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Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
I am farely new to hunting. I was wondering what you guys use. Here in PA I rarely see over 100 yards in the woods, but would like something accurate out to 150 just in case. I would also like something with a lot of knock down power. Thanks guys.
Shots that are True....Pass right Through!!! |
RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
i like the .30-06 myself...you hit them in the lungs they arent going far at all...i like sierra gamekings in a 165gr hpbt or 165gr nosler balistic tips...i hunt PA too and know how it is...and its fine for bear if you ever wanted too...
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RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
I shoot a savage 7mm mag, but I also really like the .270 If you are a little recoil shy I would go with the .270, but if you don't mind it like me then I you can't hardly beat the 7mm mag, plus if you ever get to go on a elk or moose hunting trip you won't have much of a problem.
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RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
Just about any rifle cartrage will be good out to 150yds. The previous posts mentioned some excellent cartrages for overall use. Just about any rifle you find capable of taking a whitetail will be good to 150 yards. For those times when I hunt in an area that is not shotgun only, I carry a .270Win. Modest recoil, fast and flat shooting. Good to somewhere in the range of 400yds, although I don't think I would ever even get the chance for a shot that long out here.
In most cases it is the shooter that is the accuracy problem. |
RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
LISTEN, if you want to track your deer use a .270! Several of my hunting partners and I all use .300 Win Mag! I have NEVER tracked a deer that I have shot with my rifle!!
My Dad just bought a 7mm Win. Short Mag. to replace his heavy recoil .338 Win Mag. and he LOVES it! Oh, this years kill was a 177 lbs. doe shot at 25 feet with 200 grain Bear Claw!!!---------Just my opinion!!! IN THE KILLZONE! |
RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
come on guys why tear-up the meat a 243 with 100gr winchester only bullet light recoil increases accuracy for great bullet placement yes you will have to do a lil tracking but isnt that what hunting is all about its not a long season so lets enjoy it
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RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Oh, this years kill was a 177 lbs. doe shot at 25 feet with 200 grain Bear Claw!!!---------<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>
Any more than that and you might as well get in a pickup and try to hit one on the roads!!! Nate |
RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>LISTEN, if you want to track your deer use a .270! <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>
Are you high? I use a .270 to hunt elk and mulies in Colorado and the farthest any have gone after the shot was 50 yards. The .270 will kill deer as fast as any caliber out there and it kicks a hell of alot less than a 300 or 338 Win. mag. If you want to hunt whitetails with a 300 or 338 then go for it, but it is absolutly not necesary. |
RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
Ah, 150 yards eh? that's what I call the "golden range". You can use anything. A 243 is an excellent rifle and you can't beat it for recoil. If you are a traditionalist you can use the 30-30, I've always loved that one. But I would say for a beginer that a 243 is awsome. If you want a gun that you can hunt anything in north america with, and don't mind a little more recoil, you can go with the 30-06. The 243 would be my first choice for out 150 yards.
"Hey ya'll, watch this" |
RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
OlMossy, as you can probably tell, asking what caliber rifle to use is like bringing up the old Chevy/Ford debate.lol
Seriously, glad you've decided to take up hunting and aren't afraid to ask questions. That is very important. Honestly, any large caliber is good for deer hunting but everyone has their preference. What it boils often boils down to is recoil. Some people enjoy shooting at the range and they don't want something that is going to kick like mule. Also the calibers that kick hard aren't good for younsters and women and the kick can cause a person to flinch at the trigger pull. Now the up side to them is they are like a small cannon.lol I personally use a .243 and a .22-250. Some people don't think it's wise to use a small caliber like the .22-250 on deer but I take neck shots and I've never had a deer take a step. I shot a nice 10pt at 220 yrds in the neck and he fell over like a ton of bricks. I've got the video to prove it. The .243 is really an all around good gun and the kick isn't bad at all. My wife shoots one also and she enjoys shooting it at the range. Remember that is doesn't really matter what the other guys think, as long as you are comfortable and accurate with your gun. Good luck on what ever caliber you choose and I hope you kil Ol' Mossy Horns! -------------------------------------------- Hunting the Piney Woods of Deep East Texas. |
RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
I agree with TXCowboy, it boils down to what you can shoot comfortably, accuratley and your preference not someone elses. However i might add that another thing to consider is your area in which you hunt and the animal or game you plan to hunt. I know you said deer, but deer size is drastically different from different parts of NA. Up where I live shooting 250-300 whitetail bucks is common, other areas it might be 150-200. Also the range of game you may hunt, again here I can hunt lopers, bear, whitetail, mule deer, elk and moose. So for me or guys here buying a 243 would not be a good all arounder choice.
