Experienced Deer Hunters
 

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.

If the .270 is great the .30-06 must be off the charts! :barmy:

I'd have to agree though- with what you're asking "deer from 0-500" it's tough to beat the .270.

Off the top of my head I've shot deer with a .243,
.270, .30-30, .30-40, 7.62x54, .300sav, .30-06, .375 win, .44 mag, .45-70, .50, and 12 ga slugs.

The 12 gauge has been the best, most haven't even taken a step. But there are obvious limitations when using slugs. I was very impressed with the .45-70 and .375 Winchester. The others have all done well!

There's "better" in terms of performance, but they come at a higher recoil and higher loading cost. And you don't need "better" for deer.

When I set my wife up with a rifle, I went with a .270. and I've found myself carrying it several times now.

Most hunters don't need 0-500. Most need 0-75. But for a true all around "do anything deer related" rifle, a .270 is a great choice (and so is the 6.5 Creed, and a whole bunch of other options too.)

-Jake
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Strongly considering a .280 AI.

My feelings for that 270/.30-06 case, the 280ai probably gets the most out of it. and honestly if I'm hunting something that the .30-06 would do better than the 280, I'm going to just be using a bigger magnum probably.

speaking of 0-500yds... with all this BC talk...it's my understanding that high BCs really don't start to take over until after 500yds, so unless that's a critical choice in an upcoming hunt....

I agree that the 270 win loaded with a quality bullet,
is about ideal on deer size game, and I've used it to kill one elk.
people that feel their favorite cartridge is vastly superior to something rather similar,
, in my opinion, tend to lack extensive out in the field time.
those cartridge comparison discussions might be fun,
but they are more useful in starting arguments than in any documented increase in your potential success.
that fact and the fact that most hunters are very bad at range estimation, past that 250-300 yard distance,
and decades of seeing guys claim 500-600 yard kills while having nearly zero knowledge of the rifles trajectory,
and knowing they sighted in dead on at 100 yards makes most of those stories rather dubious.
I've used a dozen or more rifles in cartridges like,
270 win,
30/06,
300 wby
375 H&H,
340 wby ,
45/70,
358 win,
257 roberts,
and 35 whelen etc
If the person carrying that rifle understood its trajectory and its potential limitations, and the anatomy of the game,
he found that with proper shot placement, and projectile they all worked just fine.
one gentleman, I hunted with for decades exclusively used a Winchester mod 70 pre-1964 in 257 roberts
used to constantly kid me about my use of a 340 wby that weighted several pounds more than his rifle and obviously kicked a great deal harder.
we both killed our share of game .

anyone who is a decent shot , and who understands both his equipment limitations and the anatomy of the game,
can use almost any centerfire rifle, with proper ammo and be successful.
BTW if your current rifle is not giving you the desired lethality, you might consider changing the projectile your using, it can make a huge difference.

personallay I feel any caliber of proper energy and correct bullet type for the task at hand, YOU like,!~

will be all anyone needs for the game your after!

I have owned and shot thousands of rifles, and stacked up a ton of kills over my life time with many different calibers from 50 bmg down!

and bullet placement is # to all things, after that, its again, having enough energy and a correct bullet for the animal trying to be killed!

pick "X" caliber you like and have at , learn to use to and know its limits and YOUR"S

there is NO magic bullet or caliber period
, that kills things when your not hitting vitals
its a lot of splitting hairs and personal preferences when your dealing with so many calibers of like performance and stat's!

some folks will always like"X" better than someone else, and have difference results too!

some love chevy's some don't, same deal with many calibers and rifle brands IMO!

ok, have taken my share, of the calibers I have used, which are, 223, 22-250, 6mm ppc, 243, 243 win., 6mm, 6.5 creed, 6.5 Gibbs, 25 wssm, 270, 7mm/08, 280, 7mm mag, 7mm stw, 7mm Allen Mag., 30 herret, 30-30, 308, 7.62x39, 348 win., 350 rem mag, 375 JDJ, and 458 socom. from the 243 to the 7mag I see zero difference. those rounds approaching 3500 fps mv do stand out. but for an average deer hunter, you won't see a difference, prove me wrong!
RR

now, my current favorite deer cartridge for killing whitetails at <400 yards, a bone stock Remington 788 in 6mm loaded with 95 gr BT's.
RR

RR, not a .30-06 in the bunch? That seems wrong.


