Deer hunting caliber for shoulder injury

XP-100 would be perfect, even if you only have one arm. 7mm BR would be my pick or a down loaded 7-08.

If you have a 308 and don’t want to blow a lot of money, I would down load the 308 to 300blk velocity’s. I struggled to find a decent bullet for killing stuff but https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010410999 is a winner. Running just under 2100 fps @ at 50 yards, the only hogs that have taken a step after being hit with one, were already running.

Yes, the 40x was the inspiration for them both.

Your AR would work with proper bullets and effective shooting. I’ve seen lots of deer killed by .223

I don't think any of those are ideal. A 243 will kill any deer that ever walked and do it with around 10-11 ft lbs of recoil vs 18-21 ft lbs from a 308 or 30-06. The 6.5CM or 260 will do the same with around 12-14 ft lbs of recoil and shoot bullets heavy enough to be legitimate cartridges for game up to elk. If you're looking for an excuse to buy another rifle, there it is.

Your 30-30 on paper is in the 12-15 ft lb range, but lever guns just hurt more than they should for the amount of recoil they give. Then 7-08 has nearly identical recoil as 308. If you can download 7-08, you can download 308 to the same recoil levels. Some of the 30 caliber 125 gr bullets would be a real option.

But if forced to use what you have my choice would be the AR. With good bullets, at moderate ranges 223 is a deer killer. Recoil is in the 5-6 ft lb range. About 1/2 of 243.

I had rotator cuff surgery at the end of October , six years ago and I went rabbit hunting with a pump 20ga shotgun in February and it didn’t bother me and that was on my strong side .

I don’t think that you will have any problems by deer season shooting your .308 , especially since it is your weak side . I would ask my doctor though .

I have had a broken shoulder twice and a torn rotator. I have used a variety of AK's and AR's to kill large deer. Both work but the AR has slightly less recoil, is far more accurate and is more effective with proper expanding bullets designed for deer, not varmints.A 243 is good but more recoil. I have had several of them. As William Bell said, it's not the size of the bullet, it's where you put it.

Buzznrose said:

Your AR would work with proper bullets and effective shooting. I’ve seen lots of deer killed by .223

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+1

jmr40 said:

I don't think any of those are ideal. A 243 will kill any deer that ever walked and do it with around 10-11 ft lbs of recoil vs 18-21 ft lbs from a 308 or 30-06. The 6.5CM or 260 will do the same with around 12-14 ft lbs of recoil and shoot bullets heavy enough to be legitimate cartridges for game up to elk. If you're looking for an excuse to buy another rifle, there it is.

Your 30-30 on paper is in the 12-15 ft lb range, but lever guns just hurt more than they should for the amount of recoil they give. Then 7-08 has nearly identical recoil as 308. If you can download 7-08, you can download 308 to the same recoil levels. Some of the 30 caliber 125 gr bullets would be a real option.

But if forced to use what you have my choice would be the AR. With good bullets, at moderate ranges 223 is a deer killer. Recoil is in the 5-6 ft lb range. About 1/2 of 243.

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Good info IMHO

I had rotator cuff surgery a year ago.. still feels "strange" and have some pain occasionally... I shoot ARs in many flavors now mainly because I dont wanna go through all that again... So I'm being very conservative in what I wanna do so I don't have any trouble doing what I have to do... for a little while longer anyway... Just my 5¢ worth... adjusted for inflation...

Any semi automatic rifle would suffice in reducing recoil. My vote would be the SKS as i dont like to use 223 on deer.

FWIW i use a 243 with 75gr HP moving well over 3300 FPS on deer here in KS who feed heavily on corn and beans. Big bodies compared to our neighbors in MO. A 55 gr from a 223 at under 3000 fps doesnt set well with me for this purpose.

By the time deer season begins, you should be good to go with what you have listed. My recommendations for deer hunting with the AR is to use a 75gr bullet. I've used the BTHP from hornady and was very successful culling deer a couple of years ago. My second recommendation would be to use your 30-30, using a 170 grain bullet and since your eyes are bad, put a Williams peep sight on it, it will help with your bad eyesight. Third the 30-06 is great use a 125 gr, bullet or a 150, even if you have not healed well by then the recoil should be tolerable by deer season.

Good Luck, and keep us posted on your healing. For now I would stay off rifle shooting. If anything if you have a 44 magnum handgun that is a good alternative also.

BigBlue 94 said:

Any semi automatic rifle would suffice in reducing recoil.

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My old 30-06 Remington 742 kicked harder than my 300 win mag BAR.

You mentioned you have a Black Powder rig. IF your hunting alone and IF your hunting for recreation and not subsistence, relax in the blind or shoot house and concentrate getting something to come in close and sharpen your wood craft by being extra patient and observant. IF the shot comes, have a gentle load dialed up in the "old smokepole". Your biggest danger IF alone is recovering and cleaning your game. Again, Think small (doe)

I believe they make a reduced recoil load for your 308. I would take a long look at a 243 rifle. You will grow pretty fond of it as you age.

I used to diss them, but If I were in your situation, my Savage 110 in 6.5 Creedmoor would be my deer getter. It's tame as it is, but it came threaded and with a muzzle brake it shoots like a 22lr.

jmorris said:

My old 30-06 Remington 742 kicked harder than my 300 win mag BAR.

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Hmm lighter gun maybe? I would much rather shoot a gun with a spring and weight in it vs a bolt gun, given the same caliber. At least as far as recoil is concerned

Your Black Powder rifle will kill deer with ease and be a great memory maker also. I wouldn't hesitate to use one.

don't know, but I was amazed at when I shot an AR prone a few times, that the recoil seemed almost non existant to when I fired it standing or kneeling

With bullets designed for big game, the AR.

Reloading would solve a lot of issues.
Even younger kids and smaller females have little problems with 125 gr at 2400 FPS in a 30-06.

I load my 06 with shot gun powders. IE Red dot and green dot. With cast and plated bullets. I get 2000 fps with them. And recoil is very nice. I have cervical spine issues. And i can't shoot full power loads for long.

ldlfh7 said:

I do reload for my 308 and 06. Never loaded anything under 150 gr. Should I look to 125 gr bullets around starting loads? I’m still worried that may be a bit painful. I’m kind of leaning towards the muzzle loader and shots under 50 yards. I do have help if needed to pull the deer out of the woods.

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I feel your pain, has rotator surgery dominant side. Couldn't handle recoil st all for a couple years, thought I was done, but bought a savage m111 243 win and didn't feel much at all. First shot I took with it yo sight it in I thought I was hit with a piece of paper.

On the 4th of July I went to the range with a fellow forum member and shot his 6.5 prc it has a heavy recoil impulse but not a fast impulse. Was quite comfortable.

If you are going to download your 308 or 06 ID try h4895 its a very forgiving powder that is used Ina lor of reduced loads.

As for hunting with your other current options you could use any of them. I loaded 130 gr Varmint bullets in my type 56 and went hunting, that was 25 years ago but did use my 223 bolt action with 60 gr nosler partitions to good effect on a smallish doe, tough angle inside 30 yds. The bullet broke her onside shoulder and exited the offside ribcage. So full penetration at near muzzle velocity. Your ar would likely performs well.

I use between 50 and 75 gr of 2f black in both of my muzzle loaders and don't get touch recoil from either of them. Anyway it shouldn't be too difficult to find a gun that will work for you firing hunting season.