What caliber do you use for deer hunting?

[1SG USA Ret]

Well I tried a new round this year. A bolt action 25.06 using a 117 grain Hornady. No problem with stopping the deer but my son said it was too much bullet and caused a mess inside the deer. I have used a 35 Remington regularly with good success and have thought about using my .243 safe queen but it is too pretty and engraved. I also hunted with a 7mm-08 and a 300 Blackout. Would be interested in what caliber you use and do you have any significant spoilage with that caliber. All my shots are 100 to 200 yards, though I did get deer at 40 feet.

 

[ACC]

I hunt whitetail with a suppressed Ruger American in 300 BLK using 150g Winchester Deer Season XP. Longest shot I have on my property would be about 150 yards and it is plenty sufficient for that. Plus I do not have to worry about hearing damage or ear protection.

 

[edwea]

I hunt whitetail with a suppressed Ruger American in 300 BLK using 150g Winchester Deer Season XP. Longest shot I have on my property would be about 150 yards and it is plenty sufficient for that. Plus I do not have to worry about hearing damage or ear protection.

This is the same set up I used this year but I shot 110 gn Barnes. Once I started processing my own deer, I became very aware of the damage to meat caused by too much gun.

 

[yetti462]

My favorite is a 243 with 80 gr Barnes. Any rifle messes up some meat. We've used 300 bo up to 300wm.

 

[Hookeye]

I consider the neck or shoulders to be sacrificial.

Safe queen..........dinged mine up a little hunting this yr.

Add more next yr.

 

[w_ADAM_d88]

Go to = Savage .270win shooting 150gr power points.

Depending on scenery and weather:
300Blk
35Rem
12ga pump

 

[patience0830]

Used everything from bow to .308
Favorite is .243 w/85 gr game points.
Currently using 6.5 CM because my .243 has my thermal on it. Personal preference would be .17 HMR and headshots, but the DNR frowns on that.

 

[den57]

.35 Remington, 200 gr Hornady FTX
6.5 PRC, 143 gr. Hornady ELD-X

 

[duanewade]

My current favoriteis a .243 95 gr soft points try and do the heart or head shot and haven't lost one yet. Previous favorite was .44 mag from a pistol

 

[Dholcomb]

30-06 150gr

 

[Hookeye]

I took a .35 rem, 200gr Hornady factory.
And .308 win WW 150gr DXP.
No shots taken

 

[spencer rifle]

168 grain BTSP .308 handloads. Haven’t noticed and undue mess.

 

[Leadeye]

44 magnum in my Marlin 1894 for most. Sometimes when I'm feeling nostalgic later in the season I'll take one of the old lever guns out to hunt. Could be anything from 32-40 to 405 WCF.

 

[Tryin']

.308 with Hornady 150gr Interlock SP.

 

[JTKelly]

44 mag H&R. Once in a while I'll get out the Garand, 30-06

 

[fullmetaljesus]

For deer hunting I use my marlin lever action in 44mag. Hit a deer across the top of the heart. He ran maybe 50 feet and dropped. His insides were pretty clean considering being shot in the chest. Heart was 98% still intact just ripped the tubes off the top.

Watched a buddy shoot a deer with a 30.06 the deer dropped where it stood and field dressing was pretty easy work.

 

[Michigan Slim]

Bucks in two states with two different .270's. Son has my Pa's .270. He is a fan now too.
Daughter would go to war with her .243. She got a nice buck AGAIN this year.
.38-55
.45-70
.30-30
.44 mag, several!

A .25-06 is screaming a light bullet. It's going to scramble the egg when it hits. It's the nature of the beast.

 

[Cynical]

Well I tried a new round this year. A bolt action 25.06 using a 117 grain Hornady. No problem with stopping the deer but my son said it was too much bullet and caused a mess inside the deer. I have used a 35 Remington regularly with good success and have thought about using my .243 safe queen but it is too pretty and engraved. I also hunted with a 7mm-08 and a 300 Blackout. Would be interested in what caliber you use and do you have any significant spoilage with that caliber. All my shots are 100 to 200 yards, though I did get deer at 40 feet.

Don’t own a 25-06 but I’ve been interested in it for awhile now because of its versatility and velocity. Honestly, I’m partial to the .270 because I can shoot 90 grn. bullets up to 150 and being a Jack O’Conner fan it will take down North American game with the right bullet construction. Admittedly if I were hunting grizzly bears I would probably err on the side of caution with a .338 at a minimum. The 30-06 and .243 are are very capable. I think it’s kind of a preference and what you shoo well. If you are a retired 1SG, welcome to the show top. Army as well!

 

[brentlacy]

Son dropped a buck last week with 7.62x39 AR using Hornady black 123gr SST. It didn't make it 30 feet after a 100yd shot. Exploded the heart and a lung.

 

[wingrider1800]

Most of the time an Accumark 7mm Rem Mag. Sometimes a 243 or 25-06. I use the 7 mag because I happen to like the gun.