I need some help, I am looking to trade in some guns that I received from my uncle for a deer rifle. I currently hunt in a slug zone, and my knowledge of the various calibers is zip. From the little bit of research that I've done it seems that the 30-6 and .270 calibers are optimal, but am looking for your opinion. Thanks

Depends where you hunt, hard to beat a 270 for speed and reasonably priced cartridges, then again a 30-06 has so many different rounds available it's a good all around gun. I use a Browning 7 mm Mag for distance hunting, and a 22-250 out of my blind, both work well, and I don't recall ever having to shoot more than 1 shot at a deer in the 43 years I've been hunting for deer.

Don

where I live we can pretty much shoot as many as we want!! I've emptied my clip and had to shove more in lol.. I trippled last year.. a doe and 2 fawns came running wfo about a hundred yards out through the brush..emptied the rifle on them and got all 3 lol..those little fawns taste good..gotta love management hunting..

..
I've hunted with the same rifle since I was 12. It's an old 30-6 gamemaster pump..works good in the brush and works good on the field.

hers a picture of a 16 pointer I mounted...pumped him full of lead lol wasn't in the mood to track and he was on dead run at 275 yards

Really... 22-250 for hunting whitetails??? Mine does a great job on groundhogs and coyotes. Pretty sure it's illegal to hunt whitetails w/ in Mich. Mike

We can use any centerfired cartridge except 17 Caliber, I was surprised also how good it does, like they say, "dead is dead".

I love all creatures, they taste good with mashed potatoes.
In the zone I'm in, I believe last year if you got all available permts, you could take 43 deer, that's bow, rifle/pistol, muzzle loader, the most I took was six, about 4 years ago.

Don

Either caliber will perform quite well. What type of country do you hunt in? Open fields, woods?

I have a marlin 444 that I use most all the time for deer dont have to track very often . I also take an AR-15 that I like to use sometimes and yes I have a factory blocked mag that holds the correct ammount of shells . I would not use this gun for a chest shot but if Im just meat hunting I like to use this for head shots , The AR-15 is so accurate makes it easy to do this and theres no waste of meat and never any tracking . The law requires it to be above 22 caliber and the AR-15 is .223 so it just falls into usable Im also useing 55 grain bullets . I also always hunt my own property so I dont have to deal with the people on public land freaking out because your out there with an " assault weapon " LOL couldnt you put a flash hider on any gun and have the capability of useing a high capacity magazine and it would be branded as an assault weapon , anyway thats another story , If your an unexperienced hunter I wouldnt recomend the smaller calibers , If your hunting wide open spaces Id go with a 30:06 or a 308 . If wooded a 30:30 or a 444 . Try to stay away from some of the odd calibers especially when hunting away from home not all places carry some of the unique rounds but everyone will have 30:06 . Heres the michigan rules


http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-1...31578--,00.html

if it's brown it's down...hahaha. I only deerhunt 2 maybe 3 days a year.. kill 3 or 4 for the freezer and call it good.. too much work too trophy hunt all season for me anymore. lol. I figure if one shows up,great, if not who cares.. I just want some meat in the freezer anyways!! tasty

I feel the same way, don't have time to hunt real long, I stayed on my own property behind the shop the last 3 years.

Don

3X,

Most hunting will be in the woods, however, an all around rifle that I could use in the field would be great. Thanks

I'm in shotgun area..... With all the rife options avail, 22-250 seems kinda weak for whitetails. My .02 Mike

Weak, how? It's got more powder than a 30-30 a little less than a 30-06 , less drop and much more speed than a 223 with more muzzle velocity, and depending on the shell, as fast as 4000 ft. per second, I have bagged many deer with it, 1 shot, and drop.

