What is your favorite deer hunting cartridge and why? [Archive]

Jayhem

01-07-2010, 09:03 PM

Like the title says.

I've been hunting deer with rifles since 1991 and over the years I've used:
.243 Win
.270 Win
.30/30
.30-06
.50 cal muzzleloader
.45 cal muzzleloader
7mm-08 Rem

By far the 7mm-08 is my favorite deer cartridge and here's why.

1. It is a short action, medium power cartridge, suitable for small carbine like bolt action rifles. My personal favorite is a Remington Model 7 (Stainless/Synthetic). 20" barrel, supper light gun, somewhere around the 6 lb mark.

2. 7mm (.284) has a TON of bullets available for handloading. Personally I love the 140 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip...it has performed flawlessly for me on some 10 deer.

3. Even with a 140 grain bullet, I can push 2750 fps with my handloads and still with very managable recoil in the light rifle.

4. Trajectory and downrange energy is excellent, especially with the ballistic tip bullet.

5. Even with the thin, 20" barrel I have been able to easily get 1.0" groups with handloading at 100 yards. Not bad for a "carbine"!

In summary: excellent all around deer caliber, light recoil, plenty of downrange energy and good trajectory for such a low recoil round. Very suitable for light weight rifles which make long hikes in the woods effortless.

Anyone else have a favorite?

Fat-beeman

01-07-2010, 09:11 PM

my favorite rifles are my 30/30 and 35 rem I killed 7 deer this yr with them all cast and with shot gun powder. I also shot 223 30/06 308 7.7 jap 303 brit 6.5 swed 7mm
nothing wrong with mil hunting rifles.

Don
looking for a free chex11 next:castmine:

chuckbuster

01-07-2010, 09:15 PM

Right now it is my .41 MAG Blackhawk :)

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/CBMJake/ShadyCoveBuck2009.jpg

Who knows what change next season might bring. I just can't choose a favorite, enjoy them all.
.35REM Contender
1894 Win .30-30
A-Bolt 7mm Mag
'71 Win .348 WCF
1898 KRAG .30-40
1894 Marlin .41 Mag (just added)
even my .300 Weatherby has a place.

Kevin

Rusty W

01-07-2010, 09:51 PM

My favorite is the ole 30/30. Pure sentimental reasons. It's what I started/shot my first deer with, a single shot H&R. Then used my dads Win 94 to take a couple more. As the years crept up on my dad he got to where he couldn't see very well and gave me his 30/30. I shoot it sometimes but rarely hunt with it. I have a Ruger #1, 45/70 for 150yds or less. Next would be my Mod 70, 06 for longer shots. Either of the 3 you would have to pry my cold dead hands from to get them.

MtGun44

01-07-2010, 10:00 PM

7x57. All the same reasons as you like the 7-08 except the short action.
What diff does less than 1/2" make??? 7x57 will do everything a 7-08 will
and more due to more case volume and room to accomodate heavy bullets.

Only silly 45ksi limit keeps it down, and handloading blows past that.

7-08 is great, 7x57 has a slight edge except you almost can't buy a rifle in that
caliber any more. :cry:

7-08 is a really excellent 2nd choice.

Bill

Bullshop Junior

01-07-2010, 10:40 PM

I have a 7mm/08 but have never shot a deer with it. ;)
I have used these on moose
35 rem
405 win.

pls1911

01-07-2010, 10:51 PM

I cannot argue with any of the expressed opinions... I love a .308, but just don't shoot it much.
My preference would depend upon the conditions of the hunt.
Shots of 100 yards or less for deer, pigs or even elk, I'd prefer an open sight
Marlin 30/30 with a cast 170-190 grain flat nosed bullet at 2000 fps. A shoulder shot will anchor any of these critters in their tracks.
Longer shots? Ask a Marine sniper about the .308... Model 70, or model 700... it's enough for hunting distances... I promise.
Do your part, place your shot well with a well constructed 160-170 grain slug, it's enough... as is the 30-30 within it's limits.

