I read those words. Thank God Texas is up to now, nearly rational on that issue, though the state, owning all the game, has us hopping on one foot and rubbing our heads on all other hunting issues.

I shot the last two deer with a CMP Rack Grade WWII Springfield Garand and Lake City 1969 FMJs. I shot the first doe four inches under the chin while she was looking at me from 125 yards. (with my 100 yard zero on, does chin on the front sight blade.). The bullet went through and split her hide down about 1/2 the length of her back without penetrating.

The doe last week was at 120 yards. I took a shoulder shot. Hit her high behind the shoulder and went through. She took a little hop, ran about twenty yards into the treeline, spun once and went down.

1942 Garand. 1969 ammo. Good enough.

[Blackfork]

at www.theothersideofKim.com and www.alphecca.com

[TrapperReady]

Depends where I'm hunting:

If it's possible that I'll see deer (and have a clear shot) out past 100 yards or so, then .30-06 (usually 165gr). If it's a rifle zone and the cover is pretty thick, then 30-30 (170gr). Otherwise, it's 12ga with a 1oz rifled slug.

Although I will admit that the last time I rifle-hunted, I used a .30Rem. I was kind of glad I didn't get a shot, as I would have had to spend time scrounging around to make sure I found the brass. ;)

[alex9328]

I have used several rifles and handguns for hunting deer.

Handgun, started with Blackhawk 357 mag. have moved up to Blackhawk 41 mag.

My Pick: Blackhawk 41 mag. is my current favorite.

Rifles, WesternAuto bolt action in a 308, sweet rifle.
Marlin 336 in 35 rem., Savage 99, 300 or 308.

My Pick: Heavy brush or when Hogs are around Marlin 336 in 35 rem.
Light forest- pasture land WesternAuto in 308

I have other rifles in 243, 6.5, 25-06, 270, 30-06, 257 roberts, 8mm all nice to shoot and hunt with. Again my Picks will cover hog and deer 30's cailiber has been deadly on the game. All the deer have been dropped in their tracks, but shoot placement has had more to do with it than caliber.

Thanks, Alex

[dtalley]

6mm Rem. in the Texas Hill Country

[Hogfan1911]

.280 Rem 140gr Ballistic Silvertip, .243 Win 100gr Nosler Partition or Rem Core-lokt, .41mag Speer Gold Dot or Fed Castcore (rifle & revolver), .50 muzzleloader 300gr Hornady SST over 100gr 777, rarely 12ga w/slug or 00 buck. That's for deer. 22lr or shotgun for small game/other. Same .243 loads for varmints.

[A_Swede_17_1911]

I use 30-30 Winchester, right now Im going to handload some 150 flatnose bullets from Sierra, for the season this year. Also I do want to try that Hornaday Lever Evolution 160 Grain loads.


Next rifle is probably going to be a 257 Weatherby Mag, for hunting over vast fields. I was thinking about a .25-06 but the .257 Weatherby carries more energy futher. Granted so would a .30 caliber as well, I just dont want all the recoil either.

[MrTwigg]

1 1/4oz, 2 3/4in 12ga remington slugs, fully rifled barrel.
I live in PRM, can only use a rifle for varmits & bear.

[Slow]

Either a 180 grain Winchester Partition Gold .357 or 260 Grain Georgia Arms 45 Colt +P....Might also use a 300 Grain Hornady XTP-MAG .454 . I took a 140lb doe with the Winchester factory load at 63 yards broadside using a red dot scope on a GP100 6". There are hotter .357 factory loads available... Doubletap,Buffalo Bore, Corbon,Grizzly etc.

[MarineTech]

I use Hornady's factory 150gr. SST load in my Remington 673 Guide Rifle.

Generally, even though I reload, I like to buy several different boxes of ammo for my hunting rifles in case something happens and I need to pick up ammo locally for a hunt. The Hornady's were one of the types I tried and almost fell over. I was getting 3/4" groups off the bench with it out of the rifle.

Put aside any thought of loading for the rifle and just bought 200 rounds of it from the same lot.

I've taken 2 deer with the load and downrange performance is excellent. Neither deer made it 20 yards before packing it in.

[springmom]

.243 100gr Core-Lokt PSP by Peters, from a Remington 700.

Later this year, maybe I'll get out there with my SRH .44mag, assuming once it gets back from Ruger that it actually WORKS....:fire: :banghead: :cuss:

Springmom

[Hikingman]

7.5 Swiss w/ various handloads using open sights!

[JD_LION]

30-30 170gr in a Winchester 94AE tree-stand brush setup
.308 150gr in a Savage 11GNS for open field setup
.45 with 150gr of 777 in a CVA Optima Pro during FRONTSTUFFER season

This is my starting line-up for this year, I'm 10 days away from Rifle Season:D

[Waywatcher]

.30-06 pointed soft point.

[ArcherandShooter]

.30-.30 in the new Hornady LeverEvolution. Great rounds, accurate as all get-out, and plenty of punch left over at impact.

[s&w 24]

44 mag 240 nosler HP over H110

[Deer Hunter]

I use a 30-30 Marlin 336, a STG58 FAL, and a Mosin Nagant M44 (203 grain SPs) during deer season.

[pablo45]

.308 for every and anything. I have found it to be a very well rounded round to use and not too big for smaller game and not too small for the bigger game. Plus ammo is fairly cheap and the accuracy is great. It is not a .270 but it will hit what i shoot at. I trust it up to 300 yard's.

[vmfrantz]

30-06

[High Planes Drifter]

.30-06 loaded w/Remington Cor-Lokt 180 gr.
Whack 'em dont track 'em.

[Bane]

12 Gauge 2 3/4in Remington Slug
308 150gr Winchester Power Point

[flatdog]

T/C Contender, 7-30 Waters 120 gr. Sierra Gameking BTSP-FN.

T/C Omega, .50 cal 250 gr. Barnes TMZ over 3 50/50 pellets of 777.

