Favorite rifle caliber for whitetails

[zeboman]

What is your favorite rifle caliber for whitetails? I use a 30-06,never lost a deer with it.

[Mike81]

I shoot a Remington Mountain SS in .270 Win. Every deer I have ever shot at ended up in th deep freeze...:big_smile:

[dafin]

I shoot a Winchester pre 64 mdl 70 super grade in 264 win mag . I have taken many Elk and Deer with it.

[boilerman]

I've used several, but I killed this one with my .270, so it's my favorite.

[Slick Skin]

243....100grain v-mav..I don't shoot deer with a gun [bowhunter only]but I know what it will do to yote's ....here's one..428 pace's from barrel to bone...http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2319835234_398f7bcc02_o.jpg

[SKYNYRD]

you guys might think about this new gun to use http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpRHdjBj5ZI

[CountryHart]

I've shot an old weatherby in 270 Win. for the past 20 years. When it goes off, it smells like meat grease fryin. Really like it for deer.

[Zing]

I really like the 25-06, 120 gr nosler , flat shooter and deadly on the deer.

[BigSlippy]

i shoot a remington sendero 25-06 all you need

[zeboman]

you guys might think about this new gun to use http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpRHdjBj5ZI

That is one wicked sniper rifle,thanks for sharing.

[kuhlcat]

i shoot a 25-06 and it has never failed me yet. i've killed a couple elk with it too.

[RiverratSC]

Mossberg ATR 100 in .30-06 usually a 180 gr. or 168 gr. because I have a 900 yard shooting lane on my left and a 300 yard shooting lane on my right. Not that I would ever try for a 900 yard shot but its there either way.

[big_fish]

45-70 govt no tracking

[tiny b]

Blackpowder I use my Lyman Great Plains 50 caliber. Otherwise I use my Rmington 25-06.

[curdog]

I like a 270 for open country and a 30-30 for wooded country.


Rex, Welcome to BOC!!!

[xringer3]

I've killed deer with several different calibers over the years. It depends on where I'm hunting and how open the shot is or how brushing the terrain is. I've only lost one deer and that was to a 243, not the guns fault though.

I like my 270 or 25-06 for open country. I like to use my short barreled 308 for my woods hunting. I just picked up a 45-70 with 26inch octagon barrel. It might be my new favorite as it seems like it will put the fun back in to the doe hunts.

[melstangman1967]

What is your favorite rifle caliber for whitetails? I use a 30-06,never lost a deer with it.i like a 30/30 as long as u aren't hunting in alot of open spaces long distances

[steveg442]

I shoot a 7MM Mauser. It's been getting the job done for me foe years.

[223reload]

[quote=Slick Skin;964839]243....100grain v-mav..I don't shoot deer with a gun [bowhunter only]but I know what it will do to yote's ....here's one..428 pace's from barrel to bone...http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2319835234_398f7bcc02_o.jpg


I shoot a 243 also. But the V Max bullet is designed for varmints. I handload my 243 with a 100 gr Speer hotcore.

[spcmitchell28]

I use a Savage 110 in 270 Win. It always seems to get the job done right.

[massa_jorge]

i shoot a weatherby .30-06, 165 grn win softpoints- anchors them where they stand almost every time.

[john catfish young]

I shoot a 30-06 remington with 150gr. soft points. Most of my shots are under 200yds. Never lost a deer. :ooooh:

[waynesburgjay]

I like the 30-30

[Angler4life]

We can't use rifles for deer in Ohio, but we can use them for shooting deer on crop damage permits. I prefer to use my Remington semi-auto .243 cal.

[vtjefferson]

in the woods i like a 30 30 if iam huntin open feilds i like a 3006

[badkarma]

I have killed deer with just about every thing that goes boom and some things that don't but I think I stick with my 3006 because all I have to do is see hair in the scope and it's "one shot one kill".

