favorite deer cal

jakeLC · September 19, 2011, 02:21 PM

whats your favorite caliber for deer. This is a common question but one that i like seeing because of all the calibers that i cant use being from Indiana.

Again being from indiana i use a rossi lever action in 45 colt

Dr. Strangelove · September 19, 2011, 02:35 PM

.270win, I hunt in Georgia

AllenJ · September 19, 2011, 03:25 PM

Depends where I'm hunting. If in my home state of California, where the deer are on the smaller side then a 243 Win is my cartridge of choice. If I'm heading to Utah or Colorado though I like something a little bigger so 30/06.

Saltydog235 · September 19, 2011, 03:26 PM

7mm08 with my 150grn BT handloads. Just devastating.

Popped two this past weekend, one with my .243 and the other with my .308, time to give the 7mm08 a shot at something next.

Toney · September 19, 2011, 03:48 PM

270!!!!!!!!

sirgilligan · September 19, 2011, 03:59 PM

I only have a .30-06, and I feel if you can only have one then it is the one to have. 110, 135, and 150 grain are all sufficient for various deer.

I am looking at a .243 for my next hunting rifle. Lever Action, open sights, 150 yards or less, quick action rifle for shooting those targets that like to move.

BIG P · September 19, 2011, 04:00 PM

GA. 270 WIN with 25-06 close 2nd

kraigwy · September 19, 2011, 04:04 PM

In the wide open spaces of Wyoming, my choice is the 257 Roberts.

Having said that if someone would ask what I recommend, I would say the 243. Not because I think its better then the 257, its just they are easier to find at your local hardware store.

There isn't a whole lot of difference between the two as long as they are both shot out of Model 70 Winchesters

Old Grump · September 19, 2011, 04:39 PM

Rifle - .308
Shotgun - 20
Black Powder - .50
Handgun - toss up between 41 or 44 mag (most of my deer were shot with .357 before I got the other two)

Did you want favorite archery equipment?

taylorce1 · September 19, 2011, 05:52 PM

Whatever I'm holding at the moment to kill my deer with. I rotate rifles out year to year so that everything I own gets used as long as it is appropriate for the game I'm hunting. So far my favorites have been 6mm/.243, .257, .277 and .50 Cal round ball as they are what I've killed deer with. This year if I get to hunt deer it will be with a .308 caliber rifle chamberd in .300 H&H as elk will be hunted at the same time.

Major Dave (retired) · September 19, 2011, 06:41 PM

"Sneaking and peeking", in tight cover, .243 in a Win M70 Short Action Carbine. Equipped with a 1.75-6X Leupold VX-III. A short, light weight rifle I can carry all day.

Sitting in an elevated box blind over a corn filled feeder, 7X57 Mauser in a modern, strong action bolt gun, equipped with a Leupold 2.5-8X VX-3. Has a heavy laminated stock, almost no recoil.

For open terrain where long shots are possible, a Win Classic M70 in .270 WSM. When you really want to be able to reach out and touch something. Equipped with a Pentax Lightseeker 3-11X AO scope.

YARDDOG(1) · September 19, 2011, 06:44 PM

30 06

My personal favorite
Y/D

RaySendero · September 19, 2011, 06:46 PM

Me too! - 270 Winchester.

Antique Shooter · September 19, 2011, 07:07 PM

Archery- Bear Kodiak Magnum 63lb

Early Muzzleloader- Navy Arms Buffalo Hunter .58 cal

First week of Rifle Season(buck)-Remington 760 .35 Remington w/ Leupold 2-7

Second week of Rifle(doe or buck)- K98 8mm, 30-40 Krag carbine,or Savage 99 .303 Savage.

Late Flinflock- TC Hawken .50 cal

Water-Man · September 19, 2011, 07:24 PM

6.5x55 SE

JACK308 · September 19, 2011, 07:34 PM

308 or44 mag.

LSnSC · September 19, 2011, 08:30 PM

25-06 with a 115 NBT or 117 Sierra BTSP.

jakeLC · September 19, 2011, 09:06 PM

most of those rounds i have gotten to shoot, maybe oneday ill go on a hunting trip in a different state and get to go deer hunting with one of them

MOshooter65202 · September 19, 2011, 10:34 PM

I shoot some pretty long beanfields,the 7mm rem mag really anchors them out past 500 yards

Hunter Customs · September 19, 2011, 11:06 PM

I have several calibers to choose from to use, 30-06, 8mm, 243, 7.62x39 and 280, I've killed deer with all of them.
The 280 is by far my favorite.
I've also killed deer with pistols 357mag and 45acp.
I've pretty much lost interest in deer hunting, did not go last year and I don't plan on going this year.
Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

Deja vu · September 19, 2011, 11:29 PM

I have killed more deer (as well as my first deer) with a 357 magnum Marlin lever action.

