Best deer caliber
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jmorris
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What deer at what range?
Lots of stuff will work inside 100 yards just fine on 100lb field dressed whitetail, that would be less than ideal for other areas and deer.
If there was actually ONE single BEST, we wouldn’t have any other choices to pick from.
Lots of stuff will work inside 100 yards just fine on 100lb field dressed whitetail, that would be less than ideal for other areas and deer.
If there was actually ONE single BEST, we wouldn’t have any other choices to pick from.
horsemen61
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6.5 Creedmoor
it does all I ask of it
it does all I ask of it
earlthegoat2
Member
For me it is 450 Bushmaster. Bottleneck cartridges aren't legal in some of the places I hunt deer. So, if I could only have one, that would be it.
Followed closely by 44 Mag.
Followed closely by 44 Mag.
There is no best. There are a ton of calibers that all do the same thing. Most shots on deer in this country probably average less than 150 yards. Heck, they might even be less than 100. Some calibers may shoot faster, or flatter, or kick harder, or be louder, but they'll all kill a deer. There is no best. Give me anything from .223 and up, and I'll find a bullet that will get that job done. I prefer stuff larger than .243, but again, they'll all get it done. Anything else is just about arguing and talking shop.
Captcurt
Member
I have always said that If I could have only one, it would be a 30-06. That doesn't explain why I don't have one now. I have a 243, 6.5 CM, and a 300 WSM so I am covered for about anything that I will hunt. However, an old 06 will too.
You ask what is the best for deer. That is like asking which girl is the prettiest, or is a blond better than a redhead. It depends on who is looking.
You ask what is the best for deer. That is like asking which girl is the prettiest, or is a blond better than a redhead. It depends on who is looking.
crestoncowboy
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If I only got one and didn't have any criteria I'd make sure I had enough rifle. 300 rum, 300-378, 7mm rum, 338 lapua. Wouldn't care which. I've used all but the 300 rum
If whitetail at long ranges 300 mag or 7 mag. Wouldn't care which. I currently use 300 mag.
If whitetail at typical 0-300 yards that I see people shoot is all I'd ever see then 270, 30-06, 257. 25-06. Wouldn't care which. I used to use a 257 and 25-06
If whitetail at long ranges 300 mag or 7 mag. Wouldn't care which. I currently use 300 mag.
If whitetail at typical 0-300 yards that I see people shoot is all I'd ever see then 270, 30-06, 257. 25-06. Wouldn't care which. I used to use a 257 and 25-06
Buzznrose
Member
30-06 is an excellent answer to more “what rifle...” question than most any other caliber.
Technically, two nuclear bombs won the second one. Nobody dropped .30-06 on Nagasaki.
I too, however, like the .30-06 a lot. Very versatile.
Buzznrose
Member
I have owned several great deer/antelope/elk rifles in my day. Had them in 30-30, .308, .243, 7MM Rem Mag, 25-06, and 22-250. I never actually owned an ‘06...and I no longer hunt.
But if I was starting over today, and know what I know now, I’d buy a quality 30-06 and call it good!
But if I was starting over today, and know what I know now, I’d buy a quality 30-06 and call it good!
NMachine
Member
Another vote for 30-06. 125 to 165 grains for coues, whitetail, or mule deer. 180 or 200 grain for my “favorite deer” elk.
Technically, two nuclear bombs won the second one. Nobody dropped .30-06 on Nagasaki.
I too, however, like the .30-06 a lot. Very versatile.
How many nuclear bombs did we drop on German and Italy, or, don't they count?
A shooting bud of mine, died a couple of years ago, he was in the Occupation Army in Nagasaki. Said the ground was crunchy. Because of his MOS he was issued an M1 Carbine and he always wanted a M1 Garand due to its better accuracy, range, and stopping power. When I asked him about picking up M1's from dead or wounded, he said by the time the fun had died down and the Medical or Graves registration were picking up the bodies, they also picked up the Garands and put them on the stretcher with the body.
stillquietvoice
Contributing Member
I used to shoot 06 and 7mm rem mag, but can't anymore. I'm now using 7mm08. It'll work on anything in the lower 48 except perhaps grizzly.
troy fairweather
Member
7mm mauser. Well most 7mms lol.
.308 Norma
Member
What jmorris said. There's a lot of deer hunters (particularly back east) on THR that hunt deer where a 150 yard shot is uncommon. But then there's a few of us out west that sight our deer rifles to hit dead on at 250 yards because 150 yard to 300 yard shots are not all that uncommon.
Regardless of that, my vote is for the 30-06 for an all around deer rifle anywhere in the lower 48. On the other hand, I know from reading some of your other posts that you already have a 7mm-08, and IMO, that's a pretty good choice too.
By the way (nitpicking here) my 308 Norma Magnum is the same "caliber" as my old 30-06, and my wife's 7mm Remington Magnum is the same "caliber" as her old 7mm-08s.
Nature Boy
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I’m with fats
Random 8
Member
If I could only have one, I'd keep my .280. Realistically, anything capable of sending a 6.5mm to 8mm bullet at 2600fps or higher would fit any scenario I care to hunt.
Why the .280? It shoots flat if I want it to. It penetrates deeply if I want it to. It slings lighter, faster opening slugs fast if I want it to. It's a 7x57 or softer if I want it to be for shorter range deer in the woods. It's kind of like a 30-06 for eccentric people.
Why the .280? It shoots flat if I want it to. It penetrates deeply if I want it to. It slings lighter, faster opening slugs fast if I want it to. It's a 7x57 or softer if I want it to be for shorter range deer in the woods. It's kind of like a 30-06 for eccentric people.
mustanger98
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Last week, I saw a deer get shot from 80-100yds with a .30-06... I never saw a deer hit the ground so hard and fast... DRT. The handloaded round was a Hornady 150gr RN and they said according to the load book, it was supposed to be running about 2500fps... not much faster than they advertise factory-loaded 150gr .30-30's.
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