-Jake

never impressed me, sorry, was a big 270 fan back in the day, then I learned better.
RR

well have to ask, why you would say this
what did you find was wrong with a .270?
IMO its a great caliber, just like so many others are, !
I am NOT pushing a .270 either, I just have nothing wrong with one!

not a thing, but no better than many others from 243 to 7mm
RR

I got a good one if you wanna try one out!

-Jake

Jake, put a decent bullet where it needs to be and it really doesn't matter, the results will be the same across the board, nothing wrong with an '06, but they try to make bullets to perform along a very wide range, from deer to elk to moose, in the smaller calibers the bullets are more or less centered on deer, I know they make 30 cal deer bullets but the percentage of strictly deer bullets is less in 30 cal. and why subject yourself to the recoil if you don't have to. the last buck I killed with the 6mm was 403 yards, held 6" over his back at the shoulder and he piled up in 30 yards, why do I need an '06 which burns 20 gr. more powder to do its job?

Range is 200 yards, you put an expanding bullet in the pocket behind the shoulder of a mature buck..... which chambering will kill him deadest? from 243 t0 300?

I agree that its more about where the bullet goes than the caliiber of the rifle!

but where I come from, folks tend to want extra power or less
and this can be due to many I think feel a need to say they have a BIG caliber gun(ego's maybe??)

but then again, a lot depends on where your hunting, deer in WV are not the same size as whitetail deer in other places( I have killed whitetail deer that were close to 300 lbs field dressed on an official scale)
and NOT saying a smaller caliber cannot still kill larger deer, they can
but things don;t always go as planned, so having a little extra power, isn;t always a bad thing
and since most HUNTERS don't shoot all that much ammo, the costs of a little extra powder is not a real issue to consider!
and if were honest, MANY hunters ain't the best at shooting either, been on too many ranges to know this for a fact, lots THINK there way better than they really are, all the more NOT shooting off bench!
so a tad extra power and possible lee way for them, isn;t always a BAD thing!


and a dead deer is a dead deer, no matter the caliber that killed it, ain't no deer deader than another LOL

Ahh yes. This is exactly what I was looking for. Some good old fashion campfire talk. We all seem to be of the same mindset sans maybe one or two of us. A lot of it depends on your area too. But this is good stimuli for the sole. While I no longer have a .270 Win (I could kick myself for trading it in) I do have a 270 WSM but it doesn't shoot near as well as the one I traded in.
I've seen guys successfully use a .223 for deer. But IMO its too light. Again my opinion.
These days if my deer tags remain unfilled after archery season, which hasn't happened in a while, I usually grab one of my 45-70s. But if I think I may have a shot longer than 200 yards I reach for my 7-08. But this year I may just have to give my brandy new 350 Legend the nod. Hoping I will get a chance to use that in Ohio.

well the firearms i have used to kill deer include 20 ga 12 ga 16 ga 30-30 243 7.7 jap 30-06 308 45-70 460 450 bushmaster 444 marlin & 45 cal muzzle loader & of coarse the 50 cal inlines . in hand guns i've taken them with 44 mag 45-70 & 460 & the 454 casull . the best one i like using is the 450 bushmaster . everything i've hit with has gone down right there . but i love my inline muzzleloaders. pretty mch the same eveything i hit i have found with in 100 yrds. except last year did'nt recover one during the muzzleloader season . just made me sick that i did'nt recover it . it went into a creek & never did find it . until this spring when my buddie found it underneath a dried up beaver dam. but shot placement is what it is all about .

Personally, I’ve come to find the 6mm ARC/6.5 Grendel/6 creedmoor/243 win/6.5 creed/7-08 win class of cartridges to be largely ideal for whitetail hunting with few to no concessions. Even hesitating to include the 7-08 and 6.5 creed into that category. Just feels like I’m doing something wrong if I need more than 100-120 grains of bullet and more than 30-40grn of powder just to kill a deer.

My first deer rifle of my own was a .30-06 almost 25 years ago, and I have taken a lot of deer with it and others over the years. I struggle to justify hauling it around any more - if I need 180grn+ of bullet, then I want more than just 60grn of powder. Equally, As much as I have enjoyed the 7mmRM over the years, if I’m burning that much powder, I typically want more performance downrange than is provided by 140-160grn bullets.