280Ackley

01-07-2010, 10:57 PM

280AI for all the reasons listed above in favor of 7mm. Favorite bullet 140 Barnes X. But, for all the things I love about this cartridge I truely believe it is the rifle it's in rather than the cartridge. I have great confidence in this rifle and that's why its the go to gun. I would probably be just as happy with my 243, or 257 or 30-06 if they shot as well for me as the 280 does.

Uncle R.

01-07-2010, 11:10 PM

It's funny you should pick the 7-08. When Remington made it legitimate how many years ago I looked at the ballistic charts and pronounced it the perfect deer cartridge. I guess great minds think alike. :bigsmyl2:
<
In reality you can't pick the perfect cartridge without some consideration for WHERE and HOW it will be used. Slow, quiet still hunting in the big northern woods or swamps where a shot seldom goes over a hundred yards? Or maybe southern bean field elevated stands where you'll get opportunities at 500 yards or more from a solid rest? How about eastern deer drives and the running snap shots that the drivers (or even standers) are offered?
<
Obviously the local situations and customs make a big difference. Where I usually hunt the shots range from hard running driven deer to easy standing shots - from nearly arms length "powder burn" range to shots way down the valley - literally as far as you dare to try. A perfect rifle for my use in my area must have the power, accuracy and trajectory for 300 yard shots but handle fast and easy for those close-up movers.
<
I say 300 yards because that's pretty much my personal limit for shooting at an unwounded deer - subject to wind and other conditions. If you're a 500 yard shooter then have at 'em - but don't expect ME to applaud. It's been my experience that there are a lot more guys who think they can hit at such long (and guesstimated) distances than reliably can, first time - EVERY time. Still - I'd probably believe that some folks on this board really could.
<
Favorite? I pretty much like 'em all, I've carried .44, .41 and .357 handguns, a .44-40 '73 repro, .44 rifles by Marlin and Ruger, and my '95 Marlin. I've carried .30-30s and .30-06s, 270s, a .280, a .244 and a few .243s, and even a .257 Roberts. I carried a mini-30 7.62x39 that didn't have the power or the accuracy for ranges past 100 yards, and of course THAT was the day I saw the nice buck at maybe 250 yards. Gawd help me, when I was young I chased after deer with dad's M1 Carbine and even a 20 ga. 11-48 with nothing but a full-choked barrel and the factory bead sight. You couldn't reliably hit a wash tub at 75 yards with THAT setup, but I was 13 years old and it was all I could get and I wanted to hunt.
Sigh...
I killed dozens of deer with my .25-06 and many more with a 7 Rem Mag. I"ve taken a bunch with my 700 Classic 7x57 and several more with a sweet Winchester .270 and maybe half a dozen with my .44 mags and after all that - I STILL think the 7-08 is just about perfect for deer. But any .308, .30-06, or 270 class cartridge will work just fine if used with an appropriate bullet and load. You'd be hard pressed to tell the difference in the field.
<
Uncle R.

MT Gianni

01-07-2010, 11:17 PM

Well I've used 243, 25-06, 270, 30-30, 308, 30-06, 300 Win, 8mm 303, 356, 50 frontstuffer, 12 gauge, 357 and 44 Mags and probably a few more. I like the 308 in a blr for my favorite w/jacketed. I hope the 358 turns out as well with lead. Light, portable, quick and accurate with enough punch to do something when it gets there.

Tazman1602

01-07-2010, 11:34 PM

.243 Winchester hands down with Barnes 95 grain X bullet which I can't get anymore.

450 Marlin is a close second and next year I'm REALLY leaning towards cast and the 45-70 at moderate velocities.

Jayhem

01-08-2010, 12:41 AM

I will say that my little 7mm-08 carbine rifle is not the best long range rifle but for most eastern US White Tail hunting it's perfect. For longer shots over open spaces...I'd stick with the 7mm diameter slug but opt for a 7mm Rem Mag Remington Model 700 to reach out and touch a deer at 300+ yards.

