What caliber/Rifle for white tail

BIG P · July 9, 2011, 03:40 PM

How many different calibers and rifles have you used to take whitetail deer with.I know alot of guys are set on one action,one caliber what about you ?

603Country · July 9, 2011, 03:52 PM

I've shot hundreds of deer. As for calibers...from the beginning (10 or 12 years old): 410 with slug (I missed); 12 ga with buckshot (successful); then to 35 Rem; 270 Winchester (my dependable standard); 260 Remington, 223, 220 Swift, 30-06. I don't recommend the 223 or 220, but the rest worked great. The 35 just might have been the best deer killer of all, but was limited in range.

hooligan1 · July 9, 2011, 03:55 PM

Let's see here, 1st deer was taken with a Smith&Wesson model 1000 12 guage auto at about 7 feet! The next dozen or so were taken with my old Rem 700 ADL,( now it's my oldest son's)I took my biggest buck with an Interarms Mark X Whitworth .270 Win. I've taken another dozen or so with the 3006, then a few more with my other son's .270.(Handi-Rifle) And last year I killed a nice fat doe with my 7mm Rem Mag (Vanguard) And this year I hope to get a deer with my Savage 110 .270 win with some homemade ammo!

BIG P · July 9, 2011, 04:44 PM

I too have had the honor of taking hundreds of Deer with more guns than I can remember.But I can remember these 223,220swift,22-250,243,25-06,270win,308win,30-30,30-06,7mm 08,7mmmag,300wm,7STW.Some were single shot, bolt action, lever action,pump,semi auto. There were some better than others but I truly enjoyed them all. OH lets not forget the Smoke poles in 45 & 50 CAL.love the cloud in the morning.

I knew I forgot a few Weatherby 458wm bolt
762x39 saiga semi
BAR 7MMMAG
Marlin 450 lever action

Steel Talon · July 9, 2011, 05:18 PM

25-06 and 115gr Nos Patitions nuff said....

10Ringmagic · July 9, 2011, 05:19 PM

30-06, and 7.62X39mm

Buzzcook · July 9, 2011, 09:57 PM

I've only used .30-06 and .30-30.

huntinaz · July 9, 2011, 10:36 PM

My personal opinion is that any caliber .243-.270 is gravy for deer, and this includes the 30-30, .300 sav, and 7mm-08 (all larger diameter than .270). Other .308 cal and larger is "overkill", not is the sense that it's too much...just more than you need. If that's what you have, by all means use it.

Historically I shoot deer with a .243, some people will tell you this is too light or "on the light side" for deer, but this is hogwash. The .243 is all you need for deer, period.

As far as action...I prefer the Win Model 70. It's merely a preference because that's what I have. There are a whole assortment of rifles that are more than adequate, at affordable prices.

scoutman · July 10, 2011, 05:41 AM

Noted deer biologist James C. Kroll states that the ideal deer rifle/cartrige combo is a bullet between 140 and 180 grains at a velocity of 3,000 fps.

I believe he uses a 7mm magnum with a 140 grain bullet.

Maxem0815 · July 10, 2011, 06:00 AM

All I have ever used for deer is my .308 but now I live in FL and can shoot the pitifully little critters with a sling shot. Well any how the 30-30 has probably killed more deer than any other gun in the world. Smallest I would use is .243 biggest 30-06. According to my Cat's Vet. she said deer are very easy to kill and a good lung shot stop's them a shoulder shot will drop them. But don't gut shoot them they can run for hours before they drop. Yes she hunts with me.

Mace

Kreyzhorse · July 10, 2011, 06:45 AM

Let's see, I've used a single shot 30.06, a right handed .308 bolt action, a left handed 7mm Rem Mag bolt action and a single shot falling block 45-70 Gov't.

My favorites are the 7mm and the 45-70 Gov't but I enjoy hunting with different guns.

