Best All Around Deer Caliber

[Rakkin6]

I mean I wouldn't be against hunting with a magnum but I have always used a 30 caliber gun

I think for deer here in Tennessee or the SouthEast in general the .243 is a great round. But if I was to go up north where some of those deer look like ponies I want a little more a$$ behind it. But also remember my favorite caliber is a .300 Win Mag. Put me in the "there is no such thing has to dead crowd".

 

[rifle02]

Sir I have hunted deer for 48 years here in Tennessee killed over 200 deer even a B & C buck in 2000 with a Marlin 30 - 30 all where killed in the woods anywhere from 5 ft to 50 yards away ..

 

[rifle02]

Can't argue with results.

 

[rifle02]

Can't argue with results.

 

[M T Pockets 000]

I always loved hunting with a 35 Marlin until it was stolen. Of course back then I had a Waffle House Credit Card.
Scattered smothered&covered,two aigs over easy, and breakfast steak.

 

[Rakkin6]

6.5 creedmoor, meet me at the Waffle House

 

[double browtine]

.308 Win

 

[Deer Assassin]

7/08

 

[Willysman]

I shoot an old Remington 742 in 280 caliber that has served me well. But whatever you feel comfortable with is what you should shoot. Dead is dead whatever you use. But I still believe you can never go wrong with a 30-06. Tried and true for a long time.

 

[Texan11285]

I tote a .308, but dropped many a deer with my .243 before that.

 

[Stalkhunter]

Best caliber is what ever one you are comfortable with. I have shot many and the one I always go back to is my 30/06. 165 grains. Just my favorite

 

[SOUTHERN CHICK]

I'm going to say the 708 , I've hunted with mine for 39 years. I have 2 in the model 7 it's hard to break away from it . I love my 270,257 Roberts 6.5x 55 & for long range or bigger animals my go too it my 284 Win . Other than that it's all about shot placement

 

[Cannonball1]

I'm going to say .308, great deer cartridge and you can actually find ammo for it.

 

[TboneD]

I have a Marlin .35 Rem for the woods and a Savage 270 Win for if I gotta reach out there. So for me my "all around" deer rifle is my light and handy, 18" barrel Ruger Predator in 308 win.

 

[Crappieaddict]

I'm old school. 30-06.

 

[pk117ac23]

After reading all the responses… the majority vote goes to .308 Win.

I, too, hunt deer and other game with .308. Powerful enough for whitetail and bigger, able to put down game fast, able to reload faster 125gr for varmint and yotes, able to load 165+grain subsonics for quiet & close quarters hunting and land management.

The other larger (7mm, .270, 30-06) or flatter / faster cartridges are amazing (6.5cm), however best all around, hands down .308 Winchester.

 

[recurve60#]

Ive watched this thread go for a while on purpose. Some good and no bad info here, but in the end when stores dont have ammo, you'll still find random boxes of 308.
recurve out.

 

[FLTENNHUNTER1]

308

 

[tdt5446]

So many correct answers, just think, if we all thought alike we couldn't have these discussions!

 

[ROVERBOY]

I've killed them with.357 Magnum, .223, .30-30, .308, .30-06, and 8mm Mauser. They've all worked good. The .223 worked good with a lung shot.