Best short range deer caliber?

[Sam1911]

I wonder if the OP figured out his answer? Hope so, since he asked back in febuary...of the year before!

 

[CraigC]

I wonder if the OP figured out his answer? Hope so, since he asked back in febuary...of the year before!

I don't know, some folks like to think about stuff......for a long time. For example, I still don't have that 16" Rossi.

 

[redneck]

I can say that I personally didn't care for the .357 mag for deer. Been there did that....didn't like it.

another thing that I can add is the fact that if you have a small acreage to hunt on...it is really nice to have a very SHORT blood trail.
It's not much fun to track your trophy buck off your property and onto your neighbors.

I say use enough gun....for a number of reasons.

That is a good point. I am trying to find a balance between horsepower and precision. My mossberg doesn't fit me at all, if I wrap my thumb over the stock I get a jab in the nose half the time, tried putting a scope on one year thinking I could hold my head a little higher and that was even worse. Combine that with $3 a round ammo and I don't ever practice with it. I can shoot respectable groups with it but I will never be as confident with it as the rifles I own. I could modify the stock or buy a different slug gun, but I figure if I'm going to buy a gun I should get one I can afford to shoot.

I'm a little skeptical of going all the way down to a .357, but I'm thinking if I find a gun I like in a caliber I can afford, I will be able to shoot it alot better, and giving up a little power won't be such a big deal. I'm still in the research stage at this point, looking at what guns are available and what ammo costs are.

 

[T.R.]

30-30 is a good killer for game much larger than typical deer. This fine animal was taken at approx 80 yards.

TR

 

[red rick]

Savage 220 rifled slug gun would be my choice . Second might be a Marlin or Winchester 30-30 .

 

[Pilot]

30-30 is a good killer for game much larger than typical deer. This fine animal was taken at approx 80 yards.

TR

That is a damn nice deer! I am a PA .30-30 hunter also. Have used my Marlin 336 in PA for 25 years.

 

[Ttexastom]

I will give a vote for 444 marlin, deer, hog, black bear. 265 grain Hornady is my go all to bullet

 

[EIB0879]

I've shot a lot of deer with the 160 gr Leverevolution in 30-30. Most within 50 yards. They don't go far.

 

[Newtosavage]

30-30. Plenty of knock-down power inside 150 yards and usually the cheapest box of ammo on the shelves.

 

[Hookeye]

.35 remington 760/7600

 

[JRWhit]

Also no lever gun....

Not sure I can fathom a 75 yd less deer gun that doesn't include a lever. Especially in pistol cartridges.
Short range brush gun = lever w/ ghost ring peep sight.
Maybe a Rossi Circuit Judge 45 colt?

 

[The Bushmaster]

The venerable .30-30 Winchester Model 94. Of course.

 

[Hookeye]

Pops has a minty pre 64 Win 94 with very nice wood on it.
He loves it. Doubt he's shot a box through it since he bought it a decade ago.
I had a late 60's Win 94 and detested it.
My BB 94 in .307 win was cool, shot horribly........so went bye bye.
Had a Marlin 1894. Shot well. Still didn't like it.
Only lever gun I'm interested in, if it has a tolerable trigger, is a Savage 99 Featherweight (will wear high comb stock and recoil pad- not worried about keeping it original). Of course I want it in .300 Savage. Had a reg pre war 99 in that........was fun. Just want the next one set up for scope/hunting. Let a 50's era one go............trigger was horrible.

 

[Hanshi]

A lever action 30/30 is difficult to beat. Barring that, a .357 or a .44 - I like the 45/70 - make the most sense.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I have several rifles (.30-06 & .308), but my go to rifle is that Winchester 94 in .30 WCF circa 1949.

 

[Varminterror]

I know this one is almost 2yrs old, but I can say, if I lived in a world where 75yrds were really my limit, I wouldn't even carry a rifle. Just a 44mag revolver.

 

[JackSprat]

I know this one is almost 2yrs old, but I can say, if I lived in a world where 75yrds were really my limit, I wouldn't even carry a rifle. Just a 44mag revolver.

That don't work..Because by the time you say"Go ahead punk,Make my day" the deer is long gone.

 

[stoky]

I don't know, some folks like to think about stuff......for a long time. For example, I still don't have that 16" Rossi.

...............or do you want a Deerstalker?

 

[Skeet 25]

I have a Marlin 32 special , it was the first gun my father purchased when he was young. I shot my first deer with it , as did my son , and his son. It belongs to my grandson now but he has moved up to 7mm08. He is 15 now .