MuleRyder
Member
I've taken the majority of my whitetails with a Marlin 336 in .35 Rem that I bought new when I was 15.
Deer Calibers
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tactikel
Member
caliber: 6mm and .35
cartridge: .243 and 35 whelen.
cartridge: .243 and 35 whelen.
retrieverman
Member
The smallest I would/have used is a 223, and I have killed a few deer and hogs with 9.3x62 and 9.3x74r calibers. In my opinion, there is no such thing as overkill, and I don't see where any caliber is too large.
The 9.3's do less meat damage than a 223, 243, 270, 308, etc.
The 9.3's do less meat damage than a 223, 243, 270, 308, etc.
I've shot several deer with a .22-250, but missed a few, probably due to hitting a very small branch on the way. The .224, 55 grain bullets just don't cut it for deer hunting in our neck of the woods.
My Remington 700 wouldn't stabilize anything heavier, but so I used Nosler Zipedo, 55 grain solid-based bullets. They killed well, but I was uncomfortable with the cartridge for most Maine hunting conditions. Going back to the .30-06 was the answer and used it for the next 25+ years. That particular rifle has killed over 30 deer, in a state where a person can normally shoot only 1 per year. It's been the son's rifle for about 15 years, while I use a .270 Win.
My Remington 700 wouldn't stabilize anything heavier, but so I used Nosler Zipedo, 55 grain solid-based bullets. They killed well, but I was uncomfortable with the cartridge for most Maine hunting conditions. Going back to the .30-06 was the answer and used it for the next 25+ years. That particular rifle has killed over 30 deer, in a state where a person can normally shoot only 1 per year. It's been the son's rifle for about 15 years, while I use a .270 Win.
morcey2
Member
I'd use a 223 long before I'd use a 22-250 or 220 swift on the sole basis that they usually have a faster twist to stabilize heavier bullets more suitable for antelope and small deer. Unfortunately, we don't have anything resembling small deer out here.
Matt
How big a deer? How long is the maximum range? In southern AL and northern FL where a good sized deer is only about the size of a large dog and a long shot is under 100yds a centerfire .22 is plenty. Farther north or farther west where the deer are bigger, I'd take a bigger gun. Out West especially, where longer shots are reasonably expected and stiff winds are the norm, as well, ballistics start to matter more. The .22 CF just isn't going to cut it in those conditions. Up close it would probably still do the job fine but at longer ranges and in the wind, exterior ballistics are not it it's favor. Terminal ballistics are irrelevant if you miss. The availability of efficient hunting bullets would have me draw the line at 6.5mm if I though that 300yd+ shots over open terrain were likely. 6mm would be great if there were appropriate bullets available. I'd ideally hurl said bullet as fast as possible, not for terminal considerations, but rather for reduced wind drift and an increased chance of seeing terminal results.
Abel
Member
There are partition-style bullets for 223 that will kill whopper deer out to 200 yards.
allaroundhunter
Member
When out in the deer woods I either have these or Barnes TSX loaded up. Both are very potent and capable deer rounds.
1911 guy
Member
Given my druthers, I'd opt for the .243 as the low limit. Not that it's "barely adequate", but rather that it is a proven performer and there is nothing from .22LR on up to the .243 that can boast the same record on mediaum sized game.
On the high end, I'd stop when I got to the "fast .30's". Of course if I was hunting mountaintops in Colorado, I might feel differently.
On the high end, I'd stop when I got to the "fast .30's". Of course if I was hunting mountaintops in Colorado, I might feel differently.
boltgunner93
Member
.243 to 12 gauge
But if I were buying a new firearm where you are I'd take a look at the proposed legislation and choose within those parameters. I'm hoping that they're sensible, but hey this is politicians and lawyers we're talking about.
Good Hunting
But if I were buying a new firearm where you are I'd take a look at the proposed legislation and choose within those parameters. I'm hoping that they're sensible, but hey this is politicians and lawyers we're talking about.
Good Hunting
Levergunlover
Member
Just to add...
Only one other person has mentioned the .22-250, which is a perfectly adequate round if shots are well placed. I harvested my very first deer with my fathers restocked .22-250. He dropped it when he was in college and cracked the stock. Luckily winchester model 70's a common, but the only stock available was that of a much heavier .30-06. It was the perfect youth gun, heavy so it was easy to steady as an 11 year old.
