your favorite deer rifle/caliber?

[XD-40 Shooter]

For strictly deer hunting, I'd take a Remmy 700 in .308. But since I would want the capability to take bigger game, like Elk, I'd end up with a Remmy 700
in 30-06.

 

[ColeK]

The Truly Great deer calibers are:

.250-3000 Savage
.300 Savage
.257 Roberts
6.5x55 Swedish Mauser
7x57 Mauser
8x57 Mauser
.30-30 Winchester
.32 Winchester Special
.35 Remington

Some very good cartridges that enjoy very good reputations on deer are:

.25-06 Remington
.270 Winchester
.280 Remington
.30-06 Springfield

Some good cartridges that have good reputations on deer are:

.260 Remington
7-08 Remington
.308 Winchester

I'm fine with any of the above. The one in bold type I already own.
The one I use on any given day depends on how I feel, where I'm going, and I'll put 3 in the truck incase I change my mind.



The Ol’ man said, “Son, don’t brag to me about the long shot you made! Brag to me about how close you got!”

 

[41 magnum fan]

My favorite is the 45/70.I also like to hunt with the 257 Roberts and the 260 Remington.

 

[Mountie855]

With other options available, my favorite is my Marlin 16.5" 336 in 35 Rem.

Nostalgic in my old age, in the dense woods up here the 336 just feels right. In the open farm country I like my 308.

Now if I can find some time to hunt...

 

[preachnhunt]

Ruger M77 .270 3x9 leupold

 

[gvnwst]

probably the 7mm-08. just like that cartridge.

 

[Schleprok62]

For Deer?? my 7mm-08 is just great... But I also have a .280 Rem.

 

[32winspl]

I'm pretty well satisfied with .32 Win Spl

 

[Clipper]

Toss-up...My sentimental favorite is my dad's old 722 Remington .257 Roberts. But as for my own gun safe, It has to be my wife's Remington 141 pump in .35 rem.

 

[SwampWolf]

First choice: Savage 99 chambered in .358 Winchester. Second choice: Ruger 77 International chambered in .308 Winchester. Lot's of other choices too!

 

[bang_bang]

My favorite deer rifle would have to be my Steven Model 200 in 300 Win Mag. A powerhouse, and I usually don't have to track them.

 

[maynard93]

280 Rem.

 

[mattrobbins]

Some of you may think Im crazy but for deer I like my rem700 vssf .223. I have yet to track a deer more than 100 yards. I used a .243 one year and ruined a whole shoulder. With my.223 I don't lose any meat and it will drop them flat. Most of my shots have been 300 yards or less, but nothing under 150.

 

[NCsmitty]

I used a .243 one year and ruined a whole shoulder

Well mattrobbins, I would say that your choice of bullets leaves a bit to be desired. The 243 is quite a bit better cartridge for deer than the 223. You probably used a varmint designed bullet in the 243 and they will blood shoot a deer if taking a shoulder shot. With the proper bullet designed for larger game, clean kills are the norm with the 243. I am not a fan of the 223 for deer. They are even more susceptible to blowing up with the varmint loads. Now I don't know what bullet you are using in the 223, but would say the fact that you are shooting deer at longer range and/or taking neck shots are the reason you are successful with the 223. In some states, it's not legal to use a 223, nothing smaller than 243. I know a few use the 223 in Texas on their smaller deer and it's legal but I would rather have a 243 any day.

Welcome to THR mattrobbins, we do welcome your input.

NCsmitty

 

[brasskeeper]

Remington Model Seven 7mm-08

 

[mattrobbins]

NCsmitty I realize that a .223 is not legal in many states but it has done what I need it to do. My shots are not neck shots. I use a nozzler partition bullets for my .243 and .223. I am very confident in my bullet placement and range my gun is capable of. I would not use my .223 for larger game but for deer in Montana it is plenty.

Thanks for the welcome.

 

[jakk280rem]

Ruger M77MkII all weather in .260rem.

 

[ants]

I'm using the same Winchester Model 70 in .30-06 that I've used all my life. We've had it in the family since 1951.

 

[johnnymvp12]

My favorite Gun is my 300 savage

 

[BornAgainBullseye]

I prefer .30 caliber guns. I currently have a .308 that has not let me down yet. We are 10 for 10 right now. Behind the shoulder shots leave a mess that is easy to find. And if you have to track the amimal it would take Ray Charles to loose the blood trail. Never had one run more that 40 yards.

 

[zammyman]

Being from Minnesota, we're stuck on 30-06, and I still love it.

 

[ZeBool]

As i live and hunt in PA, I use a Marlin 336 chambered in .30-30. I love that gun. Granted the .30-30 isn't the distance performer .204 is, but when hunting Pa it's hard to find a shot much further than 120 yds, at which distance the .30-30 is more than deadly enough

 

[achildofthesky]

30-06 if there is any chance of longer shots
30-30 or 45-70 for 1-150 or less in a short lever gun

My compromise this year is a Rem 7600 carbine in 30-06... If I end up liking it alot it will become my main deer rifle, if not it will become a back up, spare or loaner rifle. There is no question of the accuracy even with the 18" barrel, it shoots better than I can...




Patty

 

[Heck]

My personal favorite deer gun is my Remington 7400 in .270. Have taken many deer over the years. I also really like my 700 in 7mm rem mag and my super black hawk in .44 mag.

 

[Walkalong]

.308