[DEERHUNTERMK77]

i just ordered it! goin to pick it up from the gun dealer soon ive got a Ruger mk77 stainless with wood stock in 300 winnie its a bad mother!!!! had a muzzle brake put on it and the guys who shoot next to me get mad ha ha ha !!! they tell me to move to another area cause the noise and pressure ithink it's funny ....... cant wait till i take the old 338 out!!! the 7 rem mag is a nice round but it will blow up at close range if you use a light bullet and damage alot of meat. but heavy bullets work awsome the 160 fail safe is a bad ass bullet . if any one has advice about the 338 winnie let it fly!!!

[deerslayer79]

7mm weatherby mag usin ass haulin 150 grain nosler ballistic tips,although I want to get some reloads done using 168grain A-max's

[bclark1]

30/06, 45-70... maybe 44mag one of these years.

[TexAg]

6mm Remington, .30-30, .45 Colt.

[.45 AUTO]

This what I would use, more or less.Rifle> .35 Rem,7.62x39mm, Shotgun> 12 or 20 gauge slug,Pistol>.45 ACP.

[FireArmFan]

".30-06 loaded w/Remington Cor-Lokt 180 gr.
Whack 'em dont track 'em."

That's the same as i use, works like a charm

[shooting time]

30-06 with 180 gr handloads for me and a 7mm-08 with handloads for my daughter

[USMC - Retired]

30-06 165 Grain Winchester Balistic Silvertip. Outanding performance!

[mike83]

Winchester 94 30-30, Remington 700 .243

[vinpar092]

.30-06 180 gr Hornady RN 57.5 H4350 nice clover at 100 yards and use out to 150 yards, 85% of the time. Then .270 speer 150 gr spirepoint boattail with 58.5 of Reloader 22 for long range 15% of the time.

[4fingermick]

308W with 150gn (small) 180gn (big) Corelokts, 444Marlin, 375W, 30/30, with cast, just getting the cast loads organised.

[Byron Quick]

7.62X39-don't remember the round. Some soft point, not FMJ. Only rifle I had at the time.

.35 Remington in a Marlin 336. 200 grain and 150 grain Remington Core Lokt.

Browning BAR Safari II in .300 Winchester Magnum. 180 grain and 150 grain Core Lokt. 150 grain Core Lokt blew up and absolutely ruined the buck's meat. Half of the meat was wasted.

.35 Whelen built on a 1909 Argentine Mauser action. 220 grain Remington Core Lokt.

Most of my shots have resulted in dead deer. I've had one doe shot with a .35 Remington Core Lokt that fell down right there and didn't kick for fifteen minutes. The rifle jammed up when I tried to chamber another round. To the point that tools were required to relieve it. Tools I didn't have with me. When I came down from the stand , the doe ran off. Hair on the ground the size of a dinner plate. Looked for that deer for four hours in a frozen beaver swamp. 16 degrees Fahrenheit. Never found it.

Probably about 75% of the rounds have gone entirely through the deer. Out of the ones that didn't, every single one had fragmented with the jacket separating from the core. This has me wondering if maybe I should choose another bullet rather than Remington Core Lokt. Not having a problem with accuracy or lethality. The deer I haven't been able to find were generally due to not being able to find them in the dark as they were shot just before the end of legal hunting at dusk.

Thoughts?

[danurve]

12ga smoothbore / Bow.

[ALHunter]

30-06. Either 165 or 180 grain.

[RyeDaddy]

45-70 Magnum 350 grain JFN from Buffalo Bore. It's a bit much for our Texas deer, but I don't have to track them... ever. ;)

[camaroman]

30-06 165gr Rem Core Lokt PSP (Rem 7400)

308- 150gr Win Ballistic Silvertip (Rem 788)

.44mag- Hornady 240gr jhp/xtp (Ruger SBH)

[md7]

.270 Win. 130 grain Rem Core Lockt

[spankaveli]

Last 2 years - 7.62 x 39
This year - 30-06

[SLAKLINE]

I've used the 6.5mm x 55 Swedish (139grn) for over 10 yrs now with excellent results.

I don't think I'll use anything else from now on for deer.

[MCgunner]

45-70 Magnum 350 grain JFN from Buffalo Bore. It's a bit much for our Texas deer, but I don't have to track them... ever.

They call the .45-70 a "magnum" now? Did they put a belt on it?:D

[KINGMAX]

Remington 700 ADL in .270

[RyeDaddy]

:) They call the .45-70 a "magnum" now? Did they put a belt on it?


Well, Buffalo Bore is calling their's a magnum, and the case is much thicker than any of the other off the shelf stuff by Winchester or Federal. I like it alot.

[MCgunner]

Well, Buffalo Bore is calling their's a magnum, and the case is much thicker than any of the other off the shelf stuff by Winchester or Federal. I like it alot.

Ah, I'd say call it a "+P...another over-used term I guess.:rolleyes: LOL

Semantics. I know the .45-70 can be loaded hot in strong rifles. In the Ruger number one, it approaches elephant gun status. :what: Just another neat old under-appreciated round. I might get a contender barrel in .45-70 some day, but I'll load it a might short of the .458 in that gun. LOL Shoot a big hog with that thing, though, you won't have to worry about penetration even loaded to contender levels. And, what I like about it, I could hunt with cast bullets. No need for expansion with a big flat point bullet.

But, my .30-30 barrel hasn't failed me yet.:D

What sort of firearm are you firing that beast out of?

[dispatch55126]

7.62x54R

[Steel Talon]

25-06
100gr. Nos B/T

Peace
SteelTalon:cool:

[RyeDaddy]

I've got a Marlin 1895 Cowboy with the original open sights. You're dead on about hogs, between the Marlin with it's 9+1 capacity, and my old (new to me) Vaquero 45LC, with which I will also be using Buffalo Bore's Heavy loads, I'm not intimdated by even the nastiest of Texas hogs. :evil:, hogs were a bit of a concern when I carried my .40S&W, but it was better than nothing. I've slowly come to the conclusion that I like big bullets more, even if my shoulder ends up bruised. :)

[Matthew Temkin]

.308 with 150 grain bullets.
To me it is the perfect caliber.
High power and short action.
Moderate recoil.

