Biggest caliber you would use on whitetail?
- Thread starter Arkel23
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JWF III
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Under (semi) normal conditions per OP, the .300 Win is more than adequit(sp).
Now I used to hunt on some family land in the lowcountry of SC (Bamberg County). We had one field that had 3 seperate stands on it. One in each corner on the same side of the field. One in the middle on the other side of the feild. Though we never did it for safety reasons, 3 people, one in each stand couldn't cover that field. It was close to 800 yards across, and close to 1200 yards long (maybe even longer). I would love to go back and sit in that field with a sure 'nuf, long range rifle (.338 LM or .416 Barret). The deer knew exactly where the stands were, and knew exactly where they were safe.
Now for this...
I'll stick with 7.62x51, but laod me up a couple hundred rounds in a Dillon Aero Minigun. A 5 second burst should do it.
Wyman
Now I used to hunt on some family land in the lowcountry of SC (Bamberg County). We had one field that had 3 seperate stands on it. One in each corner on the same side of the field. One in the middle on the other side of the feild. Though we never did it for safety reasons, 3 people, one in each stand couldn't cover that field. It was close to 800 yards across, and close to 1200 yards long (maybe even longer). I would love to go back and sit in that field with a sure 'nuf, long range rifle (.338 LM or .416 Barret). The deer knew exactly where the stands were, and knew exactly where they were safe.
Now for this...
I'll stick with 7.62x51, but laod me up a couple hundred rounds in a Dillon Aero Minigun. A 5 second burst should do it.
Wyman
dullh
Member
Biggest I'd go is a .300 WSM. The only reason I'd use my short mag is for more retained energy at long range, hunting power line runs for example. Close-in woods or any distance less than 350 yds my 7mm-08 is good at keeping the deep freeze stocked.
DawgsFan_07
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A buddy of mine, a tank sergeant was qualifying the 50s this one time, and a deer ran across the range... We ate venison bbq that weekend.
Legionnaire
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.30
Either .30-06 or .308.
Either .30-06 or .308.
Wes Janson
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I once heard a fairly credible story from an Air Force pilot who scored a kill on a hog with a 20mm Vulcan...game was recovered and eaten.
Maverick223
Member
^That's funny right there; I have heard dozens of tales of deer being hunted on the firing range at Bragg...but that is the first kill on a strafing run.
22-rimfire
Member
At one time, I would have said 300 win mag. But I feel that if you have a large bore rifle and want to try it out rather than let it sit in the safe/gun cabinet, by all means take it deer hunting, but take normal front shoulder shots and you won't ruin any more meat than if you used a 30-06.
Generally speaking something in the 30-06 class, with possible exceptions for some of the older lever action rounds like 444 Marlin, 45-70, etc. I also have a fondness for the 358 Winchester.
I must confess I once used a 458 Win Mag, but with a 350gr reduced handload. It worked quite well, but the 458 is too heavy to drag around the woods on a regular basis.
I must confess I once used a 458 Win Mag, but with a 350gr reduced handload. It worked quite well, but the 458 is too heavy to drag around the woods on a regular basis.
DutchmanDick
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For cartridge, I wouldn't hesitate to use my .45-70 Remington rolling block (built on an 1870's Egyptian contract receiver). Muzzle loader? I don't have anything BUT big-bore: an original (Nepalese) .577 Enfield rifle-musket (still safe to shoot!) or my kit-built 20 gauge Northwest Trade Gun (.60 ball)
The biggest I've taken one with is .35 Rem...did a fine job on a central Texas whitetail and a hog. I'm going to take one with a 50 bmg one day...will probably do a neck shot to avoid meat loss. I will be hoping a really big hog comes out though for a shoulder shot with the hollow points.
DC Plumber
Member
Well, I've been lurking for years and finally took the time to register so I could post. I really enjoy this forum. Feel freel to slap me up if I get out of line, which I rarely do.