The older I get the more I realize that ACCURACY is far more important than take down power of a cartridge. When I do not subconsciously "fear" the comming recoil of a shot, I am a much better shooter. Low recoil rounds like the 7mm-08 allow me to shoot well. I took 2 deer with the 7-08 this year. both were offhand shots in the woods at ranges of 60 and 80 yards. One neck shot, one heart shot, both bullets landing exactly where I intended. I didn't have this kind of consistency shooting high recoil rounds like the .270 and 30/06.

hornsurgeon

01-08-2010, 12:50 AM

ive taken deer with the 243, 25-06, 7-08, and the 9.3x57. the 7-08 was a rem mtn rifle and iwth varget and 140 sierras it would hold 3/4" 5 shot groups. 243 was a little small of a bullet for me. the 9.3 with the speer 270 did the bang/flop. but my favorite is my 25-06 that i built myself on a mauser. 1/2" groups with the 110 AB and laser flat shooting.

i hope to have a new favorite for this fall, as i am building a 280 AI on a mauser as we speek. i also will be trying out my marlin 1895 45/70 with cast as well. or perhaps i will take my 9.3x57 with cast when i get my GB mold! :)

S.R.Custom

01-08-2010, 02:29 AM

...The older I get the more I realize that ACCURACY is far more important than take down power of a cartridge....

Indeed... I've taken deer with the .308, the .358 Winchester a couple of times, and a .44M handgun a few times, but I have to say my favorite deer hunt was with the .223 Remington. That 55 grain varmint bullet right behind the ear put the lights out quicker than anything I've seen, field dressing was clean and neat, and there was zero meat damage. I can't wait for next season to do it again!

Bullshop

01-08-2010, 02:31 AM

When i lived where they had those cute little things my favorite combo for deer was a Marlin 44 mag.
All them other milsurp cartridges and others with similar performance ruin too much meat.
The 44 mag carbine ruins nothing and lacks nothing in power.
I once shot a 4x4 WT buck coming straight at me at a range of maybe 50 yards. The load was Elmers favorite 250 Keith with 21gn 2400. The WW boolit was found under the hide on the rump and weighed 180gn.
The Marlin was my fishing companion when I lived in timber camps in South East Alaska.
My working load for bear protection has the 310 gn Lee going 1700 fps.
Them little carbines are a hand full of firepower holding 10 rounds in the mag tube.
BIC/BS

Lloyd Smale

01-08-2010, 08:22 AM

as much as i love the 4570 id have to say my favorite all time whitetail hunting round is the 250 3000 ive killed more deer with the 250 then all the other guns i have combined.

bradh

01-08-2010, 09:58 AM

bradh

01-08-2010, 09:59 AM

I might add the 03A3 has a military 2 groove barrel and I have killed analope at over 400
yards....

Jayhem

01-08-2010, 10:15 AM

I can't believe no one has said 30-06. Since 1979 I have used my 1903A3 with 3-10X scope
for everything. 150gr bullet at just under 3000fps. It has killed everything I have aimed it at.
Large bullet selection and ammo is available everywhere across the counter. I won't select
it for the very large bears but everything under that in North America the 30-06 will get the
job done...period!

I felt such common calibers like that were a given. Personally I like using less common calibers and from the posts in this thread...most people on this board agree! :razz:

DrNick

01-08-2010, 10:50 AM

I tend to gravitate towards my .444 Marlin. Yup...it's a 200 yard cartirdge but 80 yards is a longs shot in the brush I hunt. It doesn't hurt that the bullet starts off the same diameter or bigger than the fully expanded bullets of some other chamberings out there. It's got plenty of smackdown and it does nice double duty on black bear and moose so long as you respect it's yardage limitations.

I've never had to follow anything I've shot with it very far....

mooman76

01-08-2010, 10:57 AM

Mine is 30.6. It can take anything in North America and my first big gun. Actually it's the only thing I have ever hunted big game with. Not because I don't like or think the other calibers are up to it. It's all I had at the time that could do the job.

SPRINGFIELDM141972

01-08-2010, 12:18 PM

Another vote for the fabled 30-06. My choice is based on the fact that this round has the widest array of available boolit weights. The 30-06 is just one more example what an American can create when he has his mind right.