[HGUNHNTR]

357 mag, and 45 ACP

[Beau]

I was surprised to see very few BP responses.
it lengthens the season in Iowa, and all the dead ones are more reasons for me not to hit them with the car. They are like rats with antlers.:)

I like TC .50 White Mountain with 85 FFg. Short, sidelock,shoots where I point.
Sometimes 44 sabots, sometimes patched roundball.

[Geno]

This year I have two options at ther ready:

I sighted-in my SA M1A "Loaded", .308 Win, zeroed at 100 yards, using 165 Gn. Win Fail Safe ammunition. On the M1A "Loaded", I'm using the factory N.M. sights. This is for close-in shooting.

I also sighted in my Mark V, .300 Win Mag, zeroed at 300 yards, using 150 Gn Win Fail Safe. On the Mark V, I'm using a Leupold Vari-X 4.5-14X40. This is ready for the open bean fields.

The deer exit the woods at slightly over 1,000 yards. The Leupold is set to measure 600 yards. When the deer gets to 500 yards, the safety goes off. From that point in, they are easily within range. The longest shot I have made was 525 yards.

Doc2005

[culito]

.224 TTH 75 gr A-Max

[killzone]

When I m the North woods - I like the 308. If there are big openings and If Im stand Hunting I usually take the 270 with me but for the last two weeks I used the 7mmSTW ( I LOVE IT!)

[Texas Colt]

I normally use a Winchester 94 in 38-55 or my Anaconda in 45 Colt.

Today I took a nice spike buck using my 12 gauge Winchester 1300 pump with a brand new rifled slug barrel and Hornady's 300 grain sabot round. That thing rocks! I hit the spike at 30 yards and it blew the far side lung out. Very effective.

[maynard93]

280 Rem. in a 1903 Springfield or BRNO Mauser.

[vmfrantz]

30-06 170gr

[rwc]

.308WIN 150gr. Federal Fusion

[MCS]

Remington 870 12ga. fully rifled barrel and handload slugs
My part of Iowa center fires are not allowed for deer hunting.

[GunNut]

I've used 30-06, .300 win mag, .308 and am currently using a .25-06.

I'm thinking about switching to a .270WSM or possibly back to the .30-06. I may even consider going back to the .300winmag or a .300WSM, since some of my shots are 400+ yards.

Steve

[S&Wfan]

These rounds have been chosen, after much experimentation, for two reasons:

First, they have proved to be VERY accurate in my individual specimens of the following firearms.

Second, they have proved to be VERY effective against Whitetails that I've taken through the years.


PRIMARY RIFLE ROUND:
Bolt Action Rifle - .270win in 1973 Remington 700LH: 140 gn. Winchester "Fail Safe"

PRIMARY CARBINE ROUND:
Carbine -.44 mag. in a Ruger Deerfield Carbine: 250 gn. Nosler

HANDGUN ROUND:
Revolver - .44 mag in 6" barrel, 1990 S&W M29-5: 300 gn. Federal Cast Core

SLUG GUN ROUND:
Shotgun - 12 ga., 2 3/4" fired from a 20" barreled, 1969 Ithaca DSPS Model 37 smooth bore slug gun: Federal 1 oz. rifled slug

BACK-UP RIFLE ROUND:
S.A. Rifle - .30.06 in a Remington 742: 165 gn. Remington Soft Point

[benelli12]

30-06 with 180 grain remington soft point, and when im feeling lucky, i'll use a Ruger Super Blackhawk 7.5" 44 magnum, 300 grain XTP

[jonsidneyb]

Wow, some of you hunt with a whole lot of power and there are others amoung you that do it really light.

[Steel Talon]

Hello jonsidnyb,

Actually, it boils down to what an individual shoots well with, and can kill an animal cleanly with.

Peace
Steel Talon:cool:

[Chuck Perry]

45-70 in my XLR did the trick. Found this doe hiding out in a stand of pines while pushing out a field behind camp. Used a 300g Sierra Pro Hunter over 52g's of Reloder 7. I hit a bit lower than I wanted to, like to say the bullet deflected a bit off the heavy brush she was in, but probably just jitters on my part. She took off after hit, found her piled up about 25 yards away. Never did find the bullet, but did find a big 'ol chunk of bone laying where I shot her,and some pretty good heart damage while cleaning it out. Still at the processor's, but me and the kid should be eating deer burgers for lunch this weekend.
http://home.comcast.net/~chuck_perry/wsb/media/179373/site1036.JPG

[danurve]

12 ga. smoothbore

[bacardisteve]

450marlin 325gr lever evolution/ 30-30 170hp/ 30-06 150gr sst/ 270wsm 130gr bst/ 12 ga 3.5 inch lightfields

[parrothead]

I normally hunt with 7.5 Swiss. I use reformed .284 Win brass with a 165 Sierra GK hollowpoint, 44 grains of 4064. The big 7 point I shot with it didn't complain at all! My second choice is .303 British...

[Quickdraw Limpsalot]

.35 Remington in a Marlin 336cs, primarily.

[Sniper4Life]

.308

[kevin davis]

7mm-08, .30-06, .300 magnum, and lastly -- my .376 Steyr. I think it is fun to shoot.:p

[wheezengeezer]

first deer in the 70's with a marlin1894 in 44 mag,after that 243,25/06,6.5/06,killed over 50 with the 25,only one that needed a 2nd shot,i missed,offhand at 275 yds on the 1st shot.lost only 1 in 1987...ruger sbh/180 jhp/1900 fps/30 yds/lookin at me/dropped its nose when the trigger broke/hit his nose/got away/wont shoot that fast light s##t at a deer again.shoot elmers 250's at them now

[Twycross]

7mm WSM with 160 grain Accubonds.

[whelen]

200 gr 35 whelen stops them in there tracks,no tracking or unfound game, I love it.

