Which deer rifle?
10-04-2011, 02:49 PM
#23
Fork Horn
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Southeastern PA
Posts: 136
Damaged Meat?
There seems to be lots of concern about damaged meat from larger bullets.
Most of my deer have been taken with a copper, hollow point slug. They are about 325 grains traveling at 1450 FPS with 2040 lbs of energy. Not too different from some of the big bore center fire "brush" calibers. They go right through creating nice holes which make a nice trail. I have never had any significant meat loss.
If you put the shot where it is supposed to go, you are good. If you pull a shot and blast bone all over, that is your fault and, most any bullet will have the same effect.
Check with your butcher. He has seen them all.
Most of my deer have been taken with a copper, hollow point slug. They are about 325 grains traveling at 1450 FPS with 2040 lbs of energy. Not too different from some of the big bore center fire "brush" calibers. They go right through creating nice holes which make a nice trail. I have never had any significant meat loss.
If you put the shot where it is supposed to go, you are good. If you pull a shot and blast bone all over, that is your fault and, most any bullet will have the same effect.
Check with your butcher. He has seen them all.
10-04-2011, 05:52 PM
#24
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location:
Posts: 5,130
Big,
I always love it, when someone makes it simple !
"If you put the shot where it is supposed to go, you are good. If you pull a shot and blast bone all over, that is your fault and, most any bullet will have the same effect. " BB
I always love it, when someone makes it simple !
"If you put the shot where it is supposed to go, you are good. If you pull a shot and blast bone all over, that is your fault and, most any bullet will have the same effect. " BB
10-06-2011, 01:06 PM
#25
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 105
Cartridges I'd suggest are all on the 308 case or smaller. 243win 85gr to 100gr bullets, 260Rem 120gr to 140gr bullets, 7-08 Rem 139/140gr bullets, 308 Win 165gr to 180gr bullets. There is also the 300 Savage, probably pretty hard to find ammo for.
I have avoided anything on other than the 308 case. Go to those on the 30-06 case and they are fine but with the ranges your talking about, add nothing to the search except more velocity and you sure don't need that.
Actually, I've never used one, but a 12ga with buckshot or slugs would work well for you. There are 12ga shotguns made with rifled barrels for using slugs. If you decide to try birds, you can swap out the barrel for a smooth bore.
There are a whole lot of other choices not only on the 30-06 case but also belted cases and new short magnum cases. They are all overkill for what you want.
I have avoided anything on other than the 308 case. Go to those on the 30-06 case and they are fine but with the ranges your talking about, add nothing to the search except more velocity and you sure don't need that.
Actually, I've never used one, but a 12ga with buckshot or slugs would work well for you. There are 12ga shotguns made with rifled barrels for using slugs. If you decide to try birds, you can swap out the barrel for a smooth bore.
There are a whole lot of other choices not only on the 30-06 case but also belted cases and new short magnum cases. They are all overkill for what you want.
10-08-2011, 02:12 PM
#26
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Titusville Florida
Posts: 1,727
I have to ask, why don't you want a 30-30? A Marlin 336 in 30-30 with a 2-7 scope would be perfect for your situation. Of course if what you want is the 30-06, then that's what you should buy. Just about any centerfire rifle will kill a deer and all of them will ruin some meat. Try and shoot behind the shoulder and you only lose some rib meat.
10-08-2011, 02:31 PM
#27
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Renfrew County, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,392
You don't mention if you have other firearms or not and wether or not you might want to do some small game hunting.
But if you were, for the range you'll be shooting, I'd go with a 20 guage shotgun. Remington 870 has a combo out for a reasonable price. With good sabots the deer won't have a chance.
Just a thought. Then you would have a dual purpose firearm.
HA
But if you were, for the range you'll be shooting, I'd go with a 20 guage shotgun. Remington 870 has a combo out for a reasonable price. With good sabots the deer won't have a chance.
Just a thought. Then you would have a dual purpose firearm.
HA
10-17-2011, 07:45 PM
#28
Spike
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1
The advice about bigger bullets and slower speed is sound if you wish to damage less meat. The 35 Remington is an excellent modest range deer killer. My first deer rifle was a 336 Marlin in 35 rem. I have used a 270 for decades and it kills deer rapidly but has a long history of meat damage. I recently bought a 338 Federal and guess it will kill deer very effectively, but has more power than needed for close range deer shooting.
10-13-2018, 07:01 AM
#30
Spike
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 8
I'm finally getting back into deer hunting after a few years and need advice on which rifle to get (my 30-30 got flooded during Hurricane Katrina). My food plot is about 50 yards long and 40 yards wide. I will mostly be hunting on the plot so I really won't be shooting that far of a distance. I really don't want to go with a 30-30 again. I was originally thinking about getting a 30-06 but after looking at the bullets I am worried that I might destroy too much of the meat at that close of a distance. Do you think I will be fine with a 30-06 or should I go with a smaller caliber rifle? Any recommendations?
you’ll do great with 30-06. I shot a 6 pointer at 80 yards. He just plop down. Kicked around for a moment and went into the white light. I now shoot a 7.62x39 softer on the shoulder When it comes to the recoil.