the best deer cartridge

[dxt20]

i suppose the question of the century is... what is the best deer cartridge out there. i suppose the two most argued over are the 30-06 Springfield and the 270 winchester. the 30-06 has probably taken more deer than any other. the 270 is a popular among deer hunters also. i happen to dislike the 270 because of its speed. in order to get a good wound channel you must shoot a ballistic tip with a 270. 30-06 you can shoot anything. i also think that a 30-06 and 270 is an overkill for a deer. i believe that the 30-06 will kill deer no problem but are a better elk gun than deer. i like something like a 308, 260, 7mm-08, and even the 243 are enough power to kill any deer. thats just my opinion. what is everyone else out theres opinion. no hate mail please ;D

[ozark]

There are a dozen or more rifles out there that are great deer killers. All these popular rifles have a wide selection of bullets to choose from. I think selecting the bullet to use for deer is more important than the caliber used. But there is nothing wrong with having a favorite caliber, a favorite action or even a particular name brand. Rifht now my favorite is a.243 Savage 10 using a Nosler partition 85 grain bullet. That doesn't mean it is actually better. Just a current favorite.

[whyohe]

the best deer cartridge it the one you can cleanly and efficiently kill a deer. this is varied from person to person. IMO the 270 is the in between of the deer cartridge. the 243 is the lowest i would personally go. Is there over kill??? i guess there is. there are some that use a 300 win mag. is it necessary? IMO, not under 200 yards but you might need it if shooting 250 + yards at big deer. i also know some use a 7mm mag. but then a gain its his only rifle and he does go elk hunting and it works well for that too.
how many deer have been harvested by a 30-30? IMO ALOT! when shot placed well with proper bullet it is a clean and efficient harvest. i have a 30-06 for deer but i also did some shooting out too 275-300 yards at mid sized deer (200 LB live weight).

[dougedwards]

25-06

[petev]

.308, or if walking or for close shooting, a .35 Rem carbine. The .308 is accurate and packs plenty of punch.

[rossman40]

30 years ago I would think for the most deer taken it would be a tie between the 30-06 and the 30-30. The 30-06 was more for out west and the 30-30 in the east. For my deer rifles (centerfire) I've had 30-06, 7mm Mag and lever actions in 30-30 and for up close in the brush .44 Mag. You figuire 7 million 1894 Winchesters have been made, with the majority in 30-30, making it the number 1 in sales. And of course the 336 Marlin is number two. At a range of 150 yards or less the 30-30 is perfect. If I want a long range shooter the 30-06 fits the bill and you can buy shells in just about every store, gas station and mom&pop shop that sells ammo in America. Plus it has enough umph to put down anything in North America, if you have the kahunas.

With the large selection of cartridges today it is more the preference of the shooter. The greatest deer slayer I ever known used a .22 pistol and a spotlight.

[raf]

I've owned and used almost all the calibers mentioned. One that wasn't mentioned is the 303 British. Thousands were sold here after the war and they were cheap. Everyone had one. I did and shot my first few deer with it. My father had one and used it on deer, antelope and moose. There are still lots around and in use here.

[dans]

The cartridge is only as good as the rifle shooting it. In a good accurate rifle any of these and a lot more will be fine. Then again how much accuracy do you need to kill a deer? Since many are killed at close range you don't need much. The ole 30-30 has probably taken more deer than any other cartridge or maybe the 44-40 both entirely accurate and flat shooting enough to get the job done for most deer hunting. It would be tougher out west but I see many deer killed on tv with archery equipment out there so its all relative. Bazillons of deer have been taken with shotgun slugs, buckshot, and really small caliberguns but ideal they probably are not for all situations. Ideal means take anywhere and not feel handicapped while hunting.The rifle I would want for all deer hunting for all time, would be a bolt action, medium weight barreled, stainless/synthetic and weigh in at about 8 pounds cocked, locked, and ready to rock. The caliber, the often over looked .284 winchester.