[K.L.O.sako]

300 ultra mag, to much for deer i know but there are many degrees of wounded, but there's only one dgree of dead;)

[bowfin]

Here's how I decide the "best" cartridge rifle combination for me:

I go downstairs in a panic that deer season is a week away, find which rifle has the most ammunition available for which it was sighted in last time at the range, and go out two or three times to get some last minute practice, and that is what I take.;) That being said, it is most likely a 7mm Remington Magnum, .30-06, .308, .270, and in Blackpowder season, the Knight .50 Disc Rifle. I really don't care what it is between a .243 up to .338 or .35 calibers.

As for myself, which cartridge used (within limits) is much less important to me than the trigger, scope, and stock fit of the rifle. If each of the aforementioned is good, then pick any of the top 50 cartridges, and I am good to go. Yes, I can pick out some I prefer over others, but arguing cartridges is just a way to pass time, not to settle a question.

[phantomak47]

Add me to 30-06 since I just got a Remington woodmaster 742.


But I think my favorite rifle still is my old savage 99 in 300 savage.

[Desertscout]

I've killed somewhere's in the neighborhood of 125 deer with a wide variety of calibers. Here's what I can remember right off the top of my head.
.22
.22 mag
.223
.257 Roberts
.270
.30-30
.30-'06
.357 mag
.44 mag (both rifle and handgun)
.45-70 (Contender)
7mm TCU (Contender)
20 gauge
And I got my deer last year with my G20.

[762X39]

The first 8 deer I have taken were with my 6.5 model 38 (Norma 156 grain). This year because of technical problems (ok, I didn't properly set up my new MOJO sight in time for the hunt) I used my chinese SKS with some soft nose ammo from Bosnia. Kills deer just fine.

John

[Jimmy Newman]

Until yesterday, every deer I've ever shot has been with a 7mm-08, shooting a 139gr soft point or ballistic tip from Hornady (their light magnum loading) and it has worked well for me every time. Yesterday I used a .41 Magnum, so I guess I'm up to two calibers now :). I was pretty impressed with the .41's performance as well, although I think I need some expanding bullets (the 250grn hard cast lead bullets punched right through).

[Anvil1187]

.300WSM, 165 grn Nosler ballistic tip

[marksman13]

7mm WSM
30-06
30-30
.243
45 ACP

[Matthew Temkin]

Winchester Model 70 in .308
Backed up by a Marlin 30-30.

[JAMES77257]

300 ultra, I feel this a minimum considering the huge 150 lb. central Cal deer in my neck of the woods.:evil:

[firesafety3]

Savage 10FP in .308, Winchester Supreme Ballistic Silvertip 168 gr.

[kasTX]

30-06 - 3 deer - A bit much for central Texas deer at typical ranges (<150 yards). Might have been problems with the bullet (Nosler B-tip), but the round made a real mess of them, pretty much blowing up one of them. I might try reduced loads some time in the future.

30-30 - 2 deer - Works great, accuracy with handloads is pretty good. Not much to complain about here. Gun likes 170gr Speer FP so I use those. Doesn't mess up the deer like 30-06.

7.62x39 - 3 deer - CZ527 is light, handy, and ridiculously accurate. Shots have been 125 to 135 yards, yet have never recovered a bullet (Hornady SP). Deer have not gone more than 20 yards. Like the 30-30, pretty much ideal for the purpose, and doesn't make a mess of the deer. Still, I was surprised to see how many people here use it.

357 Magnum - 1 deer - Great match for Marlin 1894. Deer didn't go far, but internal damage was significantly less than 30-30 and 7.62x39. I would use it again if stalking deer, but would choose something else to use from a stand.

[jtpickensj]

Use to use a 243 80grain bullets now a 30-06 165grain corlok ammo.

[rwmcquigge]

:) i am partial to the .303 brit (150 grain federal)
low recoil and it hits like a sledghammer (for the size of the cartridge that is.
i know their s harder hitting calibers)but for deer this works awsome to 300 yrds, evan though most of my shots have been 50 yrds or less
reloads are evan better,

[Snappy_13]

30-06

[weeb]

use 25.06
35 whelan
12 ga.
7 mag
22 mag, lr, short
depends on mood and game
30-06 with 125 grn bullet works real nice too, for accuracy at length
i'd like a 204, dad shoots 22-250, but 204 relatively same with less kick

[45crittergitter]

Most recently, .416 Rem. Mag.

[Kimber1911_06238]

.300 WSM 180 grain power points

Federal 2 3/4" tru-ball slugs

250 grain harnady sst's with 100 grains of pyrodex

[GardDog223]

Rem 700P - 308 (yeah, that's cheating) :cool:

Win 70 - 300 WSM (long distance reach out & touch 'em) :evil:

[kitejag]

7mm-08 with 139 grain hornady light magnum ammunition...mule deer.

[Jrsmith]

.30-06; 180 grain... I've yet to miss one (with the .30-06) in almost ten years.

[Brian Williams]

7mm-08 in Win Mod 70 Compact Classic or 357 in Marlin 1894C
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=7605&d=1069260888

[tuck2]

The first mule deer I shot was back in 1953 with a Mdl 70 270 Win rifle, The last one was in the 2005 season with a .264 Win Mdl 70 Win rifle. Between those years I have shot deer with 22-250 Rem, 243 Win , 257 Roberts, 25-06 Rem, and 308 Norma Mag rifles. Most of them were with one shot. If my old body will let me I may take out a Win 94 30 WCF Saddle Ring carbine Mfg 1932 but have the 264 Win as backup.

[tomhorn]

284 win 88 358win 88 444 marlin 44 S/B 7 1/2 inch 270 win 70

[obxned]

Have used 30/06 a lot, but also 30/30, 45/70, .357, and quite a few with a left-handed Tennessee Mountain Rifle flintlock using .50 patched round ball that I dearly love. I also shot a couple with the .375 Winchester. This is NOT a .375 Magnum type – it is really just a 30/30 necked up to .375. It’s a darn fine cartridge, but ammo is hard to find these days.

