Experienced Deer Hunters
04-21-2020, 01:40 PM
#21
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: On an Island in Vermont
Posts: 22,150
I am in the 30-06 camp and have used one for everything from chucks, yotes, deer, elk and caribou. I can understand the position nomercy and RR put out though. If I were to buy another deer gun it might be 7mm-08.
05-08-2020, 05:00 PM
#22
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,716
05-22-2020, 02:46 PM
#23
Spike
Join Date: May 2020
Location: central Wisconsin
Posts: 67
BTW: I think I used to be a member of this forum under the name of warbirdlover but my e-mail didn't get recognized so "joined" again. Not a spike anymore LOL. I'm 73 years old.
Last edited by Popgunshooter; 05-22-2020 at 02:49 PM.
05-29-2020, 11:47 AM
#25
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,846
Last night was one of those nights where I couldn't sleep so I lay there thinking about all the deer I've shot and all the firearms I used on them. (At my age that's just about all I do in bed anymore is think!!!)
As I reflected on the couple hundred or so deer (and antelope) I've taken over the getting close to 60 years now I've used a .243, .270, 7x30 Waters, 7-08, 30-30, 308, 30-06, 35 Whelen, 44 mag, and .45-70 all successfully. Using these chamberings and my opinion, and only my opinion, I've been the least impressed with the .308 for deer sized game. And as much as I like my 45-70s and my 7-08 for deer my opinion, hands down, for deer sized game from spitting distance to 500 yards if I had to have one choice, it would be the .270 Win.
I know there are going to be guys saying they feel their 7mm mag or 300 mag is better and that's OK. I'm not suggesting they aren't. Heck, I have a 6.5CM that I haven't taken hunting yet. What I am saying is based on my experience from the woods and farmlands in PA to the mountains and prairies of the west and heavy pine forest in the north there isn't much the 270 isn't capable of for deer size game without eating up a bunch more powder and giving you a harder recoil.
Those of you with a good bit of experience throw in your two cents. I'm looking for a discussion, not a debate. We just might help a new hunter decide on a firearm/cartridge.
As I reflected on the couple hundred or so deer (and antelope) I've taken over the getting close to 60 years now I've used a .243, .270, 7x30 Waters, 7-08, 30-30, 308, 30-06, 35 Whelen, 44 mag, and .45-70 all successfully. Using these chamberings and my opinion, and only my opinion, I've been the least impressed with the .308 for deer sized game. And as much as I like my 45-70s and my 7-08 for deer my opinion, hands down, for deer sized game from spitting distance to 500 yards if I had to have one choice, it would be the .270 Win.
I know there are going to be guys saying they feel their 7mm mag or 300 mag is better and that's OK. I'm not suggesting they aren't. Heck, I have a 6.5CM that I haven't taken hunting yet. What I am saying is based on my experience from the woods and farmlands in PA to the mountains and prairies of the west and heavy pine forest in the north there isn't much the 270 isn't capable of for deer size game without eating up a bunch more powder and giving you a harder recoil.
Those of you with a good bit of experience throw in your two cents. I'm looking for a discussion, not a debate. We just might help a new hunter decide on a firearm/cartridge.
Last edited by Valorius; 05-29-2020 at 11:54 AM.
05-29-2020, 11:53 AM
#26
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,846
I agree there. The only hunting gun I own that i can use in my own state anymore is a 12 gauge semi. Breneke slugs drop deer like nobodies business.
05-29-2020, 05:06 PM
#27
Typical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 828
I am more than primarily a muzzle loading enthusiast. Rarely do I pull out a center fire anymore. When I go on a pig hunt I take an AR chambered in .223 or the old man's 6.8. When placed properly, either cartridge will make pork chops. I've rolled many hogs on the run with that little wilson combat .223. But if I go out of state on a deer hunt with centerfire I tend to take one of the old lever guns. I've got an old Winchester mod. 70 in .300wm that I bought for Elk that has taken a few whitetail as well but, as was mentioned, that much power is certainly not needed for whitetail. The old man was a fan of 7mm 08 way before Remington adopted it. There are just way too many cartridge choices out there for anyone to say any one is the best whitetail cartridge choice. If I had to pick, I would have to say for all around whitetail cartridge choice, my pick would more than likely be 7mm 08. Plenty of bullet choices in the mass needed and plenty of range for your average, and even above average skilled shooters.
05-29-2020, 05:37 PM
#28
Super Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Northern California
Posts: 18,258
For the OP (Bronko22000), I shoot a 270 also but I carry it primarily because bear is on the menu during all of deer season. I found it very telling that Ridge Runner and NoMercy both shoot 6mm's for deer. In fact, just about everybody responding seems to use a 27 caliber or smaller for deer hunting. Interesting indeed.
05-29-2020, 07:20 PM
#29
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,227
I have shot and killed deer deer with rimfires in 22 & 22 Mag, (the statute of limitations has long run out) 223, 243, 25-06, 6.5x54 MS, 6.5x55, 270 Win, 280 Rem, 7mmTCU, 7x57, 7mm Rem Mag, 30-30, 308, 30-06, 300 Win Mag, 32 Special, 338 Win Mag, 350 Rem Mag, 9.3x62, 375 H&H, 450 Marlin and 45-70. I have also shot them with both 20 ga and 12 ga shotguns using buckshot and slugs, 50 cal and 54 cal muzzleloaders, revolvers in 357 Mag, 41 Mag, 44 Mag and 45 Long Colt, semi-auto pistols in 9mm and 45 ACP, crossbow, longbow, recurve bow and compound bow.
If I had to pick one caliber I have used that would be my favorite just for deer it would be the 6.5x55 Swedish. If I was in an area with elk I'd use the 9.3x62.
If I had to pick one caliber I have used that would be my favorite just for deer it would be the 6.5x55 Swedish. If I was in an area with elk I'd use the 9.3x62.
Last edited by flags; 05-30-2020 at 08:50 AM. Reason: typo
05-30-2020, 03:08 AM
#30
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Tug Hill NY
Posts: 420
My first and still favorite rifle is my heavily sporterized Mauser 98 in 8x57. It is devastating on deer, and has always anchored them immediately in their tracks. I love the rifle and cartridge, but almost feel that it is more gun than is needed for white tail...especially at my normal close woods ranges.
My long time most used deer cartridge is the .308. I live in upstate NY and hunt mostly in heavily wooded areas. I like the shorter lighter action of the round, and have used the gun in several different firearms. I have always had splendid performance with only several heart shot deer that ran a short distance...all others dropped on the spot. After being unhappy with the several different rifles I was using for varying reasons, I have sold/traded off and currently don't own a .308. In my last trade though, I obtained a Ruger 77 mk2 in .270, the first I have ever owned. I am delighted with my range results and will be using it this year, and am eager to see the results. My only slight concern is for the bullet performance at the usual close ranges I am shooting at , which is inside of 40 yards.
My long time most used deer cartridge is the .308. I live in upstate NY and hunt mostly in heavily wooded areas. I like the shorter lighter action of the round, and have used the gun in several different firearms. I have always had splendid performance with only several heart shot deer that ran a short distance...all others dropped on the spot. After being unhappy with the several different rifles I was using for varying reasons, I have sold/traded off and currently don't own a .308. In my last trade though, I obtained a Ruger 77 mk2 in .270, the first I have ever owned. I am delighted with my range results and will be using it this year, and am eager to see the results. My only slight concern is for the bullet performance at the usual close ranges I am shooting at , which is inside of 40 yards.