22-250 is one of the straightest fastest shooting rifles that i have ever had the chance of shooting, i use a savage 7mm rem mag long shots srtaight and i love the power,

if you want one that shoots straight,these shoot straight.. my whole family uses these and they are NICE!!!!!
http://www.wisnersinc.com/additional_info/...er_model_70.htm

That's what my 22-250 is, model 70.

i have a remington model 710 .270 and i love it, very flat shooting rifle, at 200 yards i can shoot 1/2" 3 shot groups

.308 Win

If you are looking to buy new get a ruger rifle mark 2 with stainless barrel and laminated stock . all the calibers are the same price I bought 338 winchester mag so you could also go and hunt elk or anything you want. Also its a pretty good gun to have if you want to dwarf your buddys 7mm mag or 300 mag .

This is a conversation along the lines of what sled is best. Ask six people, and you'll get six different answers. Depending on rifle experience, I would recommend a .243 or .270 to start out with. With more experience, I would move up to a larger grained bullet for energy at greater distances. Also depends on where you hunt. Wide-open, normal range shots might not require a heavier round, but a 30-06/7mm might be a better option for shooting through thicker cover. A flat shooting round isn't everything, you also need the energy to penetrate the target (lethally) at impact.

I'm assuming deer is about the same size as caribou.w Anywhere from 250 lbs to 350 lbs right?

All I use for caribou hunting is a .223, sometime I may use my .308 when I'm out of ammo with my .223. Anything bigger then a .308 imo is over kill but then again, then again, I've never been huntign in the woods and never had to shoot though branches or bushes before.

Heck when I was 10-12 years old I use to use a .22 magnum on caribou, but I would have to be within 25 yards and either hit it in the head or neck for it to go down.

You must feel like a bad ass shooting the doe and 2 fawns.

That's what they want you to shoot here, in some areas if you don't take an antlerless deer first, you can't shoot a buck, seems we have way to many deer.

Don

seriously, the best caliber for whitetail deer is the 7mm-08. Light recoil, accurate etc.... i could go on.

I have a 7mm mag and love it. You can use it to kill anything shoots far and accurate.

Same thing in Barrow, Alaska. .223's are sufficient. 22's can do the job. From what I've learned up there, you can kill anything with a .22 with 1 shot. Shot placement.

what do you care really. Are you a bleeding heart deer hunter or just lurking in the forum and couldn't resist the reply?

For the record small deer taste very good. The guy said he eats what he kills so why don't you shut the @#$up

if "up North" is in Canada, you can easily get ahold of a Lee Enfield .303 British. they used to be used in both World wars and are very relaiable. my brothers use them and both were used in at least WWII and maybe WWI. they aren't antiques because there is so many of them. if your far north in Canada get a hold of Canadain Rangers, you might get a free Lee Enfield with a bunch of other stuff.

.260 Remington, 7mm-08 are both good models and very similar in ballistics and work well here in PA

However, since whitetails vary in size and shots are at many different distances across the US & Canada, I would have to say the 300WSM would be the best all around...if you hand load your own shells even better

Here in N.Lower MI I use a .270...Winchester SuperX 130 gr. silvertips. Nice shooting, manageable recoil.

Well,
I have used everything from my Grandpa's old Mossberg 20 gauge three shot bolt action, to my current- 20+ year old Savage Model 110c chambered in 30-06. I shoot Federal 150 grain soft points. Very rarely do I need more than one bullet to complete my season. Savage is not looked at as a gorgeous, wonderful gun amongst those who can afford the Brownings and H & Ks, etc.
I will tell you what, though... Go look at the hunting magazines and they almost always have a Savage 110 as one of the most accurate and best value for your money, guns. If I miss with this gun it is because I fucked up a shot or banged my scope out of whack. Take a lookie at the Savages. You can now buy them with the Stainless barrel and the composite stock for around $375.00.
This is one seriously accurate gun. I love my 30-06. I use the 150s because they really break up on entry and generally, if I place a good shot- take out the heart-literally and tear a hunk off a lung. Rarely do I need to go tracking. Just watch the dead deer run and then go get it when it falls over.