Horses for courses.

My friend swears by the old ought 6. He has 4 of them and no other centerfires! I on the other hand have a bunch of different caliber rifles. I don't really need them but they aren't asking for anything to eat either. The only "magnum" I have is a 270 WSM only because it is a custom LH Winchester model 70 that I bought for a song. And for what its worth I may just sell it because I have many other rifles that will out shoot it all day long. But its just nice to have. Like I said earlier I have a fondness for my .45-70s. Maybe its nostalgia who knows. I do know the bear and deer I have shot at with one of them did not like it one bit.

I had a friend comment on this thread, and noted that most of the respondents say,
you don,t need to worry much about the cartridge head stamp,
because in skilled hands they all work.
well he asked why would anyone want a larger magnum?
I suppose it instills a bit of confidence if you easily handle the weight and recoil,
and yes this is about an elk hunt not deer.
a larger magnum or larger caliber rifle may not be more lethal,
but it can give impressive results if you're a good shot,
and with proper shot placement, it tends to get the game's full attention.

heres a brief bit of info on a past hunt.

one old geezer that taught me to hunt , back in the early 1970s,
used a 257 Roberts in a pre 1964 Winchester, for decades.
he used to constantly joke about my 340 wby,
and how I used to have to carry several extra pounds of rifle weight,
when his Winchester was all that was needed.
he killed more than his share of deer and occasionally an elk.
I helped him drag or pack out several, over several decades.
on one occasion we were sitting on the edge of a clear-cut,
that had started to re-grow and there were lots of 3-5 foot tree-lings,
over several acres.
a legal 4x4 elk slowly entered the area we watched over,
the old geezer only had a deer license that year.
so I was sitting with my 340 wby using the bi-pod on a large fallen log,
with the crosshairs held on the area higher than, but just over the bull's heart,
and a bit behind his shoulder, I waited as he slowly advanced,
when it became obvious he was the only legal bull elk we had seen in days.
I estimated the range at about 170 yards.
when I fired, the elk dropped like a demolition on an older building.
he just dropped in place,
the older guy looked at me and said...
..damn , that was impressive
..I've never seen any elk convinced so fast that he was dead before.
most elk I shoot want to consider the matter,
think it over ...... maybe cover 40-50 yards.!
then conclude I was right!
kid that was impressive!
" that made my day "

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.

That was the funniest thing I've read in a while except the Democrats saying they want to do what's right for the people!

I've spent most of my life hunting with a Ruger Stainless Synthetic .300 Win Mag but sold it a couple years ago and quit hunting. I now have the bug again but this year I bought a little CVA Hunter single shot .243 and put a Tasco World Class scope on it (yeah it's a cheapo but surprisingly good). I got older and didn't want to lug the cannon around anymore so bought this. I finally got to sight it in today and am thoroughly amazed.

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.

I remember that name. Sent you a PM about your email. Welcome back. Good shooting rifle.

-Jake

Though I think a .357 magnum lever gun or 70+ grain 5.56mm is fine for deer, (obviously not to 500yds, that sort of hunting does not exist where I live) .25-06 is my favorite big game cartridge of all time. Hands down.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I've killed so many deer with the .270 Win and the .243 Win. I agree with RR and NM because every deer I shot with the .243 (sans one because of a faulty bullet that fragmented) dropped right where they stood.Same can be said for the .270. I've had deer run off with good hits by the .308 which is why I'm not a fan of it (all recovered by the way). A few with the 7-08 went only a short distance or dropped on the spot. I would hear arguments that it was bullet placement but I always shoot for a spot just behind the shoulder and slightly below mid-body. Shoulder shot destroy too much meat IMO. I believe my shot placement and velocity and with the construction of sub 30 caliber bullets is the reason for the instant kills of the deer I've taken with the .243 and .270.

Funny, you should say that, I'm seriously considering converting my 280Rem to a 280AI. Why ?? Good Question. It has never failed me even in South Africa. I guess I Just like to tinker and get the most out of my 280.

Fun reading these old posts!

Couple of these guys have passed away. Miss having them around!

- jake

Those CVAs are deadly accurate. I have 3 of them and contemplating getting another.
I heard CVA is coming out with a similar rifle and discontinuing the Scout take down model.