[Troutman]

Cartridges used.

Rifle

.30/30......30-06.....300 Weatherby Magnum...44 Magnum (rifle)....35 Remington....32 Winchester Special....12 ga.Shotgun (slug)...

Handgun

500 S & W Magnum

[Ala Dan]

.270 Winchester is very popular for "Bama whitetails~!

But, I would probably use either a .243 Winchester, or a
.25-06 Remington.

[Sniper X]

New Mexico here, and I hunt with either some 105gr JSP in .243, or for bigger deer and elk I go with the Federal Gold Medal Match in 168gr BTHP. I also do hunt or did till last year with a 30-30 but forget what I loaded up in those but they were pretty darn hot! Even got a 6X6 elk last year with my TR Commemerative Winchester 30-30 carbine!

I am getting inot handgun hunting now and have had a TC for about 5 years but have yet to use it for hunting. I'm going hunting feral pigs this March twice and am going to take the TC in 357mag or .44 mag if I get the 44 barrel. I will also take my 1984 in .357mag, M4 and one of my bows too as you can hunt non game species here in NM with any weapon...even a spear or knife!

[jtpickensj]

Just added two more two deer rifle arsenal. A 270 WSM and a 6.5Carcano.

[glockman19]

I don't hunt dear but I'd use a Federal 160-180 grain .30-06.

[4fingermick]

240WbyMagnum 95Gn Partition, 308W (single shot Baikal) 150/180Gn Corelokt), 375Win Big Bore factory ammo so far, 250Gn cast when that runs out.

For Sambar there is a 270 minimum, I used 3006/150Gns Sierra and 308/150Gn Corelokts in the past, now tote a 300WM, using factory ammo at the moment 180Gn Corelokts, 180 or 200 Gn Woodleighs after that, 444 Marlin, 290GnRNFP Cast custom Lee mould (group buy on another board). Maybe 458WM/Lott when it gets made up with 400Gn Speers (always loved them) or a cast boolit.:D

[sharkhunter2018]

.30-06 from a Garand and 7.62x54R from a M44 and 91/30 sniper. just got the sniper, so i havent used it yet, but have used the M44. Something bout hunting with milsurps thats just so cool

[fast eddie]

35 rem or 7mm Rem Mag depending on location. I'd like to get something in a 308 or 7mm-08 though (Remington model seven?)

[EricTheBarbarian]

ohio 12ga 3 inch slugs, kentucky 30-06 or 8mm

[Picknlittle]

.35 Whelen, the 06 that grew up and got attitude :)

[wildfowl]

12 gauge 3" sabots in a fully rifled Browing A-bolt.

[countryrebel]

Winchester M70 30-06 most of the time
Remington M700 300 Win Mag
Ruger 30-06
M98 mauser
256 Newton(VERY NICE GUN)
Mosin M44
44 mag
45acp:neener:

[hounddog]

40 s+w
270...... Best
50 beowulf .... FAV
300 SAUM
30/30
44mag

[ejor]

ruger 270 win w 130g np's have used 243, 6.5x55,7x57,30-30,30-06

[gunmn74]

I am in Kansas now and I use 130 grain softpoint in a Winchester 70, .270.

When I lived in Colorado the 25.06 was king, not to big for Coyotes
and did a good job on Elk.

In Kansas the .243 is king very few Elk and .243 is good on Coyotes and
Deer.

[Hokkmike]

6.5 X 55 - Love it!

[uk roe hunter]

.30-06 with homeloaded 150gr speer hotcore

.243 winchester with homeload 100 gr hornady soft point or speer 105gr spitzer or 95 gr partition.

uk

[Lambo119]

.45 cal Barnes 180 grn with 150 grn of triple seven. Can't use rifles in Iowa :barf: so I use a smoke pole. :D

[learningman]

Swith and Wesson model 1500 in 223 with 55 grn ballistic tips. Used it for the last 7 years with out fail. Shot placement helps though.

[TnBigBore]

I mostly use old leveraction Marlins and Savage 99s. I use 30-30, 35 Rem, 45-70 and 300 Savage most extensively.

[arctictom]

45/70 , 300 grain Remington hollow points , after deer is down switch to 540 Garret solids , for growler defense.

[magnumman44]

Revolver 44mag 300gr flatnose hardcast
T/C Contender 7mmT/CU 120 gr ballistic tip
Rifle Rem Model 7 7mm-08 with 140 gr core-lokt

They all do the trick just fine

[ahhartenstein]

.30-06, 150 and 180 gr.
.50 cal inline smokepole, 250gr. sabot with 115 gr. b-powder
12ga. sabots out of a Remmy 870

[GaryM]

.223 for deer except the one I jumped up and had to quick draw on with a .44 mag.
Funny, my deer pistol is possibly more powerful than my deer rifle.

[Pitt762x54r]

7.62x54r


<=== What else would you expect?:)

[meathammer]

7mm Rem Mag.
I use Federal 175 gr. soft points. Part # 7RB I went with this round because they don't "grenade" as bad at close range like 150 gr. do and two holes are better than one. Also my rifle likes the heavier bullet better.

--meathammer

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

Depends on the day, the terrain, my mood...

With factory loads:

Win94, .32special
Marlin 336, 30-30

Hand loads for the following:

Springfield O3-A3, 30-06
Ruger 77, 30-338
Rossi Single, .243

Dan Wesson 15-2, .357mag
Ruger Redhawk, .44mag
Ruger SBH Bisley, .44mag

Sometimes more than one throughout a given day.

-Steve

[4fingermick]

"308W with 150gn (small) 180gn (big) Corelokts, 444Marlin, 375W, 30/30, with cast, just getting the cast loads organised."