Well,
I have used everything from my Grandpa's old Mossberg 20 gauge three shot bolt action, to my current- 20+ year old Savage Model 110c chambered in 30-06. I shoot Federal 150 grain soft points. Very rarely do I need more than one bullet to complete my season. Savage is not looked at as a gorgeous, wonderful gun amongst those who can afford the Brownings and H & Ks, etc.
I will tell you what, though... Go look at the hunting magazines and they almost always have a Savage 110 as one of the most accurate and best value for your money, guns. If I miss with this gun it is because I fucked up a shot or banged my scope out of whack. Take a lookie at the Savages. You can now buy them with the Stainless barrel and the composite stock for around $375.00.
This is one seriously accurate gun. I love my 30-06. I use the 150s because they really break up on entry and generally, if I place a good shot- take out the heart-literally and tear a hunk off a lung. Rarely do I need to go tracking. Just watch the dead deer run and then go get it when it falls over.

well id say most popular right now is the ultra mags and 308s jimmy dose a ton of them in the shop (i work at hart rifle barrels jimmy is the gunsmith) at least thats what he dose a ton of i still love the 308s really it all depends on what you hunt and what range alot of the ultras are for out west

It depends on where you hunt.

Long range shots (250yds+) get a .270 or .300 win mag


In the bush- 30-30,308, even a 30.06

ive killed alot of deer with my 270 130gr and none of them dropped in their tracks...my 243 100gr i have only shot 5 and everyone but 1 dropped immediatly you do the math

270WSM,73gr Magpro, 140gr Barnes TSX, 3260fps Chrony, does a damn fine job on bambi for sure

Both the .270 and 30-06 are going to work great for you for sure!, Here is my .02cents. I was in the same situation a few years back and then thought a good all around gun would be a 7mm or .300. then if you so decide to go out West or someplace for big game you will have a "do-all" gun. I ended up getting a Browning 300 WSM. And I must say, best gun I have ever shot/owned. Since I have sold off all my others and bought Brownings. I have shot a ton, and Browning are just beautiful guns.

Ditto, Brownings are really nice. I currently have 2 .270WSM's, One is a Weatherby Vanguard Sporter SS wich is a nice rifle in it's own rite, and the other I just got last fall and it is a Browning A bolt M 1000 Eclipse SS, that thing is UNBELIEVABLE!!!! At 100 yds shooting my hunting load I was able to put 15 shots on paper that could have easily been covered with a 50 cent piece and probably a quarter. The most impressive part was that it was pretty much continuous firing with no time to cool, chamber/fire, chamber fire. I love that bull barrel!!!!!! My weatherby will shoot 3 shot sub MOA but u need to really take your time between shots or it will scatter, gun is going to get free floated/bedded this summer.

Do the math...hmmmmmm...ok....how 'bout you learn how to shoot your .270?!?!


Any man foolish enough to suggest the .243 is a better 'all-around' deer caliber than the .270 needs to go back to school for some math lessons....no offense of course!


Oh yeah, one other thing....deer, more often than not, will NOT drop in their tracks with a well-placed shot in the boiler...regardless of caliber.

I use a Marlin 30-30, and have done quite well it's light, and not alot of kick. The longest shot i made was around 100 yards neck shot it, and put it right down. My dad also uses a 30-30, my grandpa uses a 30-06 and blasts them pretty well. I love my 30-30,

my .308 is quiet as hell and shoots for ever, never hadta chase a deer, wouldnt trade it for anything, we also have a 303 britsh but it the one used in thick bush, my dad got it in a trade, it looks alot differnet then my old 303, also a good gun

Remington 7600 pump, 270 win. 130gr nosler ballistic tips for anything up to big deer, 140gr nosler accubonds for anything bigger. shot placement is still the key!

i would get a .270. i have a remington model 700 .270 and it is awesome.

IT ALL DEPENDS ON HOW BIG YOU ARE, HOW FAR YOU SHOOT, AND IF IT'S CLEAR OR BRUSH.