OK, the largest caliber I've used to shoot a deer was my Ruger No. 1 .458 Win Mag. I bought it used from a guy in Texas. I've always wanted a big bore rifle and the price was right. I hand load for quite a few calibers and started loading for the .458 too. I shoot it with open sights only and limit my distance to 75 yards. I used a Speer 400g JFP over 65g of H4895. Nice mild load. I hit a spike buck at around 50 yards right in the lungs. He ran 60 to 70 yards and piled up. No meat damaged except that meat between the rib bones.
I used to hunt in shotgun only country and to me this isn't much different except probably more accurate in the right hands. I've always used a .30-06 whenever I used a rifle except for this event. I shot my 8 pointer this year with my Ruger Hawkeye in .30-06 at 75 yards and plan on using the Number one again next year with Hornady 500g RN Interlocks. My main goal is to get comfortable enough that if I ever get the money to go cape buffalo hunting, I'll actually have a little experience shooting at game with an appropriately powered gun
OK, the largest caliber I've used to shoot a deer was my Ruger No. 1 .458 Win Mag. I bought it used from a guy in Texas. I've always wanted a big bore rifle and the price was right. I hand load for quite a few calibers and started loading for the .458 too. I shoot it with open sights only and limit my distance to 75 yards. I used a Speer 400g JFP over 65g of H4895. Nice mild load. I hit a spike buck at around 50 yards right in the lungs. He ran 60 to 70 yards and piled up. No meat damaged except that meat between the rib bones.
I used to hunt in shotgun only country and to me this isn't much different except probably more accurate in the right hands. I've always used a .30-06 whenever I used a rifle except for this event. I shot my 8 pointer this year with my Ruger Hawkeye in .30-06 at 75 yards and plan on using the Number one again next year with Hornady 500g RN Interlocks. My main goal is to get comfortable enough that if I ever get the money to go cape buffalo hunting, I'll actually have a little experience shooting at game with an appropriately powered gun
S. Hill
Member
I know that this is the "Rifle" forum, but I would use the .500 S&W with no reservations.
ricebasher302
Member
I think the more impractical cartridges are the very fast ones. A .458 Win. makes more sense than a 7mm STW. Damage to meat comes from very fast and/or fragile bullets. A .243 Win. can create a tremendous mess in a shoulder whereas as a .45-70 won't. I just shot a small whitetail buck in the neck with a Remingotn 150 gr. Accutip BT from a 7mm Rem Mag. Range was 175 yds. and the critter's head was nearly severed. Overkill? yea. But a high neck shot doesn't really damage much. As boring as it sounds, it still all comes down to shot placement.
Kachok
Member
The biggest would be a .54 cal muzzloader, the most powerful would be a .375 H&H. That said they are both a HUGE overkill, my puney 6.5x55 drops them right where they stand with boring regularity, anything bigger is just showing off IMHO. A well placed quality .243 bullet will quickly kill any deer whitetail or otherwise.
The way I figure it...the bigger the cartridge the less work. No tracking, gutting, cutting, er' tenderizing necessary.
Now..THAT was funny!
testosterone
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I have a friend that regularly takes with with a 300 win mag.
FlyinBryan
Member
since the largest i have is a 30-06, it would be that one.
Coal Dragger
member
I would use a flame thrower. I know that doesn't really count as a caliber, but you could kill the deer and cook it all in one! Mmmmm-----mmmmmm!!!
I think you should use as big as you like. It's not as if the bullets explode on impact because they are "bigger".
I have almost exclusively used 30 '06 for all larger game but my Dad used nothing smaller than 375 H&H (his varmint rifle at times). He just loved the cartridge and could shoot it.
Once your hunting with any center fire you can ruin meat and I've seen 270s tear up as much eats as 375.
So I guess it's just your preference.
I have almost exclusively used 30 '06 for all larger game but my Dad used nothing smaller than 375 H&H (his varmint rifle at times). He just loved the cartridge and could shoot it.
Once your hunting with any center fire you can ruin meat and I've seen 270s tear up as much eats as 375.
So I guess it's just your preference.
Coal Dragger
member
The correct answer is flame thrower.
That way you don't have to cook them either!
oldfool
Member
243 or 30-30 for me
they ain't elk or moose or even mulies
they ain't elk or moose or even mulies
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