In the years following it has been my pleasure to use .270 win, .243, .30-30 and .44 mag.
The largest, which was definitely overkill, but was what was on hand was a custom .338 Jarrett, gruesome wound channel, but a deer running off was never an issue.
Only one other person has mentioned the .22-250, which is a perfectly adequate round if shots are well placed. I harvested my very first deer with my fathers restocked .22-250. He dropped it when he was in college and cracked the stock. Luckily winchester model 70's a common, but the only stock available was that of a much heavier .30-06. It was the perfect youth gun, heavy so it was easy to steady as an 11 year old.
In the years following it has been my pleasure to use .270 win, .243, .30-30 and .44 mag.
The largest, which was definitely overkill, but was what was on hand was a custom .338 Jarrett, gruesome wound channel, but a deer running off was never an issue.
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JohnhenrySTL
Member
I use a .300 weatherby. I sometimes use my SKS, but on those days I always see the big buck at 400 yards, not kidding. I am wanting to get a .308 winchester, but in the mean time I would like to set up my .222 remington. I want to know how far I can actually for sure drop one quickly. I hate watching them suffer at all. I like knowing my bullets will easily do there part if I do my part. So I guess to answer the question, I would maybe use a .222 remington, and have used a .300 weatherby,
Caddisflied
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Around here, the .243 is about the smallest commonly used.
I've owned/hunted with a 243, but haven't actually taken deer with one myself.
(Helped drag out a few that buddies have shot with a 243 and also 6mm Rem).
The largest caliber I've used successfully was my 44 Mag.
(I knew a guy who hunted with a 458 Mag. But I don't know how much success he had with it.)
I've owned/hunted with a 243, but haven't actually taken deer with one myself.
(Helped drag out a few that buddies have shot with a 243 and also 6mm Rem).
The largest caliber I've used successfully was my 44 Mag.
(I knew a guy who hunted with a 458 Mag. But I don't know how much success he had with it.)
Archaic
Member
Well, caliber is a loaded term - its only a description of size. I don't think anybody would realistically consider a .30 carbine or .22 hornet adequate for deer but they are legal in a lot of states. I know of a lot of youth model single shots that are made in .223, while I myself would not buy one to hunt deer with, lots of deer are cleanly harvested with them (though I'm sure a lot aren't).
To me, a .243 is probably the low end of the deer spectrum. I'm not sure there is a high end, dad has taken a lot of deer with a 45-70, and obviously caliber is meaningless to somebody throwing slugs from a 12 gauge.
Every deer I've shot in the last 10 years has been with a 7mm-08, not one of them has made it 100 yards yet. Probably just jinxed myself.
To me, a .243 is probably the low end of the deer spectrum. I'm not sure there is a high end, dad has taken a lot of deer with a 45-70, and obviously caliber is meaningless to somebody throwing slugs from a 12 gauge.
Every deer I've shot in the last 10 years has been with a 7mm-08, not one of them has made it 100 yards yet. Probably just jinxed myself.
NYH1
Member
Here in New Yorkistan we can us any centerfire rifle, any centerfire pistol or revolver, any 20 ga. and larger shotgun with slugs only for big game. Semi auto firearms can only hold a a total of six rounds in magazine and chamber combined, the exception is any pistol with a barrel length under 8 inches.
My minimum would be the 6mm Rem. centerfire rifle, 357 Mag. centerfire pistol or revolver, 20 ga. and larger shotgun with slugs. My maximum is currently the 30-06 Spr. and 35 Rem. Anything larger would be up to the person using it. I've used the 444 Mar. in the past and will probably get a 45-70 Gov. some day. JMHO, YMMV.
NYH1!
My minimum would be the 6mm Rem. centerfire rifle, 357 Mag. centerfire pistol or revolver, 20 ga. and larger shotgun with slugs. My maximum is currently the 30-06 Spr. and 35 Rem. Anything larger would be up to the person using it. I've used the 444 Mar. in the past and will probably get a 45-70 Gov. some day. JMHO, YMMV.
