Rflshootr
Well-Known Member
IMO the 3 easiest cartridges to get your hands on are 308 Win, 270 Win and 30-06 Springfield. The 30's have multiple choices in bullet weights off the shelf. I'd pick one of those.
Best All Around Caliber for Whitetail and Mule Deer?
- Thread starter bearhtr2
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In .30 caliber, the venerable .30-06 chambering is hard to beat. However, if you are going to be highly dependent on factory ammo, go to your local gun store and see what has the most offerings off the shelves.
johngibbs222
Well-Known Member
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- Jun 15, 2012
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Practice often, then practice a wee bit more. Don't shoot off of benches etc but try to use what you'd use when the buck of a lifetime shows up down range, my you might even not get buck fever.
When you've done that pick a 308 with one of the sako factory ammo offerings, there's no bs on the box it does what it says it does. For me it's the 9.7 gram powerblade copper bullet (150 grains).
It's not perfect or ultimate but the round will work on deer from 5 to 500 yards well enough, though my eyes say that's too far for me as I'm better suited to range under 300 or better yet under 200.
When you've done that pick a 308 with one of the sako factory ammo offerings, there's no bs on the box it does what it says it does. For me it's the 9.7 gram powerblade copper bullet (150 grains).
It's not perfect or ultimate but the round will work on deer from 5 to 500 yards well enough, though my eyes say that's too far for me as I'm better suited to range under 300 or better yet under 200.
HRM Johnny
Well-Known Member
7mm rem mag and 270,win aren't that far apart (imho) but 300 rum is quite a bit more. How did you come to those 3?
I think Feenix's answer is the best; assuming you are strictly factory ammo, and not going to order ammo to be shipped to you.
cjholler
Well-Known Member
7 PRC
bearhtr2
Well-Known Member
Just thoughts based on experience from people that use those three calibers. If they had to just pick one, which would it be? I reload so bullet selection and powder i have covered for most anything. My nephew and son in laws all are all planning on a hunt out west soon and I will be joining them for one last adventure.
HRM Johnny
Well-Known Member
Thank you for clarifying. One cartridge that I have not seen mentioned is 7 mm shooting times western. There are people who are seriously devoted to that cartridge. There are some on this forum. I believe seven shooting times Western has it's own section on this forum. Just a thought.
FireFlyFishing
Well-Known Member
Shot placement for the win!
AussieWriter
Well-Known Member
Which just goes to prove that cartridges are more alike than dissimilar in performance. Everything recommended will do fine.
The rifle you like that fits you well is more important.
For suitable deer cartridge choices, there is Walmart to demonstrate which are the more popular cartridges. (And calibers)
The rifle you like that fits you well is more important.
For suitable deer cartridge choices, there is Walmart to demonstrate which are the more popular cartridges. (And calibers)
My first years hunting out West was with a 6 Rem loaded with 95g Partitions at 3150, and big Nebraska corn fed white tails died quick. My closest shot was 300 yards.
Shots out West can be a lot longer than Eastern hunters typically see, and a flat shooting round will keep down the hits in the low brisket where deer run off and are lost as a rule.
While I am a big 7mm fan, today, I would start off with a round that has a BC of over .6, which puts the 6.5 caliber in the limelight. The 25 caliber is coming on real fast with its new fantastic BC Bullets that kill far beyond what anyone would imagine. The lighter 6.5 and 25 caliber rounds are easier to shoot due to less recoil.
I hope that the Hearing Protection Act will pass in the next Congress, making cans much more affordable where gun makers can sell their rifles in a package with a can, straight from the factory.
Shots out West can be a lot longer than Eastern hunters typically see, and a flat shooting round will keep down the hits in the low brisket where deer run off and are lost as a rule.
While I am a big 7mm fan, today, I would start off with a round that has a BC of over .6, which puts the 6.5 caliber in the limelight. The 25 caliber is coming on real fast with its new fantastic BC Bullets that kill far beyond what anyone would imagine. The lighter 6.5 and 25 caliber rounds are easier to shoot due to less recoil.
I hope that the Hearing Protection Act will pass in the next Congress, making cans much more affordable where gun makers can sell their rifles in a package with a can, straight from the factory.
Chranah
Active Member
My .02
If you're considering the 7mm Rem Mag, remember that the "older" rifles had a slower twist than the "newer" ones, limiting your bullet selection (which is how the 7 PRC guys are getting away with the hype). As a handloader, you probably already knew this. As a handloader, you probably know too, that the .284 cal bullets generally tend to have better BC than the .300 cal bullets, giving you that repeatability and peace-of-mind. I love my modern twist rate 7RM and don't see the need for a .300 cal cartridge. A 160-168 gr. bullet kills them just fine. Before switching to the 7RM I killed deer with a 300WSM. I haven't looked back. I love the 7RM.
Now, to answer your original question; I think the 6.5mm bullets are the perfect deer sized bullet. With that said, the good ol' 6mm (243 Win) has been killing deer for generations and, like the 7mm PRC bandwagon guys, I'm unashamedly on the 6mm ARC bandwagon and have used only that to hunt deer that past 2 years.
sjt18
Active Member
No longer available but I never had a deer go more than 10 yards or so when I hit it in the vitals with my 7mm WSM. Still not sure why it failed commercially other than uncomfortable recoil but the impact force from that gun is pretty amazing.
I guess my complete answer is that "the best" depends on your goals. When I bought that rifle 20 years ago, I told the gun dealer that I wasn't an amazing shot and didn't want to have to track deer. I wanted fast, flat, and impact energy. For many years I shot the Winchester Silver Tips.
I am hunting with a new CVA Cascade 270 this year but haven't shot yet. I'm planning to put a new stock on my old rifle and get it going again too now that I started hand loading.
I guess my complete answer is that "the best" depends on your goals. When I bought that rifle 20 years ago, I told the gun dealer that I wasn't an amazing shot and didn't want to have to track deer. I wanted fast, flat, and impact energy. For many years I shot the Winchester Silver Tips.
I am hunting with a new CVA Cascade 270 this year but haven't shot yet. I'm planning to put a new stock on my old rifle and get it going again too now that I started hand loading.