[Big B]

I would have to pick my Browning A bolt II in a 270 for long range. With the B.O.S.S. that thing is a real tack driver. But if its brushy you cant beat a 30-30.

[fishin4cat]

.257 or a .243 is my choice

[derail]

I'm gonna stick with my 30-06 Ruger firing 150 gr. Remington Core-lokt rounds. Dropped quite a few with this combo and different ranges, they always drop fast.:004:

[okiecop]

I have to go with a .308 I like the round and it is good either short or long range.

[catfishbills]

I have shot just about everything, to harvest deer, but ALWAYS go back to the "ol trusty" 30-06! I have a Steyr in that caliber that punches a single hole for a group at 100yds and it is a LIGHTNING BOLT! I used to reload Alot, but with the advancment of factory ammo I just use factory stuff now that the individual rifle likes! In the 30-06 Steyr I use Winchester ballistic silver-tips 168gr. :wink:

[chambers bd]

300 weatherby mag
270 win
8mm mauser
444 marlin
223 rem
30/30 win
22
12 ga
50 ml

soon m1 garand 30 06

[chambers bd]

22 not for deer

[223reload]

300 weatherby mag
270 win
8mm mauser
444 marlin
223 rem
30/30 win
22
12 ga
50 ml

soon m1 garand 30 06

.223 aint a deer cartridge either ,Brian,but thats quite an arsenal buddy.

[irishangler]

I live and hunt in the Appalachian Mountains in SW VA so long shots aren't usually required. I've used my late father-in-law's .243 for the past 7 years and haven't lost one deer. I like the fast and flat trajectory for good shot placement.

Mike

[ladyfish50]

My first deer I killed years ago was with a .44 lever action. Then I started using my husband's .270. He finally bought me a Ruger .308, which I LOVE! It's on a Manlicher stock, so it's shorter & fits perfect. This past year he bought a Browning .270 A-bolt & it is SWEET! I've killed 2 deer with it so far. It is such a good handling gun.

[chambers bd]

I can handle all weapons, my mind is the best adjunct,

But I really love my 300 Weatherby Magnum.

I cant wait for my M1 Garand 30 06:big_smile:

[Katmandeux]

No offense, but caliber is almost totally irrelevant...to put it into perspective, I don't want to get shot with any of them.

Now, bullets are another matter...some scare me a whole lot more than others.

[samh]

I love my rifles, have used .243, 6MM Rem. .270, 25/06, 7MM Rem. Mag., 30/30,30/06, .32 Win Spl, .300 Win Mag, . and a few others including .45, .50 and .54 caliber muzzle loaders. I've killed more deer with a 30/06 than any other caliber, but my new love is a Tikka T3 Hunter in 25/06. It's got a lot more to do with where you hit'em, than what you hit'em with.

[tkoehler]

I shoot a Savage 30-06. Only had 2 deer in the last 14 years take more than 5 steps. Drops em cold at 300 yards without hesitation.

[hunter]

I shoot a Savage 30-06. Only had 2 deer in the last 14 years take more than 5 steps. Drops em cold at 300 yards without hesitation.

I firmly believe that's just good shot placement than caliber of rifle.

I use 30/30, 30/06, 7mm mag and 300 weatherby mag. Farthest shot to date was two years ago with perfect conditions at 540yds with the 7mag, shooting 150 grain nosler ballistic tips.

[iFish]

I would have to say my favorite is either the .270 or .30-06, but i have killed deer with a .243, .35, .270, and .30-06

[montgomery#1]

I shoot many guns and my favorite for something as small a whitetail i would shoot my 22-250 or my .22 Hornet. But the biggest whitetail ive seen was smaller than my lab. Trust me you havent seen a big deer until you see a big utah mulie.