NYH1!
that is why the DNR's of the country make laws about how much power is legal. some people do not use common sense. i was with my older cousin once about 40 years ago. we were small game hunting, and he decided to unleash the full power of his 22 semi-auto on a doe we spooked. he fired 10 rounds at it, and some of them hit. we chased that deer all the rest of the day, and never found it. it died, but who knows where or when. when we got home, i mentioned it to his dad, and he about blew up. he asked my cousin about it, and he admitted to it. his dad took the gun, and smashed it against the garage, breaking the stock in two. he then went inside the garage, and hammered it until the barrel was completely shut. needles to say, it was scrap. i think my cousin learned a lesson. he knew it was illegal, so did i. but i was just a kid. my dad chewed him a new hind hole as well, for putting me into an illegal spot. while a 22 will kill a deer, i would not recomend it unless it was a true survival situation, AND you were a very good shot. one to the brain at 20 yards should do one in quite fast. but in the body, it is not good.
now, to the original question, the smallest caliber i have shot a whitetail with is a 357 magnum. that did a decent job, it was shot at about 40 yards. what i normally use is a 300 winchester magnum. that is quick, clean and humane. if you are going by caliber, the largest is a 45/70. that was just as effective as the 300 win mag.
1stmarine
Member
x_wrench,
I applaud your comments. I hope this serves some goons out there to understand that hunting is a privilege and sacred still for many folks. We should be kind to the animals and the environment, show proper and responsible firearms ownership so the generations to come can still enjoy this privilege.
Lots of kids take this as a given but you must be involved in proper practices and land conversations efforts.
We know a 22LR can take a deer, lots of experience hunters know that but unless it was a true survival situation, why risk?
That Dad did the right thing. Someone learned a lesson.
I applaud your comments. I hope this serves some goons out there to understand that hunting is a privilege and sacred still for many folks. We should be kind to the animals and the environment, show proper and responsible firearms ownership so the generations to come can still enjoy this privilege.
Lots of kids take this as a given but you must be involved in proper practices and land conversations efforts.
We know a 22LR can take a deer, lots of experience hunters know that but unless it was a true survival situation, why risk?
That Dad did the right thing. Someone learned a lesson.
Great story of a child not versed in the use of a firearm, and having good judgement, but really doesn't prove that a .22 LR or .22 Mag is not a good choice for deer. I don't agree with the father's action either. It wasn't the gun's fault. It was the kids fault. Remember the saying that guns don't kill people, people kill people.
Would I use a .22 LR on a 250 lbs. deer? Well if legal, and I was tree rat hunting, and one came strolling by in deer season. Probably if the shot was 50 yards or less. .22 LR has been used in assignations to kill humans. What is the difference in a deer?
WLO in my state use .22 Magnums when killing deer in over populated areas. I guess they must be using those "special" .22 Magnum bullets not available to the public.
Would I use a .22 LR on a 250 lbs. deer? Well if legal, and I was tree rat hunting, and one came strolling by in deer season. Probably if the shot was 50 yards or less. .22 LR has been used in assignations to kill humans. What is the difference in a deer?
WLO in my state use .22 Magnums when killing deer in over populated areas. I guess they must be using those "special" .22 Magnum bullets not available to the public.
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tubeshooter
Contributing Member
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One thing about it - if you make it legal, there's absolutely no guarantee that people would follow anything resembling your self-imposed restrictions.
I also don't envision the .22 LR as a "good choice for deer", and didn't imagine anybody did. Obviously I am wrong about the second part.
GaryM
Member
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2004
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- 94
Here in Missouri...
I have used a .223 with much success over the years. I hunt in central Missouri where deer average somewhere around 140lbs. I understand up north the deer are bigger and do not know how the .223 would perform on a 250lbs deer.
So, I would say it depends on where you are but for where I am and what I shoot the .223 works quite well.
I have used a .223 with much success over the years. I hunt in central Missouri where deer average somewhere around 140lbs. I understand up north the deer are bigger and do not know how the .223 would perform on a 250lbs deer.
So, I would say it depends on where you are but for where I am and what I shoot the .223 works quite well.
jerkface11
Member
If you gutshoot them with a .338WM they will still run off. Shot placement is more important than caliber by a wide margin.