Regards,
Everett

SCHUETZENBOOMER

01-08-2010, 12:25 PM

.250GP (my own creation and 2nd from the left) ) because it electrocute's 'em.

The .35 Whelen.....because I love the big bores.

Sorry about the full frontal J-nudity!

01-08-2010, 01:13 PM

6.5 x 55, My only complaint is that it's not a short action and I have to move my nose out of the way to throw the bolt. The old swedes just plain shoot, they're not particular about powder, primers or bullets, and they seem to kill stuff out of all proportion to the bullet diameter and velocity. Second favorite is the .44 mag in a handgun for mostly the same reasons.
BD

runfiverun

01-08-2010, 01:47 PM

i went the 7x57 route but went with the ackley version.
a 139 horn i-lock at 2850 just shoots accurate and doesn't mess up any meat. it also will penetrate the shoulders of a full grown elk.
it don't take a premium bullet to do it. yeah i can go faster but the accuracy drops off and the bullet don't perform as well.
with cast i think 30 is the minimum size that should be used on deer.and bigger is better.
i like the 44 and 45 in my leverguns for the same reason.

nekshot

01-08-2010, 03:20 PM

Nice and handy

18663

44mag1

01-08-2010, 03:26 PM

7mm-08 for me, Ive used it for prairie dogs to bull elk.

Ben

01-08-2010, 03:27 PM

I'm a big .35 cal. fan. I hunt a lot with my Weatherby Vanguard in 358 Win. shooting the Lyman 358318 HP. My shots on deer are between 20 and 100 yards most of the time.

Ben

StrawHat

01-08-2010, 03:38 PM

I can't believe no one has said 30-06. Since 1979 I have used my 1903A3 with 3-10X scope
for everything. 150gr bullet at just under 3000fps. It has killed everything I have aimed it at.
Large bullet selection and ammo is available everywhere across the counter. I won't select
it for the very large bears but everything under that in North America the 30-06 will get the
job done...period!

Same could be said about the 45-70 (except it would be acceptable for large bears. My current favorite, the 50-70 is not available over the counter but suitable for all game in North America and most game elsewhere.

If I get away from military cartridges I have used the 405 WCF with good results.

DLCTEX

01-08-2010, 08:20 PM

My favorite deer round is 257 Weatherby. Our hunting is generally done at agricultural fields and the older deer have learned to run from cover and not stop until far in the fields. The 257 Wby. with a 100 gr. Hornady Interlock and 7828SSC powder leaves the 26" barrel at 3600 fps and makes good hits to 440 yds. possible. For the younger and dumber ones that start eating at the edge of the field I like 222, 223, 22-250, 243, and for cast, 30-30. We have a large number of doe tags and try to fill them all. We filled all 50 so far and have until dark on the 16 th. to fill however many more the game warden brought. I hope to take one with a 480 Ruger and my Ruger Old Army pistols, but it's too cold for me at present but should be into the 40's Sunday. The 2 bucks I have taken this year weighed about 200 lbs. ea. and both were shot a litle high (They were 75 and 150 yds and I sight in 4" high at 100) and the 257 turned both lungs to jelly. One was DRT and the other went 25 yds. In case anyone thinks 440yds. is too far to shoot, I shoot lots of prarie dogs at even longer range and am very comfortable shooting deer from a rest. Took a doe at 507 yds (lasered) last season to show my grandson-in-law he had no excuse for the missing he had been doing at close range. Oh yeah, want to take one with 45-70 and 340 RD cast too. Have some people wanting meat.

RMc

01-08-2010, 09:02 PM

Over the years, I have hunted deer with center fire rifles in .30-30, .270 Win, and .375 H&H. I have used .50 round ball to 410 Buffalo in M/L rifles and .45 acp, .357 and .44 mag sidearms.

However, my go-to load since returning to ground hunting and dog drives in the Deep South has been the Dixie Tri-Ball 3" buckshot round (3 x .60 @ 1050 fps).
I've even been known to stuff a .690 patched round ball over 100gr of FFg in my New Englander for M/L season. There is a certain something about thick cover hunting with a Big Smoothbore that appeals to me.