Things have changed a little:

I sold the 308W pre 64 Mod 70 (I had 2, one in 243, one in 308, sold both, I'm glad they are both gone, I loved them, but was continually pestered by friends to sell them), I got a 300Win mag for Sambar (biggg deer). Actually I bought a Remington for a reasonable price, and then realised I had a big credit at the store and picked up a nib Ruger M77 Mk2, I'll sort out which one I prefer and sell or rebarrel the other one, 375Ruger maybe?) I forgot to mention that I carry an beautiful old 240WBY Mag MkV for deer sized deer and have since added a 308W Remington 7600 308W Police model with black stock and peep sights :D

Still have the levers and lead boolits, but am short of time lately, I'M USING FACTORY AMMO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE!!!! YES I KNOW I'M SHOUTING, SORRY ABOUT THAT, BUT THIS IS TRAUMATIC! :(

Remington Corelokts, is there any other deer ammo, I will use Woodleigh bullets when I empty the cases.

[Art Eatman]

mick, if that Mk II has the "tort liability" trigger, replacing it with a Timney solves the problem. BTDT.

Art

[Mannlicher]

Mostly with my Marlin 1894S in .44 Mag.

I also use a Marlin 30-30, a Marlin .35 Rem, .30/06, 8x57 Mauser, .270 Winchester and .308

[DeerHuntr]

Weatherby Vanguard Sporter SS (I love the look of stainless and wood!!)in .270WSM topped with a Leupold VX-II 3-9x50. Shot Federal 140gr Accubonds last year, will be handloading this year for the first time, will probably stick with the accubonds though, did a hell of a job.

Browning A-Bolt 12ga with the same scope was my previous deer hunting rig but MN changed our zone last year, gave me a excuse to buy a new rifle. I shot Federal premium 2 3/4" 3/4oz Barnes expanders out of that. Anything within 150yds was toast with that thing believe it or not.

Ruger GP 100 6" Stainless, 180 gr castcore's or partitions

[Belgiboy]

150gr Winchester ballistic silvertips in 7mm Remington Mag out of a Browning BAR, never fails.

[ojibweindian]

7mm Mag with a 150 gr. Core-Lokt loaded to 280 velocities. One deer with it late last year; it didn't go far (less than 100 yards).

[theken206]

150 grain winchester supreme balistic silver tip in .270WSM

150 grains of pure heartbreakin and life taking:D

[Shadow Shock]

.223 Remington with 55gr softpoints. works every time.

NOTE: I do not want to start another argument over this, I am just answering the question of what I personally use

[Hoplite]

30-06

[eliphalet]

30-06 in 150 gr. and I am careful where I shoot em so no meat loss. With a caliber this powerful I could take a trophy even if it is not a perfect shot if I need to. I like good quick clean kills, and a gun that will reach aways if need be, with plenty of power left, with reasonable recoil.

[RubenZ]

The best deer hunting cartridge :) .270 :)

Magnums are for folks who can't get good vital shots or get close enough to the game.

bring it :)

[lev83]

I have used a number of calibers to take deer including the .243, .270, 7mm, and 30-06. but must say I personally prefer the .270 Win. with 130 gr. fail safe bullet and 56.0 gr of H4350. Just seems to give slightly better performance at and past 200 yds.

[HippieCrusher]

Hands down most fun deer dropper...
...Beamon arrow tipped with a three bladed 100 gr Muzzy broadhead.

When rifle hunting it's my .243 or .270. I can drive nails with both of them at ranges of 150+ yds which is good for folks like me who take mostly neck shots for an immediate drop.

[rantingredneck]

Most of the time I'm using a 125 gr. Muzzy broadhead :)

During Muzzleloader season I hunt with a 250 gr Hornady SST Speedsabot over 150 gr. of 777 pellets.

During gun season it's either 150 gr. Corelokts out of a Rem 700 .30-06 or 2 3/4" or 3" slugs out of an 870. Or 3.5" 00 buckshot out of a Mossberg 835.

[Bowtie]

180 grain Barnes triple shock. Ruger No. 1 in 300 Weatherby. Elk and muledeer are the same season.

[timmyb21]

7mm Win. Mag. Kicks like a mule, but kills 'em good!!!

[Jason_G]

6mm Remington. It may be the "pea shooter" of "deer calibers", but there are very few deer that I've had to track down. Most are DRT. I'm always amazed at the internal damage such a small bullet can do.

Jason

[salthouse]

280 Remington. Sandwiched right between the 270 and 30-06.

[MHBushmaster]

Brenneke Slugs, 7.5 Swiss SP, 7.62x51 with 150gr SP (Enfield 2A), or 30-30.

[Nautilus]

300 Savage

[30-06 lover]

Blacktail Deer - 6mm Federal 100gr. Nosler Partition
Mule Deer, Elk, & Black Bear - 30-06 Federal 165gr. Nosler Partition

-Mike

[TehK1w1]

.270 win or .30-06, depends on which one is handy. Also .50 black powder :)

[KINGMAX]

For my primary deer rifle I shoot a Remington 270 ADL, firing 150 gr. Remington Core-lok ammo. It has not let me down as of yet. I have not had to look further than 100 - 120 feet from where it was shot. I have had several neck and spine shots using this combo, the deer just fell over where they stood.

[gopher0]

Every Deer I have got was with #1 buck
Now I hunt with a
45 long gun with 70gr PB and a pached ball

[Twig]

30.06 220 grain
.357 180 grain

[LAR-15]

6mm Remington

308 Winchester

[Vityaz]

30-06 with 150gr Nosler Partitions.

[kmrcstintn]

.30-06 -- 150 gr Remington Core-Lokt in a Remington 760 Gamemaster

.357 mag -- 158 gr softpoint in a Marlin 1894C

.243 -- most likely 95 gr Federal Fusion in a Browning BLR...if the rear sight and scope mounting hardware ever get in and the rifle is setup by deer season

[41magsnub]

7x57 (7mm mauser) Federal 175 grain SP

[Regolith]

Unfortunately, I haven't done any deer hunting in a while. Football in high school took up too much of my hunting time back in my teens, and college is now tying up all of my time as well.