Having killed Axis deer with pretty much all the "standard" cartridges from the .22lr up to the .300 winchester. My personal minimum for general duty work would be a .243/250, or really heavy bulleted fast .22. The .223 has worked wonderfully for me, but it wouldnt be a round id want to rely on to put food on the table if shots got out to 300+ yds. top end i dont think it maters, when you get much over .30 cal you get into harder bullets that generally dont blow huge chunks out of deer size animals. So maximum would be your personal comfort limit.
GaryM, that is correct, and I meant to put 150 lbs. deer as we have smaller deer here in AR, but the same goes for a 250 lbs deer.
I have restrictions, and take the proper caliber allowed by law in my state. Pistol or revolver centerfire with a 4" barrel or longer. In some zones the restrictions are the same, but are limited to .40 caliber or larger for pistol and revolvers.
Rifles are centerfire rifles. This means .22 hornet, .223, on up.
I have used the .223 with excellent results using 55 grain soft points.
With limitations and good shots I have no issue with any hunter using what they are comfortable shooting. I would rather have a hunter shooting deer with a .22 LR that he can knock nickles off a board at 50 yards than have him shooting a 300 Win Mag that he can't hit the side of the barn. Which is more ethical? I an not trying to make this into WIB&W (which is better and why?) thread.
I follow the laws of my state. I cannot afford to give up my rights to carry which you loose for hunting illegally. That and the massive fines, and lose of your truck, car, boat, home, etc.
I also am proficient with rifles and handguns from .22 LR to .30-06. So I shoot calibers that are proven to kill deer with high percentages when a good shot is made.
I find it unethical to gut shoot deer because your scared of the rifle you are pressed/forced to use by law. A gut shot deer with a 300 Win Mag or 7mm Mag will die miles away from where shot, and after 4 to 5 minutes the deer has rolled and licked enough to keep the wound from bleeding until pressed to run. Which most hunters do. They think since they shot a massive gun and hit the deer that it is dead. To find out they that push the deer and loose the trail for reasons I have mentioned, and a wounded deer will find the most thick, dense, nasty thorn ridden area to hide.
So as I stated I would rather a person take a neck/head shot that they are comfortable making with a gun they are proficient with than shooting a gun they shoot three time a year if that, and wounding a deer. Your opinions may vary, and that is fine with me.
jerkface11 jumped in before my post with virtually the same thoughts as this post, but I am not speaking for him in regards to .22 LR.
I have restrictions, and take the proper caliber allowed by law in my state. Pistol or revolver centerfire with a 4" barrel or longer. In some zones the restrictions are the same, but are limited to .40 caliber or larger for pistol and revolvers.
Rifles are centerfire rifles. This means .22 hornet, .223, on up.
I have used the .223 with excellent results using 55 grain soft points.
With limitations and good shots I have no issue with any hunter using what they are comfortable shooting. I would rather have a hunter shooting deer with a .22 LR that he can knock nickles off a board at 50 yards than have him shooting a 300 Win Mag that he can't hit the side of the barn. Which is more ethical? I an not trying to make this into WIB&W (which is better and why?) thread.
I follow the laws of my state. I cannot afford to give up my rights to carry which you loose for hunting illegally. That and the massive fines, and lose of your truck, car, boat, home, etc.
I also am proficient with rifles and handguns from .22 LR to .30-06. So I shoot calibers that are proven to kill deer with high percentages when a good shot is made.
I find it unethical to gut shoot deer because your scared of the rifle you are pressed/forced to use by law. A gut shot deer with a 300 Win Mag or 7mm Mag will die miles away from where shot, and after 4 to 5 minutes the deer has rolled and licked enough to keep the wound from bleeding until pressed to run. Which most hunters do. They think since they shot a massive gun and hit the deer that it is dead. To find out they that push the deer and loose the trail for reasons I have mentioned, and a wounded deer will find the most thick, dense, nasty thorn ridden area to hide.
So as I stated I would rather a person take a neck/head shot that they are comfortable making with a gun they are proficient with than shooting a gun they shoot three time a year if that, and wounding a deer. Your opinions may vary, and that is fine with me.
jerkface11 jumped in before my post with virtually the same thoughts as this post, but I am not speaking for him in regards to .22 LR.
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