Ed Barrett

01-08-2010, 10:11 PM

Whatever I have in my hand that day is my favorite. Unless I get a new gun I want to break in, I go through safe and give different one a day in the woods. I have a Savage 1899 made in 1920 in .303 that keeps calling to me to go after another deer. I probably use that and a Puma lever in .454 casull more than any others.

2ndAmendmentNut

01-08-2010, 10:44 PM

22-250. Proper bullet selection and shot placement are key. Can drive tacks, and shoots like a laser beam. Deer buckle as though a bolt of lighting hit them. Little meat and hide damage.

Kraschenbirn

01-08-2010, 11:09 PM

Haven't hunted deer in many, many years but, but back then, I only owned two rifles...a Marlin 336 in .35 Rem and a Win. M70 (pre-64) in .270 Win. Which of the two I carried depended only upon the type of cover in which I was hunting on a particular day. Today, I'd probably go with my .45-70 Trapdoor carbine for timber/brush or a .308 Win for more open terrain.

Bill

trk

01-08-2010, 11:18 PM

What is MY favorite? Certainly NOT the 1964 MGB that I got the last one with (at 55mph).

lwknight

01-08-2010, 11:24 PM

I would have to go with the 30-06. Ammo available wherever any any exists.
The 243 seems to be a bit light No need for a 270 when I alraedy have a 30-06.
30-30 does not have the range required in central TX where 300 yards is an average shot in some areas. 300 win mag is a step up but seems overkill for deer.
308 would be just fine but, I already have a 30-06 Ruger M77.

wistlepig1

01-09-2010, 12:24 AM

I like my 270, has worked well for me on Muleys and Elk with Nozler Partitions 150 grs.:Fire:

Frank46

01-09-2010, 12:31 AM

When I used to hunt and my record is unblemished, I carried at one time or another
pre '64 mod 70 30-06, marlin 444, ruger 77 308, and the ultimate jungle carbine in 303 brit of course. My last deer rifle is a sako 75 hunter in 30-06. Frank

dukenukum

01-10-2010, 03:27 PM

1903 A3 30-06 with 2.5 to 5 Balvar scope ( the one with the adjustments in the base) Lyman 308329 cast boolit. What I use the most 12 gauge lee key drive slug in a Ithaca model 37 smooth bore barrel or NEF pardner with rifled barrel. :castmine:

HangFireW8

01-30-2010, 12:06 AM

I tend to gravitate towards my .444 Marlin. Yup...it's a 200 yard cartirdge but 80 yards is a longs shot in the brush I hunt.

I have to concur. I own all sorts of fancy bottleneck cartridges, but the 444 is the only one that has never let me down. I shoot a deer, it goes flop. For the woods, it is my go-to gun.

-HF

snake river marksman

01-30-2010, 12:33 AM

250 savage hands down. Next would be my 308. Since moving to Wyoming I've sort of "specialized" in antelope hunting and I'm still using my Stevens 200 with the Adams and Bennet 250 savage barrel on it. If I do my part, the cartridge will do it's part.

Longrange

01-30-2010, 02:03 AM

My M77 in 30-06 has done more than any other rifle I own. From wood chucks to elk and bear, it seems to do it all.

nicholst55

01-30-2010, 09:15 AM

I used to shoot a .308 for Texas whitetails, and it killed everything I ever shot at with it. Well, except for this once... anyway. Now I use my .35 Whelen in the Laurel highlands in PA, and my .257 Roberts in rifle areas in Maryland. I've also got a .257 Wby that I'm dying to take deer hunting in open country.

I gave the .308 to my oldest son, and he's been using it to fill his deer tags the last several years.

ebg3

01-30-2010, 10:30 AM

My favorite, hands down, is my 300 RUM. I'm using a 168gr Combined Tech Ballistic Silver Tip with 101grs RL 25 powder for a MV of 3600fps. With a 300yd zero, I'm 7" low at 400, 18" low at 500 and 32" low at 600 yards. With the brake, the gun recoils about like a light .270 it is just loud. I always wear plugs so it is not a problem.
EG

winelover

01-30-2010, 10:35 AM

For close shots in heavy cover, i choose my Marlin 1894 SS carbine in 44 Mag with RNFP cast boolits. For long shots in sparse cover I prefer my Ruger M77 in 270W with j-words. Took a deer with both this season.