[tcmech]

Thats a loaded question if I ever heard one. I think that the 243 is an awesome deer cartridge. I personally feel that the best deer cartridge is whatever you can shoot the best out of your favorite rifle. I think that if I were to choose a different caliber it would probably be a 7mm-08. I have never used one but all of the reading I have done on it is positive.

[Tarheel]

I have about a dozen deer rifles and I keep using the same 2 or 3. I agree with tc, the best cartridge is the one you can shoot the best and have the most confidence in. For me that would be my Browning BAR 30.06 with 125gr. Federal Game-Shok. Most cartridges that fire 100gr or bigger bullets at least 2800-2900 fps should be fine depending on shooter skill.

[ozark]

This thread has made clear that we have a wide variety of good choices. Also, where we hunt can mean taking long shots or faced with short to medium shots. As for bullets (which are critical) most calibers have a wide variety of bullet designs and weights. I like the .243 because it doubles as a deer, bear and varmint rifle. It has good velocity and is capable of reaching out farther than I will be trying to take game. Add to that light recoil and superb accuracy and I seem to have exactly what I need. I have not lost any deer shot with it although one did run 75 yards directly toward me. That one was fleeing from dogs and probably had a lot of Adrenalin flowing through its body. Others have been calm and simply dropped straight down. I have had similar luck with a wide variety of rifles that have been mentioned in this thread. I believe it all boils down to there are no one best deer rifle. Many are capable of doing a perfect job on deer. But it is fun to point out the reason for you current favorite.

[chuck41]

"What's the best deer cartridge?" Now that is sure to get more different opinions than anything including " What is the best sure fire pick up line in a bar?"

I live in Arkansas, and here there are probably more deer killed with a 30-30 than any other caliber. I have personally used .223, .308, 35 Rem, and 40 and 45 cal bullets in the Savage muzzleloader. All work quite satisfactorily and make quick humane kills. Some of my buddies swear by the 270 and 7mm Mags and others swear at them. "Too much noise & muzzle blast!" they say and I tend to agree. Lots of folk like the 30-06 and, like the 30-30, its been around killing deer for over a hundred years so I guess you can't argue with success.

A gazillion poachers have a preference for .22 rim fire although I certainly wouldn't choose that path. They also tend to shoot from roads after midnight, also practices I would rather avoid. Truth is, most any center fire rifle will kill deer if you make reasonable shots. If you don't make reasonable shots most all calibers will simarily result in lost deer.

If you pick the center fire rifle that you can use effectively and you have faith in it, then it will kill deer for you. That is not the case with large bear or thick skinned or dangerous game. Deer are really easy to kill, even pretty big deer. I recently purchased a 7mm-08, but have not yet used it on deer. My choice there was made more because of the flexibility of the cartridge for a variety of game and target shooting and the fact it is a nice comprimise between an effective long range cartridge without going to the magnum calibers with their much higher muzzle blast and sharp recoil in a light rifle. Some would pick various other calibers like the .243, .308, or 7mm mauser for the same criteria, and their choice is probably just as valid as mine.

As to that other question I found that, "Hi, I'm a Leo, what's your sign?" worked better for me than "Gee, for a fat girl you sure don't sweat much."

[zakjak221]

I've used the 25:06 & .270 with great results back when I hunted in Missouri.
If you did your job with placement, the 120 gr & 130 gr bullets (Remington Cor-Lokt) did theirs.

Mark

[pposey]

After using a .270,, 30-30,, .308,,, and 30-06,,, I am now a huge 7mm-08 fan,,, put a 120 BT at 3100fps and any deer on 4 legs is dead fast,,, 140 accubond for larger critters

[DHinMN]

The best deer rifle is one that fits you and you can shoot acccurately. The catridge size depdnds where you hunt. If you hunt where the shots are around a 100 to 150 yds I'd use a 308. If you hunt the western states you need something that will reach out 300 plus yards. A 270 is hard to beat. A lot of cartridges will fill the bill. I hunted the western states my hunting companions and I have used these cartridges. 243, 264 win mag, 270, 30-30, 308, 30-06, and 338 win mag. I thought the 30-30 was inadequate. The 308 doesn't reach out like the 270. The 338 is over kill on deer and antelope. It's an elk gun but that is what he had and it did perform well. I say again what ever you can shoot accurately and is adquate for the job at hand. DH

[farmallm51]

I won a Remington 722 in .257 Roberts in a Moose Club in PA years ago. I have only shot two deer with it but both dropped were they stood. Impressed me!