My favorite is probably the 45/70 (all so a Marlin) but the wife gets mad when I shoot those in the back yard.

warbirdlover · September 20, 2011, 03:52 AM

Killed most of my "good" deer with a .300 Win Mag (cheapo 150 gr. coreloks). This year I got a .270 Win which is the "perfect" deer caliber.

PawPaw · September 20, 2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kraigwy

There isn't a whole lot of difference between the two as long as they are both shot out of Model 70 Winchesters

HA! You love your Model 70's don't you? I snorted coffee thru my nose when I read that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakeLC

This is a common question but one that i like seeing because of all the calibers that i cant use being from Indiana.

Yeah, it is a common question and one that's been debated around campfires since man learned to hunt.

I've killed deer with BP rifles, shotguns, centerfire rifles of every stripe. This year it's going to be the .308, simply because I picked up a couple of .308s this summer as grandkid rifles and I can't pass them down unless I make sure that they work properly. It wouldn't be fair to the young'uns. I also intend to make meat with a .45-70 this year. I don't know how I've gotten this far in my madness without trying that caliber.

spclPatrolGroup · September 20, 2011, 10:31 AM

.270 is my favorite, no particular reason why, but thats what I have used for a long time. For muzzleloader I like a .50 cal with saboted slugs.

WCW · September 20, 2011, 11:42 AM

.303 British, 30-06, 270, 25-06, and current favorite .260 Remington. Took lots of game with all of them over many years, and all worked just fine. Have taken more deer with .50 cal muzzleloader than any of the rest though.

September 19, 2011, 02:21 PM	#1
jakeLC Member Join Date: July 26, 2011 Location: Plainfield, IN Posts: 49	favorite deer cal whats your favorite caliber for deer. This is a common question but one that i like seeing because of all the calibers that i cant use being from Indiana. Again being from indiana i use a rossi lever action in 45 colt

September 19, 2011, 02:35 PM	#2
Dr. Strangelove Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,406	.270win, I hunt in Georgia __________________ Just remember, when you pull the trigger, the bullets come out going very, very fast. So make sure to keep the weapon pointing away from you.

September 19, 2011, 03:25 PM	#3
AllenJ Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 680	Depends where I'm hunting. If in my home state of California, where the deer are on the smaller side then a 243 Win is my cartridge of choice. If I'm heading to Utah or Colorado though I like something a little bigger so 30/06. Last edited by AllenJ; September 20, 2011 at 11:39 AM.

September 19, 2011, 03:59 PM	#6
sirgilligan Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2009 Posts: 288	I only have a .30-06, and I feel if you can only have one then it is the one to have. 110, 135, and 150 grain are all sufficient for various deer. I am looking at a .243 for my next hunting rifle. Lever Action, open sights, 150 yards or less, quick action rifle for shooting those targets that like to move. __________________ SirGilligan Gun Log iOS App Gun Log SPC iOS App

September 19, 2011, 04:04 PM	#8
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 8,601	In the wide open spaces of Wyoming, my choice is the 257 Roberts. Having said that if someone would ask what I recommend, I would say the 243. Not because I think its better then the 257, its just they are easier to find at your local hardware store. There isn't a whole lot of difference between the two as long as they are both shot out of Model 70 Winchesters __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Oct '78 Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

September 19, 2011, 03:26 PM	#4
Saltydog235 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2010 Location: Pawleys Island Posts: 943	7mm08 with my 150grn BT handloads. Just devastating. Popped two this past weekend, one with my .243 and the other with my .308, time to give the 7mm08 a shot at something next.

September 19, 2011, 03:48 PM	#5
Toney Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2005 Location: Stillwater Oklahoma Posts: 558	270!!!!!!!!