JimPage · July 10, 2011, 07:57 AM

Overkill, of course, but my favorite deer rifle is a Parker Hale surplus conversion German mauser in .308 Norma Magnum. I prefer it because it is so accurate and I have learned all of its range variations. I live in NY state and have shot a deer here at further than 40 yards only once. When I was stationed in Texas I did shoot a deer at 425 to 450 yards with the rifle. (I don't advocate doing that unless you have practiced with your rifle and understand the ballistics.) All but one deer was one shot. Most dropped in their tracks.

I have also used 30-30, 30-06, 35Rem, 12 ga, and 45-70.

I'm too old to stomp around the woods now, but I love my memories

RaySendero · July 10, 2011, 08:40 AM

Quote:

BIG P asked:

How many different calibers and rifles have you used to take whitetail deer with.I know alot of guys are set on one action,one caliber what about you ?

BIG P,

I'm not sure what you are trying to "get-at" - Action, Caliber, Cartridge, 1 rifle, etc.

I'll start with all of'em lumped together: I have a pair of bolt action 270s that neither has required more than one shot for a dead deer and never lost one after pulling the trigger. This would be my recommendation for THE standard all-around deer rifle.

A bolt action 270 Winchester with a scope!

I've killed deer with calibers from 270 to 9.3 and a bunch in between. The difference isn't so much caliber but the rifle. I have other some purposely built rifles for different hunt situations. If, for example, the hunt will be stalking, close-in and the deer possibly running - I pick an easy carry, quick pointing level action or a semi-auto (or maybe a straight pull bolt).

There are other times I won't pick the best fit for the deer rifle figuring something else will probably show up on a particular hunt! I really like shoot'N hogs with the 9.3 and coyotes with a SKS.

BIGR · July 10, 2011, 11:02 AM

.50 CAL. T/C Omega for the black powder season.

For rifle season for about 24 years the 30.06 has been my main caliber in a bolt action and on occasion a Browning Bar.

For the past two seasons I have been experimenting with the 7 MAG. in a Model 700. With 160 grain bullets it does a marvelous job on whitetails. Can't really tell much difference if it kills any better. Shot placement is the key and both calibers will drop them where they stand if I do my job.

BIG P · July 10, 2011, 11:05 AM

RaySendero, basically how many different actions and cartridges you have used to take white tail deer.Rifles would be a plus, hope this clears up any confusion

RaySendero · July 10, 2011, 01:42 PM

Ugh well...no it doesn't clear up my confusion.

You want a specific recommendation or just a survey to do what?

hooligan1 · July 10, 2011, 04:25 PM

Ray uh basically the op is asking WHAT KIND OF GUNS HAVE YOU USED TO HUNT AND KILL DEER WITH IN THE PAST???????

RaySendero · July 10, 2011, 05:09 PM

I know that - Let him answer what's behind the question and why.

grubbylabs · July 10, 2011, 05:22 PM

Wish could say I have used a gun to harvest a deer. I have only shot them with bows. I looked all over the hills last year for one to shoot with my new 308. This year is really going to suck because I have yet to harvest with any of my current weapons. New bow, and 4 rifles within the last two years, .308,.444,and a .300 win mag, and a .54 BP. Hopefully I will get to see a deer or elk this year and have a shot opportunity.

DiscoRacing · July 10, 2011, 05:35 PM

single shot 12guage,,30/30 lever,,,30-06 auto,,,.270 bolt,,,30-06 bolt,,,308 bolt,,,44mag revolver.
... and mathews bow.

BIG P · July 10, 2011, 07:00 PM

RAY, No recommendation,NO survey either. I just wondered what the guys used just for the heck of it.Thanks for the input.

RaySendero · July 10, 2011, 07:27 PM

Sorry Big P - That's just me.

When a stranger asks and asks again for an inventory of my deer rifles I tend to flinch and want to know why.