[oklahoma caveman]

il throw my vote for the 7mm-08, iv killed deer with 223, 243, 30-30, 30-06, 12 gauge and a handful of other calibers, but i sure do love that remmy 7mm08

[SWAMPRAT]

i shoot a browning a-bolt 25-06 and a browning bar 300 win mag and i love both of them

[varmint_sniper]

Remington mdl 700 243 with 100gr. core-lokt's puts em down and a num of other game also. thats my choice

[David Knotts]

I like the ole 7MAG, and the 7mm-08, I've killed deer with lots of gun, and still those two guns are the ones I like best.

[Indigo Flats]

I am partial to the 30/06.

[Slick Skin]

243 Remington 700 I don't shoot deer with a gun [bow only] but I know what it will do to coyote's..and it will do it a long way's out there too.

[catfisherman_eky3]

Hey when i first started huntin when I was a kid dad gave me a Remington 30-30, once that I got older, I started using a 30 off 6, there good guns and they can shoot a good distance too.

[peglegreb]

well i shoot a browning 270, have not lost a deer yet

[223reload]

I shoot many guns and my favorite for something as small a whitetail i would shoot my 22-250 or my .22 Hornet. But the biggest whitetail ive seen was smaller than my lab. Trust me you havent seen a big deer until you see a big utah mulie.


That would wound the 150-250 lb whitetails we have here as well as those big Ks variety and dont forget the Canadian monsters too.

[plainsman]

I like a .308, with 168 gr bullet. A 150 gr just don't have the penetration to go out the other side. I also like a 30-06, with 165-180 gr bullets. It seems like over kill on the deer I've shot tho. There are some big ones out there, I just ain't had a decent shot at them. I always try to shoot in the heart and if I miss that, there is always enough vital area around it that it will put them down. If the bullet hits a rib, there is lots of damage inside. I want them to go down and die soon, not run into a cedar swamp and find the most difficult place to find em and get em out of.

[slabmaster]

30/30 winchester in a model 336 marlin . i hunt in the mark twain national forest . most shots are 125 yds and under. i killed 3 deer this past season and all three went straight down like you hit em in the head with a sledge hammer.

[Jerry60k]

My favorite would be anything in a 30 cal,with the exception of the 30-30 wich is just plain ole bad luck for me.

My absolute favorite was a WW1 Vintage 303 MK3.I scrapped all the wood in favor of a glassbeaded zytel stock,had it drilled and tapped for weaver mounts.Then had a gunsmith work the trigger assembly and topped it with a Tasco WC 3x9x40 TV view scope.

That old gun took down alot of deer and at rediculous ranges.Most shots in this state are 100 yards or so but I have hunted alot of pipelines and clearcuts.Best shot before selling this gun would be right around the 250 yard mark thru brush not open feild.It was the final day of Doe season and I "skylined" a string of deer coming around the ridge while standing in the road at the bottom.

Now if I could just find this gun again could be plum to Alaska far as I know lol.

[swampratt]

I have read all the posts ..and if you are lucky enough to get a gun that has a tight grouping, wether the barrel is hot or cold , use that one .:wink:..

MY 7mm mauser had a 4" arch as heat set in
MY friends 270 was all over the place
MY .50 cal black powder was clover leafing at 100 yrds
And my model 94 30-30 has never let one get away , I have it set at 250 yrds. and have taken one at 245. with an old redfeild 4x scope

[Txbluecatman]

I would have to say that I favor 2 calibers depending on conditions. For the close in work in the thick brush I have a pre 64 model 94 in 30-30. The stories this rifle could tell. My second would be the 30-06. I've dropped my load of critters with both of these calibers. Just my .02 worth.

[Alfred L Phelps]

Model 70 Winchester All weather in 270 short mag.130 grain, and in the thick woods a thompson pistol in 730 cal

[willybob]

20 ga slug or 50. cal muzzleloader

[porboy]

My first pick is the old 30-06. It has served me well for all these years.

[seokfisherman]

I have killed deer with lots of different firearms but as far as deer rifles go I own a .243, a 7mm mag, and my new favorite a .257 Weatherby Mag. Our deer are small in Oklahoma and lighter, faster bullets can be utilized in most calibers. This year I plan to use my new Ruger Super Redhawk .44 since my shots will be short range. Bottom line is to use a gun you can shoot well.