September 19, 2011, 04:00 PM	#7
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,463	GA. 270 WIN with 25-06 close 2nd

September 19, 2011, 04:39 PM	#9
Old Grump Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in a little hut in the woods Posts: 3,126	Rifle - .308 Shotgun - 20 Black Powder - .50 Handgun - toss up between 41 or 44 mag (most of my deer were shot with .357 before I got the other two) Did you want favorite archery equipment? __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

September 19, 2011, 05:52 PM	#10
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO & Lubbock, TX Posts: 4,697	Whatever I'm holding at the moment to kill my deer with. I rotate rifles out year to year so that everything I own gets used as long as it is appropriate for the game I'm hunting. So far my favorites have been 6mm/.243, .257, .277 and .50 Cal round ball as they are what I've killed deer with. This year if I get to hunt deer it will be with a .308 caliber rifle chamberd in .300 H&H as elk will be hunted at the same time. __________________ NRA Life Member The Truth About Guns

September 19, 2011, 06:41 PM	#11
Major Dave (retired) Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2008 Location: Between Dallas and Shreveport, LA Posts: 516	Depends on how I'm hunting "Sneaking and peeking", in tight cover, .243 in a Win M70 Short Action Carbine. Equipped with a 1.75-6X Leupold VX-III. A short, light weight rifle I can carry all day. Sitting in an elevated box blind over a corn filled feeder, 7X57 Mauser in a modern, strong action bolt gun, equipped with a Leupold 2.5-8X VX-3. Has a heavy laminated stock, almost no recoil. For open terrain where long shots are possible, a Win Classic M70 in .270 WSM. When you really want to be able to reach out and touch something. Equipped with a Pentax Lightseeker 3-11X AO scope. __________________ Artillery lends dignity to what would otherwise be but a vulgar brawl.

September 19, 2011, 06:44 PM	#12
YARDDOG(1) Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: GATOR COUNTRY HA HA HA! Posts: 609	30 06 My personal favorite Y/D __________________ There's a GATOR in the bushes & She's Callin my name >Molly Hatchett<

September 19, 2011, 06:46 PM	#13
RaySendero Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2010 Location: US South Posts: 257	Me too! - 270 Winchester.

September 19, 2011, 07:07 PM	#14
Antique Shooter Member Join Date: August 13, 2010 Location: South Central Pennsylvania Posts: 98	Archery- Bear Kodiak Magnum 63lb Early Muzzleloader- Navy Arms Buffalo Hunter .58 cal First week of Rifle Season(buck)-Remington 760 .35 Remington w/ Leupold 2-7 Second week of Rifle(doe or buck)- K98 8mm, 30-40 Krag carbine,or Savage 99 .303 Savage. Late Flinflock- TC Hawken .50 cal

September 19, 2011, 07:24 PM	#15
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: N. Georgia & S. Florida Posts: 1,217	6.5x55 SE __________________ PROUD TO BE A VETERAN " The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." - Socrates

September 19, 2011, 07:34 PM	#16
JACK308 Junior member Join Date: July 10, 2011 Posts: 377	308 or44 mag.

September 19, 2011, 08:30 PM	#17
LSnSC Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2010 Posts: 500	25-06 with a 115 NBT or 117 Sierra BTSP.

September 19, 2011, 09:06 PM	#18
jakeLC Member Join Date: July 26, 2011 Location: Plainfield, IN Posts: 49	most of those rounds i have gotten to shoot, maybe oneday ill go on a hunting trip in a different state and get to go deer hunting with one of them

September 19, 2011, 10:34 PM	#19
MOshooter65202 Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2011 Posts: 428	I shoot some pretty long beanfields,the 7mm rem mag really anchors them out past 500 yards

September 19, 2011, 11:06 PM	#20
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 1,253	I have several calibers to choose from to use, 30-06, 8mm, 243, 7.62x39 and 280, I've killed deer with all of them. The 280 is by far my favorite. I've also killed deer with pistols 357mag and 45acp. I've pretty much lost interest in deer hunting, did not go last year and I don't plan on going this year. Best Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com

September 19, 2011, 11:29 PM	#21
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 1,750	I have killed more deer (as well as my first deer) with a 357 magnum Marlin lever action. My favorite is probably the 45/70 (all so a Marlin) but the wife gets mad when I shoot those in the back yard. __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 21 of my guns are 45/70 govt 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple

September 20, 2011, 03:52 AM	#22
warbirdlover Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2009 Location: central Wisconsin Posts: 2,322	Killed most of my "good" deer with a .300 Win Mag (cheapo 150 gr. coreloks). This year I got a .270 Win which is the "perfect" deer caliber.

September 20, 2011, 10:31 AM	#24
spclPatrolGroup Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2010 Location: North Dakota Posts: 349	.270 is my favorite, no particular reason why, but thats what I have used for a long time. For muzzleloader I like a .50 cal with saboted slugs.

September 20, 2011, 11:42 AM	#25
WCW Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2007 Posts: 128	.303 British, 30-06, 270, 25-06, and current favorite .260 Remington. Took lots of game with all of them over many years, and all worked just fine. Have taken more deer with .50 cal muzzleloader than any of the rest though.