Vote. Favorite caliber for whitetail deer

[Aoudad shooter1975]

About perfect for me was either a 25-06, 257 WBY, or my 6.5-284

 

[Greenheadjed]

264 Weatherby 140 Berger VLD

 

[CaptnC]

My latest build is on your list. It's only been to the range one time, but it shoots well...it made me feel like I knew what I was doing at 600yds.

I know for you cats here that is a simple chip shot...but this thing makes it too easy!

6.5-284

 

[graywolf]

I figured there would be a lot of 243's out there very interesting what everyone is shooting. Thank you

I like going back to my 243 for deer, out to 300 to 400 yds. Accurate little copper bullets going fast are very reliable in my experience.

 

[WildRose]

I was curious of what caliber is the favorite for white tail deer hunting. Thank you!

At what range?

At sub 600yds ranges in the open the 6.5's can't be beat. Beyond that I prefer the 7's and .30 cal's.

Up close in the brush I lean towards 12g slugs and the 45-70.

 

[Sneaky Apasum]

If the 7/08 can be beat for an all around deer cartridge, I don't know by what.

 

[MudRunner2005]

If the 7/08 can be beat for an all around deer cartridge, I don't know by what.

Just personal opinion...the 7mm RemMag.

But they're both awesome cartridges.

 

[26Reload]

I would like to throw my .02 but I have only taken one whitetail...with a 280ai....but I was hoping to kill one with my knight .50 Ultralite.......without the experience of many whitetail I would say..........................to be continued.......

 

[Sneaky Apasum]

Sure, and the STW is a step above that. I prefer the 7/08 for the majority of deer hunting because of its milder manners. The hotter 7's I prefer for bigger game and longer ranges. The majority of my whitetail hunting is done inside of 200 yards. The 7/08 is just right for that, I think.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I would like to throw my .02 but I have only taken one whitetail...with a 280ai....

.280 AI is a great one! IMO, one of the best all-around hunting cartridges for North American game.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Sure, and the STW is a step above that. I prefer the 7/08 for the majority of deer hunting because of its milder manners. The hotter 7's I prefer for bigger game and longer ranges. The majority of my whitetail hunting is done inside of 200 yards. The 7/08 is just right for that, I think.

Yep, as you go up to the point of diminishing returns, there is a clear advantage in velocity for the same diameter bullets.

The 7mm-08 is an awesome round, I've had one for over 20 years. It was my first official deer rifle when I was a kid...After I proved myself with the old .30-30 Win that everybody in the south grew up learning to shoot. For inside of 500 yards, the 7mm-08 is hard to argue with.

 

[FEENIX]

At what range?

At sub 600yds ranges in the open the 6.5's can't be beat. Beyond that I prefer the 7's and .30 cal's.

Up close in the brush I lean towards 12g slugs and the 45-70.

Yep! While it is fun to see the poll reflect personal preferences in WT hunting with limited information, it is often a matter of situational preparation for me. Some of us here in the west are fortunate to have the opportunity on multiple game species (muley/WT, antelope, elk, bear, moose, etc.) open at the same time in the same hunting area/district on average 200-600 yards and beyond. I have other chamberings with more powder capacity but the .300 WM remains my go to chambering - this too is a personal choice.

 

[CaptnC]

My personal favorite was the 280 Remington...built on a VZ-24 mauser action. it was one of the first great shooting rifle I had. I built it before I got married, but she still demanded it in our divorce, she even knew it shot great!

I've since drank the 6.5 cool aid and can't bring my self to build anything else...

My current list of 6.5...
6.5x55
6.5-06
264wm
6.5-284

Waiting on a 6.5CM barrel now so that little itch will be scratched soon...

I have a freshly built (not even a year old) 308 mauser that may get a new barrel...I'm thinking it needs a 260 barrel!

 

[dmoon]

I've lived the majority of my life here in the Flint Hills region of Kansas. Started out as a young man with a 30/30, then .243, then .270, then 300 WSM, then 300 WM, then 6mm Remington, then a CM last year. Personal farthest was last season with the CM, but my vote for favorite in my area would be the 6mm Remington loaded with a 105 vld, good to go out to 800. I may be biased, as this was the first rifle I ever built for myself. (Have always just paid my gunsmith buddy since too