That being said, when I DID hunt deer, I used a .308 and a .280. Never killed anything with the .308, but I did take my first deer with the .280. The .308 was a Sako Finnwolf lever action, and the .280 was a Ruger M77.

[Dane]

300 wby mag baby

[Joshua C]

haven't deer hunted yet, but I plan to start, and will use a 7.62X39, for when I'm in the bush, and a 7.62X54 for more open areas.

[marlintime]

.30-30 or 30-06 and soon a .308 marlin express

[mustanger98]

I just went back over all 9pages of this thread. I still can't believe I missed it. It seems that between everyone who posted, everything's been covered at least twice, not that that's a bad thing.

My own deer cartridges...

.30-30 Winchester- 150gr or 170gr CoreLokt, 150gr PowerPoint, 170gr Hornady

.303 British- PMP (South African) 174gr SP when I can get it. (PMP also offers .303 with 150gr SP's, but I haven't tried them yet not knowing how those do with the issue sights.)

.243 Winchester- 100gr SP by Winchester, Remington, or S&B. I may try some PMP sometime too; their .303 stuff's good.

The above being listed, I also am fixing to test some .30-06 handloads... 165gr Hornady SP over IMR4064 for use in the M1 Garand and '03A3.

[mod700]

7mm 08 Hornady 139 gr sst light mag

[Curt Blunt]

Not currently hunting, but I do have a

Remington Mountain Rifle (1980's blue & walnut, not DM) in 7-08 w/ 4x Bushnell.
140 Nosler BT or Solid Base, 46.0 IMR 4350 = 5 into .6 @ 100yds.

Oughta do for a deer.:D

[hamourkiller]

Black powder bug has me right now, A .58 Caliber TC Hawken using a Green mountain Roundball Barrel, A .58 Caliber Virginia Flintlock, and a .62 Caliber TC Renegade using a Long Hammock Roundball Barrel. these three rifles are hungry and barking in the gun case ready for some deer or hogs to show up!

Here is the Flintlock making smoke
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/HamourKiller/flsmoke.jpg

Here is the TC hawken going off too
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/HamourKiller/tcfire-1.jpg

This is a 50 yd group from the Hawken
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/HamourKiller/80grload003.jpg

This is the Flintlocks performance.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/HamourKiller/80grload002.jpg

Every one have a safe and productive season.

[spankaveli]

30'06 is gone, 308 is in the closet now. not sure exactly what ammo to go with yet though :(

[ADKWOODSMAN]

Several favorites are 7mm-08, Remington Model 7, 154 Hornady handload., .308 Winchester, Remington 742 Carbine.,165 Hornady handload. .358 Winchester, and 35 Whalen, both with 200 gr Hornady's. 357 Herrett in contender super 14, 180 single shot pistol bullets or 146 gr. Speer 1/2 jacket.

[Kimber1911_06238]

.45-70, .30-06 or .300 wsm

[warriorsociologist]

Rifle...usually 7.5x55.
Sometimes .303. I haven't used my other "obscure/mil-surps" lately (7.62x54r, 8mm, 7.62x39...).

Handgun... .41 mag or 10mm... sometimes .357



SO, most often, it's a 7.5x55 backed up with a 4" .41 mag.

[Pigspitter]

shot the last two deer with a CMP Rack Grade WWII Springfield Garand and Lake City 1969 FMJsIn Georgia its illegal to hunt with FMJ's we can only use expanding bullets for big game. We can use FMJ for pigs though.

[dispatch55126]

Have no choice but to use slug, BP or pistol...and I have 160 acres in the country!!!

[Marlin 45 carbine]

.50 cal muzzleloader caplock, .45 Marlin Camp gun, Mini-30, and a Ruger Mk all-weather '06 for long range (for me plus 100 yards)

[mustanger98]

Quote:
shot the last two deer with a CMP Rack Grade WWII Springfield Garand and Lake City 1969 FMJs

In Georgia its illegal to hunt with FMJ's we can only use expanding bullets for big game. We can use FMJ for pigs though.

Hey Pigspitter, Not only can we not use FMJ's, I'm not sure we can use a Garand here either. I know about those 5rd en blocs and all, but I'm not sure how a game warden will look at the fact that the rifle is capable of taking 8rounders. I've been wanting to take the Garand out... I have some Hornady 165grSP's loaded over some IMR4064 I've been wanting to use.

Now, .303Brit and 8mmMauser... that's another story. I have hunting loads for .303 and I know how to get 'em for the 8mm. I've been doing some studying on that lately. It's not because I don't have a .30-30 and .243Winchester working; it's just because I like to play with the old stuff in general.

Somebody mentioned 7.5x55... that, of course, is the Swiss service round. I did some reading up on it in the Hornady 5th Edition manual. I was pleasantly surprised to see it takes the same bullets as .30-06 and .308 despite the 0.07" difference in designation... 7.5mm vs. 7.62mm.

[Pigspitter]

I think you could use the Garand, it depends on your game warden though. I've known the game warden to tell people that they couldn't use ARs with 10rd mags, but my friend's dad got permission to use his Chinese SKS with a 30rd magazine. I'm picking up a Mossberg 100ATR in .308win in 2 weeks so I'll finally have a respectable deer rifle for this season. Tell me how those handloads treat you, I reload and I should try the Hornady's but I prefer the Nosler partitions for deer.

[mustanger98]

I'm picking up a Mossberg 100ATR in .308win in 2 weeks so I'll finally have a respectable deer rifle for this season. Tell me how those handloads treat you, I reload and I should try the Hornady's but I prefer the Nosler partitions for deer.

If you're going .308, you probably better stick with 150gr SP. I have some of those loaded up too. Hornady's given me and Daddy good results accuracy-wise. Tell you one thing that happened... we've handloaded some Hornady 150gr round nose in .30-30 and got good accuracy in my old Winchester. Well, seeing how Hornady lists that same bullet for .30-06, Daddy went and loaded up 20rd in it too. That 150gr RN shot better in his Ruger .30-06 than the 165grainers did, as well as outshooting most every other bullet he tried in it. And that 150gr RN is crankin' 2800fps +/-. December 24 of '04, he got up that morning and went to my blind... killed a real nice big 6pt buck that didn't expect either of us to be there. Daddy told me, and I saw the entrance and exit wounds, that everything ahead of the deer's diaphragm was turned to mush. The deer didn't walk 20yds before dropping.