Winelover

Slow Elk 45/70

01-30-2010, 12:23 PM

I have used 243,25/06, 300win,30/06, muzzle loader 50 cal.....that was years ago, for the last 20 or so years I have gravitated to the lever actions in 30/30, 44mag, 45/70.....My favorite....the one in my hands when I see the deer I want....:castmine:

gds

01-30-2010, 01:42 PM

.308 is my preferred. but I am putting together a .300 whisper AR upper. If it works out half as good as I have read. It may become My new favorite.

Down South

01-30-2010, 02:48 PM

7MM STW in a Ruger No. 1. Bought the rifle new years ago and had it rechambered right after I bought it. It was originally a 7MM Mag but never shot it in that caliber. I mostly bow hunt these days but the Ruger was what I used for years. A coupe years ago I bought a 45-70 and I used it till this year. This year my deer gun was an S&W 629 44 mag.

10 ga

01-30-2010, 08:38 PM

Killed my first deer in 1963 with 12 ga dbl. bbl. shooting 2&3/4" O buck. Done in a WHOLE lot since then. Only killed one with a CF and that was a 30-06 M1 Garand match grade. It belonged to my roommate at VaTech back in "72". My favorite is my Ithaca 10 ga automag, with let out cone and custom Carlson choke. B-Square saddlemount with a 42mm red dot on top, shooting handload HARD OOO buck. She is NASTY killin machine. Here in Eastern VA rifles are pretty much prohibited but the new exception is the muzzleloaders. Shot hammerguns, then got a Firehawk and she was favored until I got my Savage ML II. She too is wicked bad. Under MOA. Load is 42 gr. 4759, CCI 209 ignition, .458 300 gr Barnes in a orange sabot. Shoots "dead on" to 250 yd and -9" at 300. Three years later and the possum polices still think someone is shooting a 7 mag back in the woods. I just chuckle and go on my way while they look for somebody with a "high powered" rifle. My favorite when hunting with hounds season opens is just the ole 870 with a patternmaster and Federal 3" OOO Premiums. Kind of a different take but what the heck. It's all about FREEDOM! Best of luck to all,
10 ga

bob208

01-30-2010, 09:24 PM

my first deer rifle was a cut down .303 brit. enfield. but the 2 i like the most is the .30-30 with a 24" barrel. and .30-40 krag. i have used in a 99 carbine and a 95 winchester.

Gee_Wizz01

01-30-2010, 10:10 PM

Over the years I have used .222, .243, .257 Roberts, .308, 30-06 and 45-70. My favorite is the 30-06. The 30-06 is my idea of a great all around rifle. Where I grew up and hunt, shots range from 25yds to over 400yds and the game varies from coyotes to very large hogs and the 30-06 is a perfect fit.

G

snake jenkins

01-31-2010, 03:12 PM

I have killed deer with the following: .243, .25-06, 6.5x55, .280, .280AI, .30-30, .308, .30-06, .44 mag, and the .45-70
However my all time favorite rifles and calibers to shoot are both custom Ruger number ones one in 6.5x55 and the other in .280 Ackley Improved. Of the two the .280 AI is my go to rifle/round. A 140 grn Barnes triple shock at 3227 fps hits like the hammer of Thor

joey02g

01-31-2010, 06:00 PM

.270, my first buck fell to a 45lc from a S&W

R.C. Hatter

01-31-2010, 06:20 PM

:coffeecom While I've taken deer with the .280 Rem., 1903-A3 .30/06, Ruger .30/06,
and the Marlin .45/70, my favorite cartridge is the .35 Whelen in an old Model 77 Ruger
with tang safety. I have taken 71 head with my old Ruger and I'm very confident in
the use of it with my load of 53.5 gr #4064 under a 225 gr. Nosler Partition. Shot
placement is important and I will NOT shoot at the traditional spot behind the foreleg,
as I do not wish to do a tracking job. I much prefer a head or neck shot as they drop in their tracks and stay there, with no waste of meat.