LSnSC · July 10, 2011, 07:36 PM

Rifle:
.223
.243
.25-06
.260
6.8 SPC
.270
.30-30
.300 Savage
.307 Winchester
.308
.30-06
.300WSM
.35 Remington
.44 Remington Magnum
.45-70
.50 Muzzle Loader

Shotgun:
12 gauge slugs and buckshot
20 gauge slugs and buckshot

Handgun:
7-30 Waters
.357 Maximum
.41 Remington Magnum

.

Hog Buster · July 10, 2011, 09:25 PM

Over the years most of the deer I’ve killed fell to a shot from a .243, .270. or 30-06 and most were bolt action rifles. However I’ve killed them with just about every rifle I’ve ever owned. As a kid I killed a few with a pump action Remington 22 LR. I’ve also killed a few with an M1 Garand.

The best deer killers I have, in order of accuracy, a Ruger Mark 77 in .243, a Winchester Model 70 in 30-06, and an old Remington Sportsman 78 in .270. (FYI the Sportsman 78 is a knock off version of the 700).

The worst deer rifle I ever owned was a Remington 742 in 30-06. If you kept it clean it functioned OK, but you couldn’t hit a dinner plate at 150 yards with it. On the other hand I had a Remington 760 in 30-06 that was a tack driver, but just never really got adjusted to the pump action in a big bore rifle.

All of my deer hunting is now done with one of the above bolt guns. The lone exception is during the primitive part of the season when I use an H&R Buffalo Classic in 45-70. It’s way too much gun for White Tail, but you gotta do what you gotta do per Wildlife and Fisheries rules.

Old Grump · July 10, 2011, 09:33 PM

38 super
357 mag
M1 Garand (.308)
12 gauge,
.348
.270
20 gauge
44 mag
41 mag
30-30
32 win spcl
.308 single shot
7MM Rem Mag
50 cal BP with round ball

(Most deer taken with 357 mag)

July 9, 2011, 03:40 PM	#1
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,679	What caliber/Rifle for white tail How many different calibers and rifles have you used to take whitetail deer with.I know alot of guys are set on one action,one caliber what about you ?

July 9, 2011, 03:55 PM	#3
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	Let's see here, 1st deer was taken with a Smith&Wesson model 1000 12 guage auto at about 7 feet! The next dozen or so were taken with my old Rem 700 ADL,( now it's my oldest son's)I took my biggest buck with an Interarms Mark X Whitworth .270 Win. I've taken another dozen or so with the 3006, then a few more with my other son's .270.(Handi-Rifle) And last year I killed a nice fat doe with my 7mm Rem Mag (Vanguard) And this year I hope to get a deer with my Savage 110 .270 win with some homemade ammo! __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

July 9, 2011, 04:44 PM	#4
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,679	I too have had the honor of taking hundreds of Deer with more guns than I can remember.But I can remember these 223,220swift,22-250,243,25-06,270win,308win,30-30,30-06,7mm 08,7mmmag,300wm,7STW.Some were single shot, bolt action, lever action,pump,semi auto. There were some better than others but I truly enjoyed them all. OH lets not forget the Smoke poles in 45 & 50 CAL.love the cloud in the morning. I knew I forgot a few Weatherby 458wm bolt 762x39 saiga semi BAR 7MMMAG Marlin 450 lever action Last edited by BIG P; July 10, 2011 at 08:08 PM.

July 9, 2011, 10:36 PM	#8
huntinaz Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2010 Location: az Posts: 1,332	My personal opinion is that any caliber .243-.270 is gravy for deer, and this includes the 30-30, .300 sav, and 7mm-08 (all larger diameter than .270). Other .308 cal and larger is "overkill", not is the sense that it's too much...just more than you need. If that's what you have, by all means use it. Historically I shoot deer with a .243, some people will tell you this is too light or "on the light side" for deer, but this is hogwash. The .243 is all you need for deer, period. As far as action...I prefer the Win Model 70. It's merely a preference because that's what I have. There are a whole assortment of rifles that are more than adequate, at affordable prices. __________________ "When there’s lead in the air, there’s hope in the heart”- Hunter’s Proverb "Feed me, or feed me to something. I just want to be part of the food chain." -Al Bundy

