Best caliber for whitetail
 

I am going to buy a new gun and I need help deciding on a caliber, rifle, scope and bullet combination for deer and elk size game. I live in northern MO and my shots will be any where from 25 to 400yrds. I am looking at a 7mm rem mag. What do you think?

RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

Personally I'm a .30-06 devotee. You should probably go down either to the Guns forum, or the Firearms Review Forum; there are hundreds of posts about the best whitetail caliber.

By the way, I use a Remington 700 ADL with a Leupold Rifleman 3-9x40 scope. It's my first deer rifle, and it suits me well.

RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

Yeah I'd probably go with the 7mm Rem. Mag. They will have more than enough knock down power at 400 yards. As you can tell by my user name, I am big 7mm fan. I also use the Remington 700 ADL model; it is a great gun at a great price. As for the scope, a 3-9 or 4-12 would do fine. I shoot 150 grain bullets and they do just fine for deer.

RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

Man, this question is like asking someone if they like Chevy, Ford, or Dodge. It really just depends on what you are confortable with. Myself, I hunt in the Texas Hill Country. I like shooting small calibers like the 22-250. Now I don't recomend that just anybody use this caliber because shot placement is critical. If you plan to shoot your deer in the body then a larger caliber is needed like 25-06, .270, 30-06 or something along those lines. I shoot all my deer in the neck so the 22-250 is ideal. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a large mule deer in the neck with this caliber. Point in case, I killed a 230lb Audad last year with one shot in the neck with my 22-250. It really is preference and what you feel confortable with.

RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

Doesn't matter which caliber you choose, as long as there is a Leupold sitting on top of it!!!:)

RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

But I wouln't shoot elk with the 22-250. If you are hunting those, better go with a larger caliber.

RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

There is no perfect cartridge but I do prefer the 7mmrem mag over the 30-06.There is no way that I would consider replacing my swarovski's with leupolds and therefore reducing the quality of my optics..

RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

<<<<--------- as you can probably tell that is my pick for my rifle;) I use it for my all arounder for deer, elk and moose with no problems. While long shot are a good possibility for me, I haven't needed them for a few years but was one of the reasons I picked the 7 Rem Mag. Whitetail I prefer 150 gr Ballistic tip style bullets, but anything from 140-165 will work fine. On bigger stuff 140-175 solid constructed bullet will work well out of the 7 rem mag, just find the right bullet and drive her home.


Optics depends on the funds but I would suggest a 3x9 or 3.5 x 10 should suffice (maybe a 4-12) I prefer 44-50 mm objectives but anything 40-50 should work well. If your looking to save a bit in funds but a decent scope in optics the Bushnell Elites are a darn good piece of glass that won't break the bank. Lots of good options, to many to list from mid to high end, your best suited to either narrow it down or at least give the members an idea how much cash you have banked for glass.

RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

Dr. J.Y. Jones of Georgia has taken every huntable big game specie in North America using a Remington 700 ADL in .30-06.

A cannon can't make up for poor hunting or shooting abilities.

A .30-06 is big enough for bear/moose/whitetail and easy enough on the shoulder.


But I must admit....there is nothing like the roar of a 7mm.;)

RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

I have to place my vote for .270. It is the flattest shooting and most accurate gun I have ever owned. I have shot deer at 300 yards with it and stopped a 420 lb bear in it's tracks. It shoots a nickel sized pattern at 150 yards and it never has let me down.