skeeter 7MM

I like the 7 mm Mag for deer, but as stated if short range many others will do the trick. One over looked caliber now a days is the 308, this would serve your purposes well and be easier on the pocket and recoil to shoot. Another very popular cal. is 3006 or 270. All are cheap to shoot and easy to find ammo. That being said if you want a 7 mag get one.

Bullet styles are all opinions and experiences. Personally i like BT, but that is what suits me and my situation. In tight the flat based bullets like parts or spire points would be a good bet. Just shoot a bunch and let the paper and your situation dictate what you throw down the pipe. IMO for deer almost any bullet type will work, given range and shot placement...just a matter of confidence and preference.

seattlesetters

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i have a 7mm rem mag myself and i love it but if your buying a gun just for deer hunting and your shots will be under 100 yards i don't think it's your best choice. there are many other calibers that would be a wiser choice for the situation your hunting in.
243, 260, 7mm-08 will all work wonderfully. the 260 and 7mm-08 are about as perfect as u can get for a straight deer gun. u could also get a 6.5x55 or even a 30-30 or a ton of other calibers but for short shots like that i don't think u need a 7mm mag. it'll work just fine sure, but it wouldn't be my first choice if i where hunting where u are.

cheers


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I would ditto what Prairie Boy has to say about the .260 Rem, 7mm/08 Rem and the 6.5x55 Swedish. I would also add the 7x57 Mauser and .280 Rem to his list, and the .270 Win, like frizzellr. All of these rounds are capable of taking deer at much longer ranges than you anticipate, and I wouldn't hesitate to shoot an elk with any of them at 250 yards or less and the right bullet.

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

Solitary Man

The 7mm mag will be fine for taking deer at just about any practical range. It's certainly not needed for close shots, but so what. My primary deer gun is a .300 Wby and I use it at all ranges both short and long. I've got two 7mm mags and they also work in both circumstances.

As far as bullets are concerned, you can't go wrong with the 160 gr. partition or 154 gr. Hornady interlock.

Ruger-Redhawk

The 7mm Rem Mag is a great deer cartridge.For the distances you are talking about I would get a 270 Win. I have both calibers and I like my 270 for deer. I shot a few with the 270 @ 200+ yards and they dropped in their tracks.A few weeks ago I shot a nice little 5 point with my 7mm.Approx 80 yards using Rem 150 grain Core Lokts.He dropped like a rock but there was allot of meat damage.Another very versatile cartridge is the trusty old 30-06. Hope you make the right choice. Ruger Redhawk

Support the NRA...Protecting our Gun Rights and Freedoms is everybody's responsibility. Ruger Redhawk A proud NRA Life Member since 1977.

LAHUNTER

There have been a bunch of good choices mentioned, personally I like the .270 best because that is what I use short or close. You should also look into the .308 because it seems like you are hunting in the woods and a shorter and handier gun might prove usefull. Also .308 military ammo is cheaper by bulk. Practice, practice, practice.

N3YWV

Get a magnum! You wont regret it<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

ALL DAY, EVERY DAY,IN THE WOODS...

stubblejumper

The 7mm rem mag will work fine on deer at all ranges.

BeltedMag

I just started using my 7mm mag last week. Ive killed 2 deer already both way under 100 yards. I shot the 7 point at about 30 yards quarting toward me and a spike at about 40. Both dropped with 30 yards and left a blood trail that Stevie Wonder could follow, they where dead when they hit the ground. I use 139 grain Hornady BTSP's and they shoot great. I also have tried 140 grain Remington Core-lokts. You will definetly not have trouble finding them with the mag. The spike i shot was hit low behind the front shoulder and blew the breast bone out and his heart was hanging between his legs when he fell. Its good to have something that will devastate them up close and reach out and touch them at long range too, couldnt do that with my old 30-30

pig dog 02

Let me echo what almost everyone else has said...the 7 mag will definitely do the job both up close and at long range. However, if you will only be taking shots under 150 yds, there are more practical cartridges. If you don't need the long range, then why deal with the unneccessary recoil and muzzle blast of the 7 mag? I think one of the best kept secrets for medium and short range deer hunting is the 7mm-08 (it's parent 308 is good too). I just started shooting my 7mm-08 this season, and i have never been happier with a gun. I like it more than my 30-06 and more than my brother's 270. The 7-08 has great balistic performance, and it will kill a deer just as well as a 7 mag at medium to short distances but without the recoil and muzzle blast. You will be able to shoot it more comfortably, more confidently, and therefore probably more accuratley. I am a big fan of the 7-08, and I think you will be too.

Rob

BeltedMag

Any of the 7mms are great guns, the .28 caliber is one the best rounds for penetration. The 7mm-08 is an amazing round. As far as the recoil on the 7 mag, i guess its all in the shooter i have never been bothered by mine. Ive even shot several rounds off the bench in a t-shirt. If you hold it tight it likes to push but not punch.