[channelkatman]

real men hunt with a stick and string!!!:wink::big_smile::wink::tounge_out: lol ya cant beat a good ol win. 30-30 but i prefer to bowhunt over anything. it gets you alot closer to the wildlife.

[xringer3]

Even the early indians threw down their stick and string for the ole smoke pole whenever they'd have the oportunity, LOL.

[bw69r]

i love my 25-06 and my dads .280

[derbycitycatman]

Im liking my 30/06 but its the only centerfire rifle Ive hunted with. ALso like the old.50 smoke pole. this year Ill be trying my hand with my 44 mag revolver. Heck anything that puts a hole in em.

[ratkinson]

I am a huge fan of the .270................but when Walmart starts selling these I am going to switch over!!!!!
http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=miltary%20shotgun%20auto&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv#

Richard

[river scum]

richard, i think you could kill&butcher your deer on the spot with that rite in the woods. you better like berger though.lol those are fun to shoot for sure.

most of my deer fall within 50yrds. so i pick the ol 12guage w/k.o. slugs

[Cathooker]

But the biggest whitetail ive seen was smaller than my lab. Trust me you havent seen a big deer until you see a big utah mulie.


I have owned many, many labs and I have never seen a 300lb Lab but I have seen a 300lb whitetail buck.

[stoney53]

my favorite 308 in a savage 99 good all around

[Pillpeddler]

The best gun that I have? My Ruger M77 Mk.II .308 ( after I added a Timney trigger, the orig felt like it had been machined with a wood rasp ). My favorite ? My old Marlin 336 in 30-30, the first gun I bought with my own money, it shoots where I look. Love it. In all honesty? ... whatever you enjoy shooting!

[puddle jumper]

Man I was suprised to see the 7mm mag "flat shooting and hard hitting, can load bullets light to heavy for big or small game" did not hit this post untill the 5th page , but was also suprised at the amount of people like me who like there good old 30-30, :confused2: ,,,Ive been hand gunning with a TC in 30-30 and really like it, Ive been wanting to try the 243 ,,, when I get the urge for a new gun...:cool2:,,,270 always a good choice,, Just my .02

Puddle,,,:big_smile:

[mrowe84]

i believe in light loads. killed my last one with a 30-378 weatherby, carrying a 300 rem ultra mag now

[xringer3]

i believe in light loads. killed my last one with a 30-378 weatherby, carrying a 300 rem ultra mag now
Just got one of those myself a few months ago. I've been playing with some reloads to see what it likes. Got it for hunting out west, but playing with some lighter loads for around here. Gonna have to try it out here if I can't get out west this year, but don't want them to explode!

[mrowe84]

Just got one of those myself a few months ago. I've been playing with some reloads to see what it likes. Got it for hunting out west, but playing with some lighter loads for around here. Gonna have to try it out here if I can't get out west this year, but don't want them to explode!
i've been shooting the 180 gr barnes X-bullet through mine. although pricey, sub-one inch groups and 300 yards proved to me that they'll do the trick. dang thing kicks like a mule though

[younggun15]

i bought a 270 last year and shot 3 deer everyone of them dropped from the bang so i would say a 270 winchester

[MichaelP]

I find it interesting that people find the .223 inadequate for killing deer but the slightly hotter 5.56 is used by the military for hunting humans. :ooooh:

[poisonpits]

I find it interesting that people find the .223 inadequate for killing deer but the slightly hotter 5.56 is used by the military for hunting humans. :ooooh:
when i was in the army i was told our objective was to wound not kill cause then the enemy would loose 3 men in stead of one.
several years ago i gave all my rifeles to my son with the exception of a 22 and my old 30 30.i get my 2 bucks and 2 does ever year so dont see any reason to go bigger or smaller.

