Recommend a caliber for deer

[1911Shooter]

I personally would stick with a 44 mag but that's me. Now that it's been a few years of them being legal in IN, I have gotten comfortable with it. I have hunted quite a few states for deer and only out west in the bare plains have I found it necessary for a long range shot. I like the up close and personal aspect of hunting too much to trade it in for longer shots. I guess what I'm saying is, use what you love to use cause that's part of the sport.

 

[singlesix]

Type of gun you want, level action, bolt, semi-auto or pump, may drive you cal. choice. As stated previously the lowly 30-30 has taken more than its fair share of deer. Any of the caliber can take deer. Back in Louisiana the big debate was what is the best bush bursting caliber, well see the video and I'll let you draw your own conclusion.

[video=youtube;Zd9y-VA1K8Q]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd9y-VA1K8Q[/video]

 

[swany11]

.30-06 + 150gr Core Lokts = a lot of meat in my freezer.

I love my 06, wouldnt trade for anything.

I'm with you. I don't know if it is simply a difference between the rifles themselves, but I can shoot much better with my 30-06 than my Dad's 308.

 

[MRP2003]

Everyone is suggesting good calibers. Consider the terrain that you will be hunting and if this rifle is only for deer. What is going to be your longest shot?

I have used 30-30, 308, & 300Mag for deer and all dropped on the first shot (back in PA). I hunt mainly woods but i have a nice opening that goes 200 yards. I would feel comfortable with my 308 and 300 but not with the 30-30. Before I get hammered that a 30-30 can reach out to 200 yards, I consider bullet drop and the drop of a 150gr bullet is big so if I am off a little, with the 30-30 the little becomes big vs the 300 or 308.

I have other rifles for coyotes and elk even though the 308 and 300 are good for elk.

 

[Mark 1911]

Am assuming you are talking about hunting in VA. Nothing wrong with your .357, that's a good caliber in a rifle for deer although I wouldn't use it for deer in a handgun. If you already own a .308, nothing wrong with that, just use a lighter bullet weight like 110 or 125 grain - that would be a good selection for deer.

 

[VN Vet]

My Nephew is the only hunter in the family. He uses a 357 lever action Marlin. Me. I still like my old 30-30 lever action Winchester, however that was in Kentucky. I don't think Indiana allows the 30-30.

 

[Hookeye]

IMHO a little different ups the cool factor.
I'd use a Contender Carbine in 7mmTCU (or something a little out of the ordinary like that).

 

[saleen4971]

the ruger american rifle is pretty light - 7 pounds w/o optics, and you get your choice of a few calibers

 

[LoriW]

the ruger american rifle is pretty light - 7 pounds w/o optics, and you get your choice of a few calibers

I have an American in 30-06. AWEsome gun and if IN ever approves it for deer then that'll probably be my go to.

 

[TaunTaun]

I think this is about like every other self defense argument out there. If the deer wants to protect themselves, it doesn't matter the caliber. The bigger worry is the split hoof. That has GOT to be a pain in the butt in a standard trigger well. If they can find one that they can get their hoof in, then they should learn to shoot with that. And I kind of think they are restricted to open carry, so size may not matter much...

A good training simulator like Deer Avenger might be good for them as well...

 

[kludge]

My suggestion... pick your rifle, then pick your caliber. Next, decide what else you might want to hunt with it, that will tell you if you want to lean smaller or larger than 7mm.

Bolt -- 7mm-08. There are lot's of worse calibers but none better.
260 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win, .308, 6.5x55, 7mm Mauser, .30-06

Lever -- .35 Rem, .358 Win, .30-30

 

[ghuns]

.25-06, Just to be different?

 

[kludge]

.25-05 was on my list, but I deleted it. As was the .25 WSSM. Good deer cartridges. Good for lots of other stuff too.
Likewise the .257 Roberts.

 

[6mm Shoot]

My deer rifle is a 358 Winchester. It is capable of taking deer out past 300 yards and they generally drop in there tracks with a proper placed bullet. Recoil is quite manageable. Well that was my round when I lived in Kentucky. Now it's the 358 Hoosier. Same round just .2" shorter to comply with Indiana hunting laws.

Nothing wrong with a 243, 260, or the 308. ALL will take deer past 300 yards, I just like the bigger bullets. They deliver more energy on target than there smaller brothers.

 

[met eng gun nut]

450 bushmaster if you don't like tracking game

 

[abuckle]

My brother in law uses in 30-06 and 308 in TN and gets all he needs every year. I have .357, but you have to hit the right spot or you will go looking for the prize.

 

[1988-4551]

308? 150 gr btsp with some 4321 behind it

 

[Airborne18th]

30.06 has killed everything that walks the earth past and present. You have good ammo availability and types. You can take it out west. Outside of the great bears any other animal in North America is in your sights. Recoil is reasonable.

 

[TaunTaun]

30.06 has killed everything that walks the earth past and present. You have good ammo availability and types. You can take it out west. Outside of the great bears any other animal in North America is in your sights. Recoil is reasonable.

Unless something has changed here recently, we can't use 30-06 for deer hunting anymore. It is considered "High powered" or some such crap. Nearest place to really use it for legal hunts is Northern Michigan. Don't know about Kentucky though.

 

[ghuns]

Unless something has changed here recently, we can't use 30-06 for deer hunting anymore.

If you get invited to the palatial Casa de Que, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, you can.