RE: Caliber and bullet choice for Deer. Why so heavy?
 

Our present domestic standard load for the 6.5x55 mm Swede is a 139-gr. or 140-gr. pointed soft-point bullet driven to 2550 fsp.s. muzzle velocity. Although those bullets still retain a high sectional density of about .289, comparable to that of the 160-gr. 7 mm (.283) and 190-gr. .30-cal. (.286), and tend to penetrate well

RE: Caliber and bullet choice for Deer. Why so heavy?
 

If I was simply going to hunt whitetails then I would probably not even bother with a 30-06. Especially if I was going restrict my hunting to Pennsylvania. Probably pick a .243 or maybe a 30-30. But, I am not going to limit my hunting to whitetails....so, since I ant to be able to hunt anything from pronghorns, hogs, deer, elk, moose, and caribou...the 30-06 gets the call. Now, having chosen my caliber I have to decide if I will tailor a load for each game animal or make just one that will work for all. I am lazy, so gonna use one load for all. So, the bullet of choice is going to be (imho) a premium 180 grain pill. Leaning toward a Partition or bonded Hornadys.

Now, about deer dying instantly. It all depends on what the deer is doing when it is hit by the bullet and where that bullet hits. I was convinced that a 180 grain pill was a bit heavy for deer. I as sure that a 165 grain bullet as just the ticket. Really opened my eyes when I shoot a lil doe this rifle season with a 180 grain bullet. That deer flopped down, twitched a few times and gave up the ghost. I have shot excited deer with a .243 and seen them run 50 or so yards. Have shot them with a 44 magnum revolver and seen the flop right down. Depends what you hit and what the deer is doing. It amazes me that a deer can run 50 yards ith no lungs, no heart, and broken bones.

RE: Caliber and bullet choice for Deer. Why so heavy?
 

My post only ?'s bullets for deer since that is what I have the most expericence with.

When I mention the lighter bullet for caliber most of the time its also the one constructed to expand/explode the most.

I am a little more to the extreme on loads. I have many guns calibers but one of my favs. is 110 grn Sierra HP's in my 300WBY mag at about 4000fps and doesnt kick that hard. I know these are not designed for deer or recommended for those speeds but I wish you could see what it does when it hits. I dont thinka deerhas ever heard the gun go off. It lifts then off their feet and puts them down dead, no suffering. Ive used this combo on many deer and for many years and never had a prob with it.

I've used 50grn BT in my 22-250 and it puts it to them also.

I have a few hunting buds that have the same notion I do and dont have any probs with these loads.

RE: Caliber and bullet choice for Deer. Why so heavy?
 

Rebel you ever use 120's in that 6.5?

RE: Caliber and bullet choice for Deer. Why so heavy?
 

No DD, can't say I have!:)

RE: Caliber and bullet choice for Deer. Why so heavy?
 

Thats fine for a picked shot. I can kill a whitetail with a Sheridan 5MM pellet rifle, doesn make the Sheridan a deer rifle. I dont want to be limited to a picked shot. Any angle that buck is showing me, I want my bullet to be able to burrow in a tear the living daylights outta the vitals.

RE: Caliber and bullet choice for Deer. Why so heavy?
 

When is a shot not a "picked shot" I wouldnt care which gun I had, I dont see brown and just squeeze one off. Not saying you do but Im pretty sure you pick your shots also. Ive shot deer in the brisket looking straight at me and in the neck facing away from me, either way no probs. Im no Annie Oakley by any means but I won't take a shot I think wont kill. Neck shots for bucks and head shots for Does are my Favs.

RE: Caliber and bullet choice for Deer. Why so heavy?
 

No hunting rifle will lift a deer off it's feet and knock it down, that is pure myth. It may jump when it gets hit and fall down and die, but they don't physically get knocked down.

Paul

RE: Caliber and bullet choice for Deer. Why so heavy?
 

We hear ya loud and clear, but I wish you could see what I see when people try those 4K fps 110gr loads. Sometimes it doesn't end up with the happy ending you are portraying. We all have some experience to add. We just can't discredit our own experience because you have had good luck with them.

RE: Caliber and bullet choice for Deer. Why so heavy?
 

I totally disagree there. Seen it way too many times with a shoulder shot and 1oz slug.

So how do you figure its a pure myth? Just curious what you are basing that off of?