testhop

01-31-2010, 08:00 PM

i have killed deer with 270. 3 3006s 358 now the 7-08
as i got older i figgerd out you carry a rifle more than you shoot it so i got a light one .
a winchester mod 70 just in time to also to find those mountans are growing higher each year. so i guess it will be retired along with me .
but at lease it killed every thing i pointed at

BlueNorther

03-25-2010, 05:54 PM

My go to rifle for years was a Win. mod. 70 in 7mm mag. Killed elk, moose, white tails and mule deer, sheep and bears with it. I retired it two years ago and picked up a Win. mod. 70 Classic in 338. Killed three white tails with it last year. Just picked up a Marlin 1895GS and am really hoping to score with it this year.

Dale53

03-25-2010, 06:15 PM

My deer cartridge is the .44 Magnum in a revolver (nice weather I use my S&W model 29 8 3/8" and bad weather I use my Ruger Red Hawk). I am certain to 125 yards from field positions and all of my hunting has taken place in the woods.

The .44 Magnum with a 250 gr Keith bullet (Lyman 429421 or in recent years the H&G #503) ahead of 24.0 grs of H110 will shoot through a large whitetail deer end for end. It also puts a 3/4" hole from stem to stern. If the shooter does his part the cartridge certainly does it's part.

Dale53

Greenhorn44

03-25-2010, 09:23 PM

270 in 130 grain, I max load with ballistic tip. It shoots flat fast, and is very accurate. and if you get stuck in the middle of nowhere any wal-mart is gonna have um.

Lead Fred

03-25-2010, 10:24 PM

45-70 300gr Barnes HP.

They dont wibble

They dont wabble

They just fall down

Von Gruff

03-25-2010, 10:57 PM

I just cant see past the 7x57 for deer sized animals now. I used a 7x61 S&H for years but the 7x57 can do all I will ever need in a deer rifle.
I have aperture sight and softnosed cast bullet for out to 200yds and a scope in day pack with 120gn GS customs at 3237fps for anything out further. I have yet to need the GS bullet as the softnosed cast at 2415fps just plain does the job.
Have used the 303, 30-06, 25-06, 44mag, and seen a few others used but you couldn't convince me away from the 7x57 now or ever.

This is cast softnose at 2415fps. Still doing 1784fps at 250 yds.

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/006.jpg

Von Gruff.

waksupi

03-26-2010, 01:24 AM

I would suggest, considering the focus of this board, that rifles for CAST may have been intended, rather than full length gas check bullets.

357maximum

03-26-2010, 03:08 AM

What is your favorite deer hunting cartridge and why?

Depends, and no I am not talking about Ric's favorite underwear.:groner:

When I am in Michigan's southern(pistol/shotgun/Muzzleloader) zone my favorite deer rifle is my 15in custom encore "pistol" in 357max. I shoot 180 grain cast Brp 35-180 pistol boolit or any other flatnose cast 180 @ 2100+ with it and it has never failed me. This year I also carried the .50 underhammer along with it...as it needed bloodied...mission accomplished.:-)

When I am in Michigan's northern (rifle) zone I normally carry the cast flavor of the year. 35Whelen with the BRP 360-220(worked this year:-) ), 35 rem with a 360-220 or Rcbs 35-200, or the old winny turdy-turdy with a 311440 clone or other flatnosed chunk O' lead. This coming year I will likely be carrying my 308 spanish 93 peeped sporter with an annealed nosed 30-180 BRP sil.

I tend to play alot with the tool I will be using for deer that year...and it oftentimes is the newest addition to the herd...so to honestly answer the question.........................IT DEPENDS.

oldhickory

03-26-2010, 09:14 AM

As of the past 20 or so years, it's been a Winchester M70 FWT in .308Winchester and wears a Burris 4-12X Mini scope. Not that I have any particular love for the .308, but the package is just right. If it wouldn't be for these uncertain political times, it would become a .358Winchester very quickly.

