Best All Around Caliber for Whitetail and Mule Deer?

[billflangjr813]

Looking for thoughts on what caliber you guys would pick as the most versatile caliber for western whitetail and mule deer in factory offerings?

Thanks,
Mike

2506

 

[Rotten]

Sorry I didn't go through all the posts. Here is my answer
1- How much recoil do you like. Some people are dumb and like punishing themselves.
2- what is the terrain and how far are you capable of hitting a 8" plate with just say with around 1000 ft lbs +-
3- how much money do you want to spend on ammo to practice with that caliber.
Meaning how deep are your pockets?
4- does that caliber comply with state regulations? Sorry that probably should be 1st.
And along with it does it matter to you how cool or or ecsenteric you are, like black powder 38-55 , 45-70, 44-40 ECT. Or do you just want to get the job done. If so any of the posts choices above will do if you like them. Deer are not that hard to kill pouches have been using 22lr for a very long time. Pick your poison and have fun.

 

[pavementends]

For deer, both kinds, it would be easier to list what doesn't work. For years my #1S Ruger 300 win mag was death on anything I pointed it at. Deer, black birds, ground hogs etc. I do admit the main reason I bought it was pretty wood. Today it is hard to beat one of the 6 or 6.5's. Good bullets, range finders and great barrels.

 

[ObiJohn]

I wish I could go back to the 70s. The world was a simpler place. I had it made and didn't know it. Nothing wrong with the rifles from that time either. But the bullets have gotten better.

Yep... I think we have more choices that are optimized for specific scenarios, but it's like the proliferation of gap wedges in golf... how many choices do we actually need?

Is there anything that can't be done with the .30-'06? Some of the newer cartridges shoot a little flatter, some hit a little harder, some recoil a little less. We are spoiled with choices. To me, the advent of inexpensive laser rangefinders and MOA/mil-dot reticles are the big advances... that and more accurate factory rifles due to better manufacturing technology.

I have way more centerfire rifles than I need, but my father's pre-64 M70 standard rifle in '06 really IS good enough. I sent it to Kleinguenther's in the early 1980s for their guaranteed MOA accuracy tuning (action bedding, barrel free-floating and re-crowning). With the factory barrel and Federal Premium 165 gr Sierra Game King boat tail soft points it shoots under 1" at 100 yards. If I do my part it will work on any deer out to 700 yards minimum.

 

[Turpentine21]

Absolutely, today there are far more choices to extend point blank range which is a good thing if you don't have a rangefinder and can't dial. Rangefinders, better bullets, and reticles have even made the slower cartridges far more useful.
But is there a best cartridge out there with all the choices we have. I seriously doubt it.

 

[bearhtr2]

I really wanted to go to the .338's…..but figured it would not receive a warm welcome! memtb

I use a 340 weatherby for my bear elk gun...

 

[memtb]

I use a 340 weatherby for my bear elk gun...

Nice cartridge! I tried to talk my wife into something along those lines….but, she's convinced that her .338 WM is all she'll ever need! It's her "all around" cartridge.

Some people are so set in their ways! memtb