[deadeye]

there is no such thing as the best deer cartridge,imo -however i really never understand "overkill",please dont hate me on selecting the 50bmg in which i do have considerable experience ;D ;D ;D///revision-im really trying to say accuracy or well placed shot with the proper bullet matched to the game is certainly more important than the caliber,the 50bmg is approx just a little more than 100fps than the 270 give or take a setup if you get the drift!

[whelenman]

Of course you can tell by my username that I really like the 35 Whelen but I shoot many different calibers. They all work in the proper hands and when used within their capabilities.

[Deleted]

I have used many different calibers over the years just to try new things. I'll list some of the calibers I've used then name my favorite at the end. 243, 6mm, 25-06, 308, 270 wsm, 30-06, 280, 7mm rem mag, 7 mm stw, 300 win mag, 300 wby mag, 8mm rem mag. They are all effective and great calibers, some over kill granted but my personal hands down favorite is the 280 rem. Just an absolute awesome caliber, especially for whitetails. As long as it fits you comfortably and you can shoot it comfortably and accurately, it's a good deer gun.

[sincyrman]

I use a 7 mag as I hunt over a large field, but the cartridge has another huge advantage. Since I reload, I can make this caliber do just about anything that I need it to.

[6ptsika]

If I'm being lazy and want a light rifle I carry a Remington Model 7 Stainless Synthetic in 260 REM , 7mm RSAUM or 300 RSAUM .

If I'm gonna have long shots I carry a 98 Mauser Sporter I have in 6.5-06 or a Remington Stainless Synthetic BDL in 264 WIN MAG and lately I've added a nice old Ruger #1B in 270 Weatherby Magnum .

I am also quite happy using a 7mm REM MAG although I no longer own one .

Right now I am thinking long and hard about getting a Savage 10 Camo Whitetail in 7mm-08 , this is the MO Brush camo rifle . I'd mount the Nikon Predator 4.5-14x in MO Brush camo on top and I think this would make a smashing treestand rifle and beanfield rifle out to 400 yards .

[pposey]

You would like the savage 7mm-08, I have 2 of the Stevens 200s and they are the same basic rifle sans accutriger,, both have shot well with anything I have put through them, a 120 Ballistic tip and 45 grains Varget with CCI LR primer has been the hammer of Thor on 8-10 deer now and a couple of hogs.

[whelenman]

Nov 24, 2009 11:53:10 GMT -5 pposey said:

You would like the savage 7mm-08, I have 2 of the Stevens 200s and they are the same basic rifle sans accutriger,, both have shot well with anything I have put through them, a 120 Ballistic tip and 45 grains Varget with CCI LR primer has been the hammer of Thor on 8-10 deer now and a couple of hogs.

Everybody knows that you can't kill a deer with that varmint weight bullet. Your deer and my deer neither ones are dead. Here's a picture of the 120 compared to the heavier ballistic tip. The thicker jacket is the key. They're one dandy deer bullet and really fly flat out of my 7mm Remington Magnum.

[pposey]

Hahahahahaha yep I've been in a few good argument over that over on the 24hourfire,,,, the 120 is a different beast than the 140 and heavier BTs in 7mm,,, almost like the cut the front end end off of a heavier BT jacket, the last one I recovered weighed 61 grains in a raggity mushroom after hitting several bones on both sides of the chest and scrambling the chest inards. Didn't exit though so it must have failed,,,,,,

They are a pleasure to load and shoot as well,,, I'm getting 3100fps with 45 grains varget and thats a max load, 46grain loads started to cratter primers, no increase in velosity, and muzzleflash went up,,,, 44 grains was a little less accurate, still moa though,

[whelenman]

I think the 7mm cartridges make a good combo for our smallish southern whitetails. 7-08, 7x57, 280, or 7mm Rem Mag......they all work well. Pposey, I run a mild 7mm Remington Magnum load with the 120 Ballistic Tip at 3251 fps. Here's what they do out of the beanfield Savage 110 at 100 yards. It's hard to beat them.