July 10, 2011, 05:41 AM	#9
scoutman Member Join Date: September 20, 2010 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 56	Noted deer biologist James C. Kroll states that the ideal deer rifle/cartrige combo is a bullet between 140 and 180 grains at a velocity of 3,000 fps. I believe he uses a 7mm magnum with a 140 grain bullet. __________________ If you can get closer, get closer; if you can get steadier, get steadier.-Jeff Cooper

July 9, 2011, 03:52 PM	#2
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	I've shot hundreds of deer. As for calibers...from the beginning (10 or 12 years old): 410 with slug (I missed); 12 ga with buckshot (successful); then to 35 Rem; 270 Winchester (my dependable standard); 260 Remington, 223, 220 Swift, 30-06. I don't recommend the 223 or 220, but the rest worked great. The 35 just might have been the best deer killer of all, but was limited in range.

July 9, 2011, 05:18 PM	#5
Steel Talon Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2007 Posts: 138	25-06 and 115gr Nos Patitions nuff said....

July 9, 2011, 05:19 PM	#6
10Ringmagic Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2010 Location: MI Posts: 315	30-06, and 7.62X39mm

July 9, 2011, 09:57 PM	#7
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	I've only used .30-06 and .30-30.

July 10, 2011, 06:00 AM	#10
Maxem0815 Junior member Join Date: May 23, 2011 Posts: 216	All I have ever used for deer is my .308 but now I live in FL and can shoot the pitifully little critters with a sling shot. Well any how the 30-30 has probably killed more deer than any other gun in the world. Smallest I would use is .243 biggest 30-06. According to my Cat's Vet. she said deer are very easy to kill and a good lung shot stop's them a shoulder shot will drop them. But don't gut shoot them they can run for hours before they drop. Yes she hunts with me. Mace

July 10, 2011, 06:45 AM	#11
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Let's see, I've used a single shot 30.06, a right handed .308 bolt action, a left handed 7mm Rem Mag bolt action and a single shot falling block 45-70 Gov't. My favorites are the 7mm and the 45-70 Gov't but I enjoy hunting with different guns. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

July 10, 2011, 07:57 AM	#12
JimPage Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2010 Location: Rome, NY Posts: 941	Overkill, of course, but my favorite deer rifle is a Parker Hale surplus conversion German mauser in .308 Norma Magnum. I prefer it because it is so accurate and I have learned all of its range variations. I live in NY state and have shot a deer here at further than 40 yards only once. When I was stationed in Texas I did shoot a deer at 425 to 450 yards with the rifle. (I don't advocate doing that unless you have practiced with your rifle and understand the ballistics.) All but one deer was one shot. Most dropped in their tracks. I have also used 30-30, 30-06, 35Rem, 12 ga, and 45-70. I'm too old to stomp around the woods now, but I love my memories

July 10, 2011, 11:02 AM	#14
BIGR Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2000 Location: Mountains Posts: 1,385	.50 CAL. T/C Omega for the black powder season. For rifle season for about 24 years the 30.06 has been my main caliber in a bolt action and on occasion a Browning Bar. For the past two seasons I have been experimenting with the 7 MAG. in a Model 700. With 160 grain bullets it does a marvelous job on whitetails. Can't really tell much difference if it kills any better. Shot placement is the key and both calibers will drop them where they stand if I do my job.

July 10, 2011, 11:05 AM	#15
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,679	RaySendero, basically how many different actions and cartridges you have used to take white tail deer.Rifles would be a plus, hope this clears up any confusion

July 10, 2011, 01:42 PM	#16
RaySendero Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2010 Location: US South Posts: 857	Ugh well...no it doesn't clear up my confusion. You want a specific recommendation or just a survey to do what?