If your a guy that weighs say 150, don't go grab a ultra mag and expect to kill animals. It's too big.
I shoot many different guns, own many guns and shoot competitively, and here are my recommendations.

Brush guns 30-30, or any of the big bore series guns 375, 4570, etc

Clear distance guns 25.06,260, 270, 280, 30.06, 308 all these will kill a deer at 200 yards with ease

long range guns Weatherby magnums all, all Ultras by Remington,7mm mag/ultra, 300 mag/ultra,338 winchester mag, 33-78 mag, etc all these guns are to big for you if you are a small man, meaning 175 pounds or less. You can shoot these to see if you live close to me. My son in law got his ass handed to him with one of my Ultra's this year. He's 6'1" and 200. LOL
These long range guns are good for a average gunner to 400 yards. I shoot alot and have made shots to 600 yards accurately.

If your budget minded and just shoot a few shots a year the 308, 30.06, 270,25.06 are all good choices. Before you make a choice, I would suggest looking at a balistics chart also. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've Got a .270 for feilds, which will fire 150gr 300 yrds. with minimal drop, and my ol' .35 remington lever action. Killed my 6 pointer this year with it, droped almost right where it stood

Everybody's answer is going to be different, I have learned alot about bullets and calibers since living in Alaska, but the one thing that I can honestly say is I love my Browning rifles, I have an array of them but my favorite is my 300WSM with Boss, I currently handload which are 180gr Barnes Triple Shock, I have shot alot of Sitka Blacktail deer which are tiny compared to whitetail sometimes they drop sometimes they run a little ways, my wife shot her Dall sheep with it at 452 yards and it dropped instantly. I also have a .338 Win Mag loaded with 225gr Barnes Triple Shock, shot my goat at 140 yards in the shoulder to anchor it and much to my amazement it went over a 500 foot cliff and tried to run away, the second shot went through the back, lungs, liver, and heart, before exiting between its legs, it fell down and tried to get up again before rolling down a rock washout. My wife shoots a .270WSM again drops whitetails and blacktails, it is about what you want to spend and how involved you get with the research. I don't worry about the bullet damage it does, up here I like to have that advantage on my side if I have to use it to fend off a Grizzly, which happens quite often. Or you could do what I would do....buy one of everything that someone has posted and build a bigger gun collection!!LOL!!! Good Luck, Jason

30/30 or .35 rem. for in the heavy woods
.308 for good all around hunting
.270 winchester short mag for wide open long range shots

I have a model 70 winchester in 300 WSM (winchester short magnum ) This cartridge in my opinion is the ultimate if you can only own 1 gun for any big game in north america. It is the same length as a 308 cartridge but rivals and even surpasses the 300 win mag, 300 weatherby mag and allows it to be chambered in a shorter lighter easier to operate action. I have taken many deer with this rifle as well as 2 one shot kills on antelope at over 300 yards. That would be my recomendation for a caliber. As far as rifles go take a look at the Savage American Classsic model 14/114 the accu-trigger is amazing and savage makes a very good barrel. And pay no attention to these people on here telling you about "brush" guns. There is no such thing. A heavy slow bullet will deflect when it hits brush just as often as a light fast bullet will. The bottom line is, NO RESPONSIBLE HUNTER SHOOTS UNLESS HE HAS A CLEAR, SAFE SHOT!!! The reason some guns give you an advantage in the brushy areas is because they are short and fast to move around without tangling in the brush ect. not because they magically bust through everything in their way without deflecting.

i hunt with a Mossberg 100ATR,chambered in .30-06.out the door,set up for a scope,for 270.00.it will drive tacks at 300 yards with a 4x12 nikon.love it.also have a .280.love that too.little more power than a 270,but just as flat shooting.

In my opinion, go big or go home!. You can never be under powered when it comes to rifle hunting. I'll tell ya, my 7mm Rem Mag sure does the trick. It's does a great job field hunting as well as bush hunting. Long and accurate & short powerful!. Oh, and make sure to get one thats all blacked out....... all this talk makes it hard to wait for November!.