Dr T
Member
The right answer, of course, is that it depends. I was tinkering in my safe tonight and reflected on the cartridges and loads that I have used to take whitetails over the last 50 years. Not including the 22 WRM Ruger Single Six that I use to administer the coup de grace on wounded animals, they are:
6 mm Remington Factory and Handlandloads, 85 gr and 100 gr
270 Winchester Factory and Handloads, 130 gr.
7 mm - 08 Handloads, 145 gr
30-40 Krag Handloads, 165 gr
308 Factory Loads, 150 gr and 165 gr
30-06 Factory and Handloads, 150 gr, 165 gr, and 180 gr.
300 Weatherby Magnum Factory Loads, 180 gr.
The two longest shots were with the 6 mm (325 yds, 100 gr), and 30-06 (315 yds, 150 gr).
The two shortest shots were both with a 30-06: about 20 yds (from the top of a windmill to a water trough with a 150 gr bullet about 48 years ago), and 40 yards with a 180 gr about 7 years ago. The 40 yard shot is the only kill I have made with a 30-06 where the bullet hit the heart, failed to exit the body, and spoiled no meat.
The only shot I have intentionally made through brush was with a 300 Wby Mag (I only hit one twig about 1 mm in diameter. The bullet was canted slightly at impact based on the entrance wound about 1 m past the twig. The bullet impact, however, was close to point of aim)
As far as I can tell, each one of these deer was just as dead as every other one.
So the bottom line for me is, the best whitetail cartridge is going to depend on the most comfortable gun you have in your hands when the opportunity presents itself.
When I see discussions of 308 vs 30-06, or 300 Super vs 300 Win Mag vs 300 Wby Mag, I take pleasure is examining the vary points of comparison. But the cartridge is only one part of the system you use to hunt. The performance of the system as a whole (Rifle, Cartridge, Bullet, Load, Shooter) has to be considered. IF the selection of a 6 mm Remington over a 243 Winchester gives the the shooter more confidence and allows him to shoot better, the shooter should take the 6 mm. But if selecting a 300 Wby Mag over a 30-06 would make the shooter overconfident and enable him to choose a bad shot that he would not consider with a 30-06, he should stick with the 30-06.
As I write this, I am planning the rifles to use on the ranch this coming fall. Right now, I am leaning on taking my Ruger Frontier in 308 with a Marlin 336 Big Loop in 30-30 as a back up. But I also have a 243 Tikka that is begging to go. The decision will likely be made at the range. Based on my shooting lately, I have a lot of practicing to do.
6 mm Remington Factory and Handlandloads, 85 gr and 100 gr
270 Winchester Factory and Handloads, 130 gr.
7 mm - 08 Handloads, 145 gr
30-40 Krag Handloads, 165 gr
308 Factory Loads, 150 gr and 165 gr
30-06 Factory and Handloads, 150 gr, 165 gr, and 180 gr.
300 Weatherby Magnum Factory Loads, 180 gr.
The two longest shots were with the 6 mm (325 yds, 100 gr), and 30-06 (315 yds, 150 gr).
The two shortest shots were both with a 30-06: about 20 yds (from the top of a windmill to a water trough with a 150 gr bullet about 48 years ago), and 40 yards with a 180 gr about 7 years ago. The 40 yard shot is the only kill I have made with a 30-06 where the bullet hit the heart, failed to exit the body, and spoiled no meat.
The only shot I have intentionally made through brush was with a 300 Wby Mag (I only hit one twig about 1 mm in diameter. The bullet was canted slightly at impact based on the entrance wound about 1 m past the twig. The bullet impact, however, was close to point of aim)
As far as I can tell, each one of these deer was just as dead as every other one.
So the bottom line for me is, the best whitetail cartridge is going to depend on the most comfortable gun you have in your hands when the opportunity presents itself.
When I see discussions of 308 vs 30-06, or 300 Super vs 300 Win Mag vs 300 Wby Mag, I take pleasure is examining the vary points of comparison. But the cartridge is only one part of the system you use to hunt. The performance of the system as a whole (Rifle, Cartridge, Bullet, Load, Shooter) has to be considered. IF the selection of a 6 mm Remington over a 243 Winchester gives the the shooter more confidence and allows him to shoot better, the shooter should take the 6 mm. But if selecting a 300 Wby Mag over a 30-06 would make the shooter overconfident and enable him to choose a bad shot that he would not consider with a 30-06, he should stick with the 30-06.
As I write this, I am planning the rifles to use on the ranch this coming fall. Right now, I am leaning on taking my Ruger Frontier in 308 with a Marlin 336 Big Loop in 30-30 as a back up. But I also have a 243 Tikka that is begging to go. The decision will likely be made at the range. Based on my shooting lately, I have a lot of practicing to do.