July 10, 2011, 04:25 PM	#17
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	Ray uh basically the op is asking WHAT KIND OF GUNS HAVE YOU USED TO HUNT AND KILL DEER WITH IN THE PAST??????? __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

July 10, 2011, 05:09 PM	#18
RaySendero Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2010 Location: US South Posts: 857	I know that - Let him answer what's behind the question and why.

July 10, 2011, 05:22 PM	#19
grubbylabs Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Hansen Idaho Posts: 1,465	Wish could say I have used a gun to harvest a deer. I have only shot them with bows. I looked all over the hills last year for one to shoot with my new 308. This year is really going to suck because I have yet to harvest with any of my current weapons. New bow, and 4 rifles within the last two years, .308,.444,and a .300 win mag, and a .54 BP. Hopefully I will get to see a deer or elk this year and have a shot opportunity. __________________ * (Swinging club) Whack! whack! whack! * Nope, the old nag's still dead . (Capt Charlie)

July 10, 2011, 05:35 PM	#20
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	single shot 12guage,,30/30 lever,,,30-06 auto,,,.270 bolt,,,30-06 bolt,,,308 bolt,,,44mag revolver. ... and mathews bow. __________________ Desert Eagle Alliance Group Launcher Extraordinaire ______ ----Get Busy Live'n.....Or....Get Busy Die'n......Red -------They call me Dr. Bob,,,, I have a PhD in S&W

July 10, 2011, 07:00 PM	#21
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,679	RAY, No recommendation,NO survey either. I just wondered what the guys used just for the heck of it.Thanks for the input.

July 10, 2011, 07:27 PM	#22
RaySendero Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2010 Location: US South Posts: 857	Sorry Big P - That's just me. When a stranger asks and asks again for an inventory of my deer rifles I tend to flinch and want to know why.

July 10, 2011, 07:36 PM	#23
LSnSC Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2010 Posts: 514	Rifle: .223 .243 .25-06 .260 6.8 SPC .270 .30-30 .300 Savage .307 Winchester .308 .30-06 .300WSM .35 Remington .44 Remington Magnum .45-70 .50 Muzzle Loader Shotgun: 12 gauge slugs and buckshot 20 gauge slugs and buckshot Handgun: 7-30 Waters .357 Maximum .41 Remington Magnum .

July 10, 2011, 09:25 PM	#24
Hog Buster Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2009 Location: Pointe Coupee, Louisana Posts: 772	Over the years most of the deer I’ve killed fell to a shot from a .243, .270. or 30-06 and most were bolt action rifles. However I’ve killed them with just about every rifle I’ve ever owned. As a kid I killed a few with a pump action Remington 22 LR. I’ve also killed a few with an M1 Garand. The best deer killers I have, in order of accuracy, a Ruger Mark 77 in .243, a Winchester Model 70 in 30-06, and an old Remington Sportsman 78 in .270. (FYI the Sportsman 78 is a knock off version of the 700). The worst deer rifle I ever owned was a Remington 742 in 30-06. If you kept it clean it functioned OK, but you couldn’t hit a dinner plate at 150 yards with it. On the other hand I had a Remington 760 in 30-06 that was a tack driver, but just never really got adjusted to the pump action in a big bore rifle. All of my deer hunting is now done with one of the above bolt guns. The lone exception is during the primitive part of the season when I use an H&R Buffalo Classic in 45-70. It’s way too much gun for White Tail, but you gotta do what you gotta do per Wildlife and Fisheries rules. __________________ Those who beat their guns into plows, will plow for those who don't.-Thomas Jefferson

July 10, 2011, 09:33 PM	#25
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	38 super 357 mag M1 Garand (.308) 12 gauge, .348 .270 20 gauge 44 mag 41 mag 30-30 32 win spcl .308 single shot 7MM Rem Mag 50 cal BP with round ball (Most deer taken with 357 mag) __________________ 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--