Ask yourself 1) what are your needs today (150 yards whitetail deer) 2) will my needs chang and will the gun be adaptable? 3) what can I shot effectively and accurately? (Recoil) 4) what do i really want and will that fit into my above answers as well? This will not only have you satisfied but will relate to confidence. MoNoFletch, is confident with his 300 and 200 gr bear claws...it is not required but it transpired to a successful hunt. Txcowboy, is happy and confident with his 22-250. It transpired to success in the field. I am comfortable with a 7 rem Mag...all equals confidence. Don't buy b/c somebody says it is the best. Buy one that you think is the best and it will be the best. You can see many different answers to your question from different people..they use what they like, need and want. As far as 150 deer only 243 and up will equally work, as long as you do your part. However if you want a more all arounder I would say 270 and up, this would be if the bigger stuff may be in the future for you. Ah hell you can always buy a new toy if the time arises too..so have fun! |
RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
243 win and larger will all work at those ranges .
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RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
Olmossyhorns
You have many choices that would work well for you. There is the 243,260rem,7mm-08 & 308 all based on the 308 case necked down.I would probably give the 243 a miss for something with a little more bullet weight,I particularly like the 7mm-08,I wonce shot a large wild bull with it,dropped it on the spot & it must have been atleast 800 pounds have also shot rabbits with it at over 300 yards. The 308 might be a better cal though if you dont handload.All these cals have mild recoil & muzzle blast & are very accurate. You should also look at the 25-06,270,280 & 30-06,all based on the 30-06 case,all would work well for you but expect more recoil & muzzle blast,all of these cals are accurate. Good luck with your choice,personally I wouldn't go any heavier than the 308 & definately not go heavier than the 30-06. Tumbo |
RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
The 35 Whelen is perfect for what you are looking for. I shot three deer this last season and none went further than 20 yards and I don't rip up half the meat that my freinds and their 300 magnums do.
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RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
JMHO,But a 7mm-08 would not be a bad choice.
Danville Va.LAST CAPITAL OF THE CONFEDERACY |
RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
Skeeter 7MM, brings up a good point that I didn't really think about. The size or your deer does make a difference. Here is East Tx out deer are pretty small. We've killed 4 mature does this year and only 1 broke 100lbs <u>with</u> the guts in. A buck over 150-160 lbs (with guts) is considered pretty big for our parts. Sure there are a few 200 pounders but that is very rare. That being said, even though I'm 100% confident that I can take down a buck with a neck shot with my .22-250, I'd still opt for a larger caliber if I was hunting up north were the deer were bigger.
You might even want a caliber bigger than a .243? However, I would think a .270 would be plenty big for any whitetail you could hunt. Good luck! -------------------------------------------- Hunting the Piney Woods of Deep East Texas. |
RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
It doesn't really matter what rifle you use as long as you shoot it well. Heck a .22 would bring down a deer but I wouldn't recommend anyone trying. Even your lighter calibers like the .243 will leave a good blood trail as long as you have a pass through with the bullet and that all depends on where you place the bullet. I have hunted with a .30-.30 for a few years and have taken deer at the 150 yard range and even a little further. I now have a .280 and use that and feel comfortable taking deer out to 300 yards. The key is shot placement, not rifle caliber.
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RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
I'm pretty partial to my Rem 7400 30-06.......3x9x40 Leupold with see thru mounts......where I hunt is brushy and shots over 60 or 70 yards are a rarity.......but I site in at 100.....I also like the 165 grain winchester Fail Safe bullets.....but that's just my pref......you may like a bolt action...I'd bet there has been more deer taken with a mod 94 winchester 30-30 than any other rifle out there.....it's all what you like...
In our line of work, we must be able to play Dixie and the Battle Hym of the Republic, With Equal Enthusiasm. |
RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
This goes to MoNoFletch, I've used a .243 for years now, and have NEVER had to track a deer. And as for the .270, my dad has used a .270 since he was little; if he has had to track a deer, it hasn't been any farther then 50 yards or so. He's also dropped a Pa. 320 lb black bear with a .270. You see, the way I see it, if your a good shot, and can down an animal cleanly, why use anything bigger then you have to and chance blowing up meat. Just my beliefs. But if your starting out hunting here in Pa. a .270, will cleanly down ANY animal to hunt for here. GOOD LUCK!
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RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
As you can tell from the other posts, there is no perfect deer round. I always say the best round is the one you are shooting at the time. I have shot deer with .257's, .270's ,7mm's, 30's and 35's. I have been with people who were shooting from .22 cal. thru .45 cal, they all kill deer. I have seen deer drop in their tracks when hit with a 100gr. bullet out of a .257 Roberts, yet I have had deer run 40 yds. when hit with a 180gr. bullet out of a 300 Wby. That just proves to me that its not the "caliber" that kills, its a properly constructed bullet placed in the vitals that kills. Im not saying that you wont have a deer run after being hit with a leathal shot because it does happen, but if you place the bullet right they will just be moving on adrenalin. I have shot deer that were calm and they will usually drop on the spot, but if they are worked up from something they sometimes will make a mad dash after being hit. As far as meat damage goes any bullet will tear up some meat. Some people like to hit them in the shoulder, some in the neck, and others behind the shoulder. To each there own, I aim for the area that best presents itself at the time. If I had to have only one gun for deer hunting here in Pa. I would go with a .308, 30-06 or one of the 30 cal. magnums. My reason would be that the 30 cal. has a very wide range of bullet weights available, from 110 grs. up to 250 grs. I would stay in the 150gr. to 180gr. range for deer. Because of this I feel it is more verasatile than other calibers, just in case you go after bear or elk in the future. I also lean toward the magnums because I feel you cant "overkill" something. I really think some of the new short mags are the way to go, almost the same power as the full size magnums in a short action gun. The magnums will kick more than the .308 or 30-06 but they are not that bad, I am 5-6, 140 lbs. and dont have a problem shooting my .300 Wby. accurately. Top your gun off with a good quality (Leupold) variable power(3 to 9) scope and you are good to go.
