Best Whitetail deer cartridge 2023

[horsemen61]

Ok guys it’s the month of March which in the world of sports means March madness which means a bracket so let’s have some fun and do something similar I guess

so here is how it’s going to play out Vote for what you believe to be the Best Whitetail cartridge of all time you get 1 vote cast it wisely and after you vote leave a comment on why you chose what you chose (You can Only pick from the list if it’s not on the list let’s not say why did you leave xxx off it’s the greatest ever!)

remember have fun defend your answer and just know that I’m putting these 1-24 in no particular order

I’ll Post shortly, mods please move if needed

 

[rust collector]

I opted for 6.5 Creedmoor because my forever favorite is 6.5x55 Swedish and the CM is accurate and adaptable. Yes, it's been overhyped but that doesn't mean it's not a good, capable deer slayer.

 

[horsemen61]

I opted for 6.5 Creedmoor because my forever favorite is 6.5x55 Swedish and the CM is accurate and adaptable. Yes, it's been overhyped but that doesn't mean it's not a good, capable deer slayer.

Excellent choice yeah I couldn’t justify putting the Swede and the creed both in there need more poll options lol but yes for whitetails I think a 6.5 Creedmoor would suit the 2023 deer hunter just fine

 

[Demi-human]

Um, 30-06. Because, obviously.
(And I even own a 450 Bushmaster…)

The singular cartridge every other deer hunting cartridge is compared to.
It may not have been first, but it does “Best” with dignity, history and aplomb.

Even the other O.G., .223Remington, doesn’t have half the range of bullet weights and suitable powders.

All the “New Hotness” cartridges do all the same thing, at a premium. Many falling far below what the venerable 30-06 will do, even, or especially, my beloved Bushmaster.

Technology has come a very long way.
But sometimes tradition is what’s needed.

And there are other classic cartridges, none that do it so well though.

 

[WisBorn]

With only one cartridge choice I went with 7rm. I feel that the 308win is the best all around whitetail choice, but I'm in a 7mag mood .....

 

[Ks5shooter]

7mm-08 never had one get away.2022 PA season.

 

[mcb]

Best in one setting/situation may not be best in another. I find I rarely pick the best. I pick the one that interest me most and sometimes that is far from the best cartridge because I am looking for a challenge or just want to use some weird cartridge. Case in point last year's cartridge was 30 Remington AR. A relatively new cartridge that is only slightly more recently declaired dead. But I like this red headed step child and made it work this year on a a handful of armadillos and one nice buck.

 

[red rick]

I vote any of these .
.243
6.5cm
.270
7mm08
.308
30.06
.35 rem
.350 Legend

 

[Captains1911]

308, because it’s what I use. What do I win?

 

[Legionnaire]

I’ve hunted with several of these and shoot others on the list that would be suitable. I voted 7mm-08. I like a short action cartridge and prefer the ballistics of .284 bullets over .308. Hard to make a bad choice from your list, though.

 

[Poper]

I went with .308 Win. I have used .243, 6.5x55, .30-06, .30-30 and .270. All have worked fine. But the .308 was my first at age 19 and will always have a fond place in my now 67 year old heart. A .308 loaded with a 168 gr. bullet is tough to beat on deer. Whitetail or mulie!

 

[mcb]

I have shot a fair number of deer over the years but have done so with only two of the cartridges in the OP's list

 

[troy fairweather]

What no 7x57

 

[Ru4real]

The best deer cartridge and gun hasn’t changed in 100 years. Still a 30-30 in a lever action with a peep sight.

 

[Kevinq6]

I voted for .308 because it has decent power and range but it will not do damage like a magnum. A .308 can fire a bullet with enough weight and energy to give some security regarding shot placement, and is pretty flat out to 200yds. If someone were a beginner and not sure of their hunting conditions it would be a safe choice.

Of course, as @Ru4real points out the objectively true answer is a lever-action 30-30 and always will be.

 

[.38 Special]

Are we talking a 75 pound Florida doe, or a 350 pound Minnesota trophy buck?

 

[ID-shooting]

You are missing 7.62x39. I hand load hunting ammo and does just dandy on white tails here in Tennessee

 

[Wolfshead]

I voted 7-08 because of ballistics.
I believe probably the .308 Win.
Short action (like the 7-08), can load a number of caliber weights, easy to get almost anywhere, can reach out if needed….
I have and hunted with the 30-30, 308 Win, and 30-06.
The 30-30 is a great gun but in my opinion is limited by range
30-06 is a long action, but can get easily in USA, and can shoot a number of different weights by caliber.
But, 308 Win only because it’s a short action and can be had almost world wide.
These are my opinions and based only in facts as I know them.
Others with more knowledge (not too hard to find) my be able to set this straight.

 

[mcb]

The best deer cartridge and gun hasn’t changed in 100 years. Still a 30-30 in a lever action with a peep sight.

Popular does not make it best, back then, or now.

 

[JDeere]

7-08 as she can shoot a wide range of bullets, with a flat trajectory, at any ethical distance for a kill. She has been around since the 50s and still going strong as a wildcat from those days. Now if we are going to get into anything other than whitetail class deer then that's a different deal...

 

[johnjohn]

.270 Win. i'm old fashioned (and old).

 

[Sniper66]

The proof is in pudding...as they say. I, my brother, and my best buddy have collectively killed dozens of whitetails,,,,all with the .243.

 

[Mousegun]

30-06 cause if 3 of em' are lined up just right, you can get all 3 and only spend a little over a "buck" to do it.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

A little geographic info would have made the call a lot easier. So, I went with a more east coast answer given that it was left open.

If I see another article written about the 6.5 creedmore I may lose it..........Just sayin

 

[JFrank]

The best white cartridge is still the 30-30, same as it’s always been.