[rmclaughlin]

7rem mag is what I go with.Also 260 is hard to beat

[mountainam]

My favorite whitetail cartridge is the 6mm Remington. It's like a .243 magnum. With 90 grain Speers I made drop dead kills out to 275 yards during some Ohio deer damage culls.It shoots smooth,you don't lose your sight picture and it gets there fast. With the 105 gr. I've made lightning bolt kills on boar too. All neck shots of course. It's an all around caliber that you can use for chucks and deer.It's too bad it's pretty much obsolete because it is a better cartridge that a .243 Win. It has a nice long neck that really shines for the reloader and the shoulder angle is sharp 26 deg.

[rjhans53]

WOW same old topic different day, Now that being said I'm giving my preferences and I am ok with you using what ever you want to as long as it's legal, In the last few years harvested deer using 7-08, 308, 7 x 57 (howa action) ML II and a 338 fed. I'm currently running under the belief bigger is better (for me) and have locked into the 338 federal using 200 gr speers. My next project I'm going to build (on a mauser action) and play with a 358 winchester to see if it impresses me. I have a 45-70 but doubt I will ever take it to the woods (I bought it hoping to have a breech plug installed in it)

[cfvickers]

short range (0-150)-45/70, long range (beyond 300 yards less than 750) 6.5-284, Medium range (75-300)-6.5x55, Extreme range (750 on)-any .300 that will push at least a 165 gr. bullet to 3200 fps or more. My EXPERT opinion!! Ha.

No I am no expert but 6.5s kill deer grave yard dead where they stand, when hit in the bread basket, more than 70 percent of the time. 45/70, need I say more? And, the .300 magnums carry energy a long ways. Note on the 6.5s, they need an impact velocity of 1700 fps or better with most 140 gr. bullets to kill with efficiency.

Oh, AND SINGLE SHOTS KILL DEER DEADER!!!

[artjr338wm]

I own rifles in .338wm, two 7mms, 300wm, 6.5x55, and several 12ga bolt guns as well. If I were going to go deer hunting tomorrow and could use any rifle in the world I would use my M700 in 338wm. The caliber and cartridge itself has little if anything at all to do with my selection.

The fact that is I simply shoot that 338 M700 so well under hunting conditions, I rarely make poor shots with it and it is the rifle I have the most confidence in that i have ever shot. Once I shoulder it, it becomes for lack of a better explanation a actual extension of my body it fits me so well.

With the huge selection of excellent performing bullets available to deer hunters today, caliber is simply not all that important any longer, marksmanship always has and always will remain the most important factor. With all the super performing calibers out there it is IMHO simply impossible to make the claim which is the best caliber for deer hunting. IMHO there is no performance advantage between calibers like the 30-06, 270, 7mm Rem/mag 270 wsm, 7mmwsm, 280rem, 308, and even the 7mm-08. All these calibers are IMHO deer hunting choices that all are even in terms of which is the best for use on deer.

Now a days unless you wish to become proficient enough a marksman to make shots out to 800 to 1000yrds, calibers for hunting deer above .243 simply are not that important any more.

Personally I plan on buying a rifle for use as a dedicated light weight mountain rifle and I will buy either a Tikka T-3 or Sakko A-7 in 300wsm as I feel the 300wsm will handle any deer or elk I ever shoot with it out to the range of 800 or so yards I plan on becoming proficient enough to shoot to.

Why that rifle and that caliber? I have had a opportunity to shoot two T-3s and one A-7 and was greatly impressed how well rifles that weighed less than seven pounds shot and the 300wsm IMHO is the best all around caliber of the short mags.