What is everyone favorite caliber for deer?

[LongestShot]

I started out with a 270, switched to a 7x57 Mauser and finally built a custom rifle using the 6.5-284. For me it meant less recoil, better accuracy and more long range potential. A 6.5 is all you need foe whitetail or mule deer. I've got a 2 pound trigger that breaks like glass and the whole rig including scope is under seven pounds. Just what the doctor ordered.

I use 124 grain Hammer bullets and the penetration is excellent.

 

[Peddler 76]

I have killed over 100 deer with either a 250 savage, 257 Bob, 25'06, 270, 7/08, 280, 7 RemMag, 30/30, 308, 30'06, 35 whelen, 44 Mag, or 45/70. My favorites are Rem 7MS in 308 or AO custom 7/08.

I have also but with fewer rifles and shotguns, starting with 30-30, 12 Gauge, .308, 348, .358, .270, 30-06, 20 Gauge ( I got smarter ), .257 Roberts, .45 cal. Muzzleloader & 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[freefloater59]

It depends on where I am going: Big Thicket & brush, my 308 Win 20" bbl & open sights. Open range & mountains will be my 264 Win Mag. Elk & up anywhere will be 338 Win Mag. I believe in choosing the right tools for the job. But before I was so sophisticated to have to choose, it was my 270 Win for all needs.

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

7mm-08, 257 WBY mag, 22-6mm, 338 RCM...each do something a little different well...

 

[arch408]

For a dedicated deer rifle, I'm going with the 6.5 Remington Mag. If I could find the 120 grain CoreLokts I'd see them too, but the Nosler partitions work well also. I've also used the 100 grain CoreLokts and had excellent results with them too. If I didn't have my 6.5 RM, I'd go with the 6.5-284 or 6.5-06 AI.

 

[D Gold]

A few of you have posted "it depends on the range". I agree. I will use my 257AI out to ~300yd, and my 280 if I expect to go beyond that. Sometimes I just use the 280 because... well, I like the thump.

 

[338 dude]

It's more the gun for me than the cartridge, but I love my marlin 308 express. I have a soft spot for lever guns and that stainless steel with gray laminate wood makes for a beautiful gun. It's also effective as I have never had a deer take a step after being hit.

It reminds me of my favorite lever gun the 444 Marlin XLR

 

[338 dude]

They all kill it's just what ever you fill like shoot it if u don't like it sale it. Me and 300 wm don't match but 270 /35 whelen 6.5-284 are just fine togeather

6.5x284 Norma

 

[DoctorPMN]

I spent 26 years becoming adequately educated to practice in the field of medicine with 2 specialties. Unfortunately, that means I haven't shot nearly the numbers of animals as some. Too busy. The benefit though is that I have my choice of caliber.

Been using a lovely Dakota .270 Winchester with Hornady Light Magnum factory loads (again, not enough time for precision handloading). Every deer have shot simply collapses, feet in the air. As humane as I can make it.

Some day I should tell you guys a story. Yearling's rxn to my shooting it's mom. Broke my heart. So........fast, fast, fast with a big energy dump.

 

[PBR driver]

What ever rifle/revolver I have in my hand at the time.
I do not believe in shoot big game at long range, that is for me, if you feel the need to be it I won't flame anyone that does.
But for me stalking in close is a huge rush.
My last pronghorn was killed at 50 yards with a .41 revolver, the one before that was an archery kill at 50 yards that went book.
Oh yes I have blown more stalks and missed shots getting in close.
I am getting into traditional muzzle loaders.
What caliber?
That can be tough Choice for me.
I guess as a gunsmith if I do not have what ever I could build it.

 

[PBR driver]

I was and always will be a 270 win fan. However the last few years I bought into the 6.5 Creed hype and have used one on several hogs, deer, mule deer, antelope and elk. I have to say it works as long as you do your job.

Thinking of building another 270 win though as it is my favorite.

Not sure why but the .270 Win never gets me excited.
It is a classic American cartridge that does everything in fine style but I could never warm up to the .270, maybe cause it seems everyone has one, not sure.

 

[LVJ76]

I've used several cartridges in my 35+ years of hunting and shooting experience: 223 Rem, 7mm-08, 270 Win. 280 Rem and 7mm Rem Mag and hands down the winner is the 7mm-08.

It shoots flat and with the 139gr SST its a spectacular killer up to 500m, it will go through bone and reach vitals no problem.

 

[Old Rooster]

A few shooters showing love to the grand old 358 win.I love it.
I leave the 358 home if I hunt valleys and meadows and use a 300 win mag but if I hunt in the woods I ALWAYS take the 358 win BLR with 200 gr Hornady bullets.
Will look to use Hammer bullets next year but an Elk,Moose or huge Muleys will fall like a brick to a well placed 200 gr bullet from the grand old 358 win.
I love the 270 also and have just 1 left.Infact at the range I limit myself to 550 to 600 yards the 270 will get the job done.At longer ranges the 6.5's seem to do a bit better.
Just my 2 cents
Old Rooster

 

[SEGARE]

I used to be a 30-06/270 guy. Now I'm hunting with a .260 Nosler 48. I bought a RA in .243 for the wife.