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RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
I'm sorry guys, I don't dislike your choices of rifles!! Your right--you can kill a deer with a .22 with a well placed shot!! I just like the added insurance--"IF" I should get a less than perfect shot. I live in central Missouri where you only get 75-100 yards if your lucky. Most hunters here use a .30-.30 or a .35 Remington.
I've killed deer with .30-06 and 7 mm as well! I bought the .300 for my all around gun---(whitetail--elk--and mulies!)----Sorry if I offended anyone!!! This is just like Taste GREAT---Less FILLING!!!! LET'S ALL HUNT!!!! IN THE KILLZONE! |
RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
i myself am partial to my 30-06, i got it from an old girlfriend back in '81-'82 for my birthday, i took it out and shot the sh!t out of it and now it's like my right arm, i know it inside and out.
what i'm trying to say is that whatever you get learn it, shoot it alot, clean it alot but most importantly is TAKE CARE OF IT, and you'll have it a lifetime and probly pass it on to your kids also. my wife once told me that i look at BETSY like i'm in love with it,,,,and i told her that BETSY never tells me no!!!!!!!! but thats another story. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> IF IT IS TO BE...... IT IS UP TO ME...... |
RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
I second what Tumbo said. I have:
22-250 25-06 270....Jack O'Conner loved this round 30-06 375H&H mag 22-250....don't use on deer 25-06 will kill most any deer that walks this Earth to 400 yards 270 will kill any deer, elk, bou out to 400 yards 30-06 anything in North America including Grizz & moose 375 H & H mag....To big for PA. Don't get caught up in the magnum crap....... Don't get caught in the neck shot crap either......you'll wound one one day. True shots don't pass through. A shot that passes through wastes energy. You want the bullet to mushroom and land under the skin on the other side of the deer after it passes the lungs and possible the heart. If you are really interested in learning about calibers here are some books that I think you should get: "Modern Sporting Rifle Cartridges" by Wayne Van Zwoll "Lymans Guide To: Big Game Cartridges" by Edward Matunas "Cartridges Of The World" by Frank C Barnes These authors pretty much say the same thing about most of the popular rounds that are out there. I'd say they know what they are talking about and are not bias. I would read them and then make your mind up. Tifford Hold Steady |
RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
OlMossyhorns
Listen to Tifford,he has some good advice here,read the books he suggests,search for info on the calibers on the net,talk to the gunshops & people at your local shooting range if you can. He is correct,if your bullets are passing through your overgunned or using the wrong bullets,all that does is waste meat,some of the bullets energy is wasted,you want it all used in the chest if possible. All of the cals listed are accurate & have heaps of knockdown power. 25-06,270,280,30-06,260,7mm-08& 308,all would be suitable,however if you don't handload the 270,30-06 or 308 might be the best choice. No need for magnums,you could even use a 243 if you place your shots very carefully & pass on ones that you are not able to place perfectly. Remember if you over gun,your deer wont know the difference but it will cost you more money & waste meat. |
RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
My personal fav for whitetails is my 7mm-08. It is so accurate and the recoil is so light! But regardless of what my fav or anyone else's fav is, you have to find your own fav. Anything from 243 to 30-06 will work great for deer. I think the magnums are a little unneccessary...why put up with that recoil and muzzle blast? You dont need it! Like most people are saying, get something you can shoot confidently and accurately, and then get to know and love your rifle...make it your best friend, and she will never let you down, as long as you dont let her down. Practice with it and get to know it....and good luck!
PigDog |
RE: Deer Hunting Caliber Question?
a marlin 45-70. its got the range, its got the power, its got the classic look, though a ruger #1 singleshot in 45-70 would also be a good choice. at those distances dont get a magnum they will ruin more meat than a standard cartridge. me personally i use a ruger gp-100 in .357magnum. some argue its not enough but you can argue with a bullet that passes thourgh the deer and out the otherside. double lung shots are the only ticket for the cartridge though, i wont try any other shots. actually anothe good choice for you is the ruger deerfield carbine in 44mag. plenty of power in a light package, and its auto loading if you like that sort of thing
propmahn save the world, reload your brass |
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