Now, though, I'm wondering what you think you have to have for it to be a "respectable deer rifle". I have no doubt your new .308 will do the job, but .308's not nearly the only viable deer cartridge out there. For instance, I'm a believer in .30-30 just as much as in .30-06. The buck I killed last fall, I used my old Winchester .30-30, punched the lungs with a 150gr CoreLokt, and the deer was just as dead just as fast. It's mostly all in what you like.

[M_Olson]

Have no choice but to use slug, BP or pistol...and I have 160 acres in the country!!!

same here :( you in shoreview? i always thought it was more of a suburb, didnt know it had too much country. i go down to owatonna and its the same there, i use a 12 gauge slug in one of my dads shotguns, i think its 2 3/4".

[grizz5675]

I have used : mossberg 12 gauge....marlin 30-30.....browning a-bolt in .308,this year going out with a mossberg 4x4 in 338 win mag, thats right a 338 mag. they will drop and stayed dropped this year.:)

[pfrnkln]

Up in NY some areas allow rifle some dont and I hunt both...for deer

For Rifle, my Rem 30/06 with 150 gr Hornady ballistic tip handloads

For Shotgun - rem 870 with rifled barrel - Copper solid sabots

For muzzle loader -

CVA 50 cal Kodiak - with 245 Grain copper hollow point powerbelts and 2 50 grain pyrodex pellets
Or
the Ol' cap lock 50 cal - patch and ball with 80 grains lose powder

100 grain muzzy fixed blades for archery

for bird - the 870 using what ever load for the bird we're huntin'

toss in the savage 22 for small critters and soon to come the .223 (pending purchase) for varmints

[frankcostanza]

slugs or 30-06

[cpttango30]

It depends on what and where I am hunting.

For Deer: 6.5x57mm, then a 308 target rifle (Bean Field Rifle) and my od as dirt 30-06 Rem M30 Express.

Varmints: 308 Target rifle and my rem 700vls in 223.

If I hunt at my hunt club then it is my Mod 12 with 00 Buck from a ground blind.

[Josh M.]

Killed about 6 with various 12ga slugs.
Killed 5 with custom Ruger in .45 Colt.

I've never hunted with a deer with a rifle...some places I hunt it's allowed, others it isn't...the boundry between rifle zone and shotgun zone is litterally at the end of my driveway...I never felt under gunned.

This year I may try to take my first deer with a rifle(7.5x55 Swiss)...might even try my first fancy expanding bullet...of course, I'll need to cross the street first. - JM.

[kmrcstintn]

buried claymore mine using pressure sensitive trip mechanism and topped with deer cain smack dab in the middle of a heavily traveled deer trail...

takie it easy...I am kidding...

:D

[kmrcstintn]

update...made some drastic changes to the collection and since dad is joining me, the list grew a bit

Remington 760 Gamemaster in .30-06 w/ Remington CoreLokt 150 gr sp

Marlin 1894C in .357 magnum w/ Federal American Eagle 158 gr sp

Browning BPS in 12 ga w/ Lightfield Lite 1 1/4 oz Reduced Recoil Sabot Slugs & rifled choke tube

Ruger GP100 in .357 magnum w/ Federal American Eagle 158 gr sp

Savage 111G in .25-06 w/ Remington CoreLokt 100 gr sp (miniscule possibility since this is being setup to varmint blast with in Spring '08 using handloaded Hornady V-Max 75 gr)

[mustanger98]

Regarding post #240, a guy I'm aquainted with at my club's range... he was in Iraq and they have coyotes over there. They appropriated a bunch of frozen pizzas from the mess tent and piled 'em up outside the wire and let 'em thaw out which ain't hard over there. Anyhow, the guys pulling guard duty got on the radio with him and let him know they coyote was there. So he went out there and hit the claymore clacker and got the coyote. I thought that was pretty a good story, but I'm also thinking they could've used 5.56mm probably just as easily.

Did ya'll see on the news how a lot of our guys, during and right after the invasion, were hunting in Saddam's game preserves?

[Legionnaire]

Zombie thread! Cool! But I'll play again. I've taken deer with ...

.30/30
.308
.30-06
.44 Mag (Revolver)
12 Gauge slugs
... and 100 grain Thunderheads (archery)

All depends on where I'm hunting.

[RevolverMan567]

plan on using a browning a bolt 25-06 this year. worked up a load this weekend consisting of 52.2 grains of H4831SC over a winchester large primer, virgin winchester brass, and a 117 gr hornady sst ballistic tip. shot nice and tight and 6 shots took down the 12 diameter pine i was using as a target prop. think it'll do a deer in.

[WuzYoungOnceToo]

...he was in Iraq and they have coyotes over there.
Unless someone imported them, coyotes do not exist in the wild outside of the Americas. What they're likely mistaking for 'yotes are something like the Golden Jackal...

http://tinyurl.com/35ag4o

...or similar small species of wild dog.

[frogomatic]

35 whelen 250 RN

454 casull 240 XTP

[halfacop]

310 gr. 44 Magnum / Thompson Center Contender 10".

It appears to do the job well. :D

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p23/halfacop/100_0406.jpg

[elk tracker]

Browning 338 win. mag. w/boss (225 grn. Hornaday heavy magnum)
or Marlin 1895 4570 w/26" octagon barrel.
Deer sometimes get in the way when Elk hunting.

[Bartkowski]

Browning 338 win. mag. w/boss (225 grn. Hornaday heavy magnum)
or Marlin 1895 4570 w/26" octagon barrel.

I bet you never have any run away with those guns.

[single action]

.303 british, 100gr ff black powder with 365gr buffalo bullet, 180gr .357 magnum ( carbine)