BruceB

03-26-2010, 10:36 AM

In fifty-plus years of hunting, I had NEVER hunted deer until 2005. Then....

I made two trips to my brother's place in northern Alberta.

On those two trips, I fired a total of two rounds from my .338 Savage at game.

I killed two deer with those two rounds.

Ergo, my "favorite" deer cartridge seems to be the .338 Winchester Magnum! (There were elk in the area as well, and I had an elk tag in my pocket....hence the .338.)

44fanatic

03-26-2010, 11:03 AM

30-06. I like the versatility of it, best "all around" caliber ever made. It may not be the perfect caliber for the conditions, but it will get the job done under most of the conditions a hunter will run into.

That, and I have never shot a deer, elk, or antelope with anything else except my first mule deer with a 30-30.

bigdog454

03-26-2010, 12:07 PM

Ohio says only, Shotgun, handgun ,357 or larger, or muzzle loader .38 or larger. So I guess my favorite rifle would be .50 cal muzzle loader. Can't complain though, we took 6 deer with muzzle loader, using .45 300 gr. pure lead soft sabots.

Greenhorn44

04-15-2010, 12:30 AM

Anything bigger than a .270 and your just butchering your kill. It makes more damage than needed. To the deer, and to the pocket.

clodhopper

04-15-2010, 12:50 AM

35 whelen, I have killed deer with a variety of cartridges. With the 35 tracking is not required.
Have shot some with small high velocity bullets one memorable 5 point whitetail buck decided he was not dead yet. After several attempts to gore me, one of which he carried me around on his rack. I finally got him killed.
In my area you could meet a grizzly, moose or a plain ole elk, I'm real happy carring a whelen.

waksupi

04-15-2010, 01:19 AM

Anything bigger than a .270 and your just butchering your kill. It makes more damage than needed. To the deer, and to the pocket.

You must still be shooting those full length gas checked bullets! :veryconfu

Tazman1602

04-15-2010, 07:00 AM

BEEEEEPPPP! Wrong answer. You can use .458 cast all day long at around 1200 FPS and it won't do any more damage than a .270 IF that much............

Art

Anything bigger than a .270 and your just butchering your kill. It makes more damage than needed. To the deer, and to the pocket.

**oneshot**

04-15-2010, 08:07 AM

I'm a 308 fan. In recent years I've started hunting with my 41mag pistol. Aside from having to pass on longer shots, it has reinvented the wheel for me.

gnoahhh

04-15-2010, 09:13 AM

I've been killing deer since 1968, using a wider variety of calibers than a lot of small gun shops have on their shelves. I'm firmly of the opinion that every centerfire rifle cartridge will do the job, in the right hands, under the right conditions. Favorites over the years include the 6.5x55 Win M70 Fwt, various .30/06's, 270's, .35 Rem., .257 Roberts, .243, .22 Savage HiPower, etc. Recent years have seen me come full circle back to the .30/30-class of cartridges as my favorites for Eastern Whitetails. I load a 190gr. FN bullet, BHN 13, to about 1900 fps in both my Savage 1899H .303 Savage, and in my Savage 99A .30/30. Outstanding accuracy + performance (equal on both counts to factory Silvertip loads). The fact that those two rifles are about the handiest things I ever carried (no scopes on either, tang sights only) doesn't hurt any also!

Von Gruff

04-15-2010, 06:52 PM

Anything bigger than a .270 and your just butchering your kill. It makes more damage than needed. To the deer, and to the pocket.

Dont mean any disrespect but this post is typical of those that do not take bullet construction, velocity, range, and a bunch of other criteria into consideration when making statements of preference.

I have taken small deer sized animals with a 404 Jeffery loaded with cast 350gn Gc at 2365fps and done as little damage as my 7x57 with cast 160gn softnose at 2415fps or indeed with a 150gn Corelokt, 139gn SST, and many other types and sizes over the years.

Bullet choice is as important as caliber and velocity. Any jacketed bullet designed for the standard calibers at velocity of 2700fps +- 200fps is a destructive design when driven to 3200 or more. Hence the introduction of the likes of the Sirocco and thier like for the faster impacts.

Von Gruff.