Arkansas Paul
Member
It's a matter of opinion of course, but I wouldn't go less that a .243. I really don't like them. I'd rather have a little too much than just enough. But that's just one fellow's opinion.
Minimum catridge for whitetail deer?
- Thread starter Visionz45
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dubbleA
Member
Smallest I use is a 221 fireball while the 223 gets the most work for culling at short ranges.
I dont under stand the size comparison, the last time I checked whitetail deer are not bullet proof. Poke a hole in their vitals and a deer is done whether it's a .22 bullet, a carbon arrow or a 20 ga slug etc.
I dont under stand the size comparison, the last time I checked whitetail deer are not bullet proof. Poke a hole in their vitals and a deer is done whether it's a .22 bullet, a carbon arrow or a 20 ga slug etc.
SwampWolf
Member
Michigan/Pensylvannia-I vote .243 Winchester, but would add that it's plenty powerful enough for whitetails in my neck of the woods.
Yes 221, 222, 223, 22-250 even 17 rem can get job done, but then again its a cold shot and you might have to track you buck, sometimes they can walk for miles till they expire, that's is why I don't use smaller caliber it is not a varmint however many farmers consider them as one. I like them drop without taking next step, well maybe jump in the air and hoist them high 
Frankl03
Member
I live in Missouri. It does not specify a minimum caliber just has to be a centerfire cartridge. They even let you use an air rifle although it has to be a certain type.
My personal minimum is 223 but this year I will be hunting with a 308 either an M1A or FNH PBR. If I had an AR with a 20 inch bull barrel I would hunt with that.
My personal minimum is 223 but this year I will be hunting with a 308 either an M1A or FNH PBR. If I had an AR with a 20 inch bull barrel I would hunt with that.
Arkel23
Member
.264 win mag, SC.
IndianaBoy
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My personal minimum is 243/250 Savage.
I consider the 223 to be marginal. We get some big bodied bucks in our area and I would hate to pass up on a quartering monster buck because I was carrying a varmint rifle.
I hunt with an 8mm Mauser loaded with handload softpoints, or a 30-06 if I am hunting open land where a shot over 100 yards might happen. There is nothing wrong with overkill.
I consider the 223 to be marginal. We get some big bodied bucks in our area and I would hate to pass up on a quartering monster buck because I was carrying a varmint rifle.
I hunt with an 8mm Mauser loaded with handload softpoints, or a 30-06 if I am hunting open land where a shot over 100 yards might happen. There is nothing wrong with overkill.
Hammerhead6814
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30-30 Winchester. Where I hunt, there is rarely a shot over 125 yards. The longest shot and kill on a whitetail I've taken is 164 yards, and the 30-30 did it's job.
.223 wouldn't work where I hunt. Waaaaaaay to much brush.
.223 wouldn't work where I hunt. Waaaaaaay to much brush.
scythefwd
Member
.243 / .30-30 / 7.62x39 are what I consider the minimum. I don't think the .223 is resistant enough to wind drift. There is also the whole I hunt in the brush thing.
That said, none of the calibers I mentioned are legal.... <10GA is acceptable in my county in VA. I will be using a .50 caliber muzzle loader instead.
That said, none of the calibers I mentioned are legal.... <10GA is acceptable in my county in VA. I will be using a .50 caliber muzzle loader instead.
jaholder1971
Member
Kansas requires it to be .24 or larger and a centerfire cartridge.
For me, 7.62X39 would be fine for a tree stand gun inside 100 yards. The only thing that this cartridge lacks is good rifles that shoot it. Yes, there are Ruger Mini 30's, CZ's, etc. out there but the vast majority are SKS/AK variants. They'll do the job, but not my first or second choice.
.243 is usually the minimum in my hunting party. With the heavier bullets it works fine if you keep the shots off the shoulder. .270 and .30/06 dominate the county I hunt in but there's a few .308's, .25/06 and my 7X57 Scout rifle roaming around, too.
For me, 7.62X39 would be fine for a tree stand gun inside 100 yards. The only thing that this cartridge lacks is good rifles that shoot it. Yes, there are Ruger Mini 30's, CZ's, etc. out there but the vast majority are SKS/AK variants. They'll do the job, but not my first or second choice.
.243 is usually the minimum in my hunting party. With the heavier bullets it works fine if you keep the shots off the shoulder. .270 and .30/06 dominate the county I hunt in but there's a few .308's, .25/06 and my 7X57 Scout rifle roaming around, too.
Remington 799 is chambered for 7.62 x39 and it’s an old Mauser action, but why would you use 7.62 x39 when its the same as 30-30 cartridge
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/featured_rifles/rem798_091406/
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/featured_rifles/rem798_091406/
R.W.Dale
Member
gatorjames85
Member
.223 or maybe .222 if you are going to be real dedicated to making a good shot at close range - Florida
Maverick223
Member
If I may be a little nosy...where is "here"?
otcconan
Member
In Texas, you can use .223 no problem. Climate dictates that the further north you are, the bigger the deer. Further south, smaller deer.
In Montana, .270 is minimum.
In Montana, .270 is minimum.
Well deer here in Florida are teeny weeny little guys compared to the rest of the States. Therefore 30-06 and .308 hits tend to be way overkill. In my humble opinion I believe that .243 & .270 are the minimum caliber's one could use for a reliable 1 shot center mass (below the shoulder) quick & effective kill.
I may have had bad mentors but I was always told the .223 is a glorified .22lr and its only purpose on the hunting ground is for ****ing up enemy soldiers & vaporizing varmints. (That may be rubbish but that's just what I was taught growing up)
My uncle Dave took his first whitetail deer with a .22LR in autoloader. I think he said it took five rapid shots. That, of course, was about 50 years ago.
For me, it depended on where I was hunting. If it was a high pressure area and I needed to drop it immediate in a single shot, I took either a .257 Wea Mag or a .300 Wea Mag. I have used a .244 Rem and it completely severed the deer's heart from the arteries at 300 yards (breast bone shot head-on). Lately, I have used a .300 Win Mag and a .270 Win.
After about 35 years of hunting whitetails and other big game, I have concluded that any caliber projectile that holds together and penetrates will kill a deer dead, and dead is an absolute.
Geno
For me, it depended on where I was hunting. If it was a high pressure area and I needed to drop it immediate in a single shot, I took either a .257 Wea Mag or a .300 Wea Mag. I have used a .244 Rem and it completely severed the deer's heart from the arteries at 300 yards (breast bone shot head-on). Lately, I have used a .300 Win Mag and a .270 Win.
After about 35 years of hunting whitetails and other big game, I have concluded that any caliber projectile that holds together and penetrates will kill a deer dead, and dead is an absolute.
Geno
Clipper
Member
I use a .257 Roberts, 'cause I love it (as far as minimum calibers, I wouldn't hesitate to take an elk with it), but my uncle would take his deer every year with a head shot from his trusty .218 Bee.
Vern Humphrey
Member
In my younger days, before my character was formed and I learned wisdom, I took two deer with .22 LR -- both clean, one shot kills. I wouldn't try it today. I don't have any real argument against the .223 Remington (with decent bullets designed for deer), but personally my stopping point is the .30-30, the .243 or a .50 cal muzzle loader with a minie ball.
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