[Deerhunter270]

Ive been using a .270 and it has never let me down...i normally dont take far shots (no more than 300 yards) so i dont know how it will do long range but i love mine to death.

[xringer3]

Ii've been shooting the 180 gr barnes X-bullet through mine. although pricey, sub-one inch groups and 300 yards proved to me that they'll do the trick. dang thing kicks like a mule though
I put a muzzle break and a sims limbsaver recoil pad on mine. It now has less recoil than my 7mm rem mag. It actually kicks more like my featherweight 270.

As far as my 270, for some reason, I've shot lots of deer with it, right in the sweet spot, and NEVER had one drop at the shot! I've had them drop wit the 7mm mag, 308, and 25-06, and 243, but never the 270. Just always thought that was weird. Think my favorite overall though has to be the 25-06 and 308, can't decide.

[yadkinrivercats]

I shoot a Remington Sendoro in a 25/06 and LOVE IT.

[Guns & Cockpits]

Good ole Marlin 336 lever in 30-30. Classic.

[lance]

I use a 30-30 marlin my dad gave me 7 shots 7 deer . Before that I had an sks 7.62by 39 . Ikilled deer with it but the last deer I shot 4 times . That put an end to it and gave it to my brother. If I had money to spend Maybe a 300 or 7 mm to reach across the feilds of west ky . But patience pays off anyways so I'll use what I got !:big_smile:

[223reload]

I find it interesting that people find the .223 inadequate for killing deer but the slightly hotter 5.56 is used by the military for hunting humans. :ooooh:

Mike ,I shoot a .223 Rem. and there are no differences in it and the military 5.56.they are one and the same,the handloads I currently use are pushing 3300fps,I load a tiny 52 gr hp for coyotes and prarie dogs,I dont have the correct rifeling twist or I would use it with 60+ gr bullets on our pronghorn and whitetails,my 243 or 30-30 are my mulie rifles.

[Katfish Kern]

I like to use my 7mm Ruger Remington Magnum

[youngbuck]

I own a 270 remington but i have used 30-30 and a 284 win. kiled deer with all 3.

[slabmaster]

Mike ,I shoot a .223 Rem. and there are no differences in it and the military 5.56.they are one and the same,the handloads I currently use are pushing 3300fps,I load a tiny 52 gr hp for coyotes and prarie dogs,I dont have the correct rifeling twist or I would use it with 60+ gr bullets on our pronghorn and whitetails,my 243 or 30-30 are my mulie rifles.

Richard how effective is the 243 for mule deer and what do you consider the maximum affective range. also if you dont mind would you share load info for your hunting round. ............. the biggest whitetail i ever had in the glass was on a 243 i had . i slammed him broad side at 100 yds with a clean lung shot and he ran plum out of the county on me.

[lance]

Its amazing that a 22hornet is legal for deer it isnt or at least wasn't legal in WV I dont know if it is legal in KY either great coyote caliber or grounhogs

[Sammie]

I really like the 25-06, 120 gr nosler , flat shooter and deadly on the deer.

I have to agree. Great choice.

[chambers bd]

When you hit a deer with a 150 grain np @ 3540 fps out of a Weatherby 300 magnum they drop right there. At least mine have.:roll_eyes:

[Sammie]

When you hit a deer with a 150 grain np @ 3540 fps out of a Weatherby 300 magnum they drop right there. At least mine have.:roll_eyes:

I bet that is good times. I haven't been hunting in some time but after reading some of the posts, I think I need to get back out there!

[crclhuk1]

I
I put a muzzle break and a sims limbsaver recoil pad on mine. It now has less recoil than my 7mm rem mag. It actually kicks more like my featherweight 270.

As far as my 270, for some reason, I've shot lots of deer with it, right in the sweet spot, and NEVER had one drop at the shot! I've had them drop wit the 7mm mag, 308, and 25-06, and 243, but never the 270. Just always thought that was weird. Think my favorite overall though has to be the 25-06 and 308, can't decide.

