Best All Around Deer Caliber

[redblood]

308 or 7mm-08

Agree. short action- 5.5 to 6.6 pounds. perfect

 

[LenS]

7mm-08 or .25-06

 

[Remi]

Best, I can't answer that because whether we admit it or not when it comes to killing ability they're more alike than they are different.


Favorite for deer, pass me my .260 Remington

 

[Spurhunter]

For versatility and wide ranges of ammo 30.06 or .308. However, I decided some years back I enjoy shooting rifles with less recoil so I went to the 7mm-08 and 6.5cm. I still have a 30.06 that was my only deer rifle for almost 30 years and a lot of ammo for it, but it stays in the safe. The 7mm-08 and 6.5cm have half the recoil and I haven't noticed any performance loss hunting whitetails.

 

[cbhunter]

6.5 creedmoor, meet me at the Waffle House

They started serving bud light?

 

[gasman]

.22LR

 

[Carlos]

.308 IMO

 

[backyardtndeer]

A lot of very good deer rounds and some great bullet options these days. Hunted with a 270 for a long time, it was good. My wife and kids have killed a lot of deer with their 243's. In more recent years I have been killing deer with 308 and 6.5cm, very effective. May have been my handloaded eldx's playing a part. I think if I had to choose one though, it would probably be the 308. Everything I have shot with my handloaded 178 grain eldx have fallen in their tracks.

 

[7mm08]

The question IS …. What is the best bullet . At 2500-3000 fps in all of these mentioned, bullet choice is critical.

I like a 7mm08 , but just bought and plan to use a .35 REM from a Marlin 336 this fall.

BTW…. Years ago I got exposed to Hepatitis A from eating at a Waffle House in Clinton TN right off the interstate. It was all over the news about one of their workers. I used to go there A LOT after fishing the Clinch to get warmed up. I had to take two shots and had the RN's at the Anderson Co health clinic pop both arms at the same time!

 

[7mm08]

.22LR

With a big light???

 

[Split Brow]

.270 with 130 gr. nosler b.t. has been good to me!

 

[backyardtndeer]

The question IS …. What is the best bullet . At 2500-3000

I have been really impressed with eldx bullets in both .308 and 6.5. Enough so, that I bought enough in all the calibers I load for to last into my grandkids going hunting.

 

[gasman]

With a big light???

Check out my YouTube channel... Spotlight On Deer

 

[younggun308]

If we exclude Western hunting, which can require putting down animals at long distance with authority in nasty places, I'd say any standard action .30cal (except the .30-30, which limits effective range for most shooters even in the East). You don't have to think about shooting special bullets. It just works.

As my username has long heralded, the .308 Win. works great—I like a .60 cal exit wound, and a shot through the vitals with a plain (non-bonded) soft point bullet gives me just that. I also like the .30-06. It's great to be able to punch a shoulder quartering-toward with no hesitation, if needed.

But my dad has done good with 6.5-6.8mm cartridges (including the man bun). His bullet selection has to be a bit more deliberate, though.

If, by the grace of God, I get to do a DIY Western elk trip one day, I'd love to pick up a .300 Win Mag for the extra distance capability thanks to higher velocity.

 

[BSK]

I always find it strange how a particular gun will like one factory bullet while a different gun in similar size/speed likes something completely different. My 7mm-08 likes 139 grn Hornadys or 140 grn Remingtons. Yet my 308 performs much better with heavy bullets, especially the 180 grn Remingtons.

 

[timberjack86]

Check out my YouTube channel... Spotlight On Deer

Which one are you? Billie or wille?

 

[tellico4x4]

7mm STW!

Not too many of us STW fans around here. Nothing like pushing a 140gr bullet at 3400 fps

 

[ttf909]

308 165 or 168 gr

 

[Iglow]

Deer caliber? 308. Best all around centerfire? 243.

 

[SC Manimal]

7mm WSM and 300WM. Those 2 seem to make the drag out a little lighter.