i've hunted this past year on my father-in-law's property. i got my first deer on a 60 yard shot with my 280. i'm looking for a smaller caliber for shots at 100 yards or less. any recommendations for a smaller caliber for shorter ranges? thanks!

A smaller caliber that won't carry as far, eg, as a .25 06, is a little hard to find these days. Maybe a 25 20 WCF but they are mighty hard to find, unless I missed someone's production out there,

The 30-30 and35 Remington are made specifically for your aplcation.

If you like less well known cartridges then thereare cartridges like the7x30 Waters, 300 Whisper. And don't over look the good ole 44 Rem magnum or .357 Magnum in a lever gun.

The 7mm-08 is a great caliber also...

.260 0r 6.5mmSwede

44mag ,357 mag ,41 mag ,30-30,35 rem ,38-55,45-70 if all your going to do is shoot 100 yards or less they all work. Elkampmaster uses a stick when he hunts deer

I don't quite understand most answers to the poster. He is already shooting a .280 and is asking for a smaller caliber up to 100yds.

Most have quoted shorter OAL with larger calibers. Can he have the best of both worlds? He's asking for a Smaller caliber for under 100yds. Which one?[:-]Is there one?

I go along with Biscuit Jake, .25-20 WCF, but IMAO, I won't choose it for deer, which I'm sure it has taken deer before in the proper hands.

My recommendation is a 257 roberts or a 250-3000 savage if you could find one. The caliber is smaller and the range in my estimate is a bit shorter, certainly less powerful than the 280. I would have no problem using these under a hundred yards.

James

There you go, good choices James!

I would go with the .257 Roberts as well; the 25 20 just does not have the striking energy. Wouldn't mind having one myself but I would use it on smaller critters. One of my coworkers loaned his 257 Roberts to his wife years ago and has yet to get it back.