I own numerous guns, but I'm really fond of big calibers and hunt a lot of cutovers and powerlines. I also have the 300 and 7mm in the Remington model 700 ultra-mag with ss fluted barrel and Sendaro stock. These are 2 great guns and I prefer the 7 mm umag with my special loads of h1000 and 160 gr nosler accu-bond bulets. Those muzzle breaks make it feel like you're shooting a 22 mag, but the puff of wind from the muzzle break will nock your hat off your head. Good hunting.

[chambers bd]

I bet that is good times. I haven't been hunting in some time but after reading some of the posts, I think I need to get back out there!

Come on go hunting!:big_smile:

[xringer3]

I own numerous guns, but I'm really fond of big calibers and hunt a lot of cutovers and powerlines. I also have the 300 and 7mm in the Remington model 700 ultra-mag with ss fluted barrel and Sendaro stock. These are 2 great guns and I prefer the 7 mm umag with my special loads of h1000 and 160 gr nosler accu-bond bulets. Those muzzle breaks make it feel like you're shooting a 22 mag, but the puff of wind from the muzzle break will nock your hat off your head. Good hunting.
I fixed my hat problem, I just staple it to my head before I head out:ooooh:

If you haven't tried them yet, give the 165grn Accubonds a try with RL-22 powder in the 300 Ultra Mag. The bullets almost touch at 100yds. I'm getting around 3600fps too.

[crclhuk1]

I fixed my hat problem, I just staple it to my head before I head out:ooooh:

If you haven't tried them yet, give the 165grn Accubonds a try with RL-22 powder in the 300 Ultra Mag. The bullets almost touch at 100yds. I'm getting around 3600fps too.

Have tried a number of loads with rl-22 but not with that grain bullet. I get a nickel-sized group of three shots with the 7mm ultra mag at 100yds and it really shoots smooth. I use it 99.9% of the time except for bow season.

[wadeq]

In the county I live in, it is very thick and bushy so the 35 cal Remington pump with 220 softpoint corelock does very well. Thompson Center Black Diamond and I have a 270 that I love to shoot for open fields but rarely shoot past 200 yds.

[shovehead1]

winchester 300 magnum or a remington 270 eather way I still put meat in the deep freeze

[Cutter]

i believe in light loads. killed my last one with a 30-378 weatherby, carrying a 300 rem ultra mag now

Just got one of those myself a few months ago. I've been playing with some reloads to see what it likes. Got it for hunting out west, but playing with some lighter loads for around here. Gonna have to try it out here if I can't get out west this year, but don't want them to explode!

I have been deer hunting many years with my 30-378wby here in NC and SC. I have yet to find a situation where it was not suited. No matter where im at pine thickets, hardwoods, old road beds, clear cuts.... It always gets the job done.

I also have a 300wby and a 7mm rem mag. Killed deer with them all. I find myself 90% of the time taking the 30-378 when I go.

I shot 180gr barnes x solid copper bullets in hand loads I load myself. There is minimum meat damage from these bullets.

[RandyS]

270 remington 700 is my favorite. I just purchased this spring a 7600 remington in 308. I'm starting to like this rifle a lot.

[catfishscotty]

30-06 for me 90 % of the time

if i go up to north of missouri where a 400 yard shot may and has occured at a crop field i like to hunt i take my 300 win mag.

[Grumper]

30-06 for me 90 % of the time

if i go up to north of missouri where a 400 yard shot may and has occured at a crop field i like to hunt i take my 300 win mag.
Ditto that.:wink:
I have two Remingtion 30-06's one in a model 7400, and one in a model 700. I will generally use the autoloader when I'm in the brush, or hunting around the house. I've got two farms leased in north Missouri, and when I go up to hunt the bean fields in the evenings, I will goto my Savage .300Win Mag with handloaded ammo. I've never had to track a deer with this cartridge. I've got deer on the wall with my .30-06 as well as my .300 Win Mag.:wink: