Which caliber for deer hunting ?

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.22LR
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2016 5:18 pm
PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 12:36 pm
A mate of mine has an old short Winchester (Unknown) 30-30.
I've never fired it but by the way he gets pushed around and the profanities that come from his direction.... I think he agrees with you !
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.410
Posts: 62
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Location: Cocoa, FL
PostPosted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 3:54 pm
Recoil is lessened for beginners with the use of a shoulder protector like any of these at MidwayUSA (and others):
https://www.midwayusa.com/recoil-protection/br?cid=688

There is no reason to "take the punishment" when learning to shoot. Use the Recoil Pad. After the first 1000 rounds or so, you just won't care anymore.

Take them duck hunting with a 12 ga. shotgun. After the first 3-4 shots at live targets, they'll get into it. After the 12 ga. all of the other calibers from 30-06, 308, 270, 243, 30-30 and down will be no problemo.

In your 12 ga., put a piece of "steel bar" up the stock, being careful to protect the nut and bolt up there. The added weight will dampen recoil. I did this on my H&R Pardner 12 ga. single shot Handi-rifle for my boys when they were learning to shoot ducks and it really helped. Shortly thereafter, they both wanted pump shotguns without the added weight.
If it was easy, anybody could do it.

.22LR
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2018 1:00 pm
PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 9:27 am
for strictly woods hunting i like my 35 remington , in the fields my 270 has done the job for years

.410
Posts: 43
Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2018 9:39 pm
PostPosted: Sat Mar 17, 2018 1:52 pm
I would suggest that you pick a caliber that has been around for a while. I've seen a lot of the hot items go wildcat and then disappear over the years.

It's been said that 6.5-7mm are the best hunting rounds and I don't dispute that.

My suggestion to you is that you stick to the basics. .270 or 30-06. If you're not open to a 20lb shoulder slam then the .270 is probably your best choice. I don't recommend you try this yet, but I took a big Wyoming Elk with one shot from a Model 70 .270 at around 400 yards. That was not in my comfort zone but I got the kill.

Today, I carry a Model 94 30-30, a Model 70 Featherweight 30-06 and a new Browning X-Bolt 300 WSM.

As for recoil.. Ask any true hunter and they'll tell you they don't remember the recoil when they're hunting only while at the range. I know what it feels like but I don't remember what it felt like. Get yourself a lead sled for the range.

.22LR
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 6:14 pm
I really like my 7mm-08 .
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20g
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Location: Central Louisiana
PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 7:06 pm
7mm is an interesting woodland round. I don't hunt, so I have no preference. 30-30 is popular in my neck of the woods.
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.270 WIN
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 10:50 pm
191185 This thread is now nearly 3 years old now, I would like to know what cartridge your friend chose and his opinion.
Too old to be nice, never too old to learn!
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20g
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 6:11 pm
Good to see on site again bob lewis. Looks like we are running on empty.

I am bumping oldies in hopes of having some activity.
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.270 WIN
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 10:40 pm
Redryder, it seems as though the sites I attend are all a little slow.
Too old to be nice, never too old to learn!

.22LR
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Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2016 8:27 am
PostPosted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 8:18 pm
I use my model 71 348win in the woods, my 7mmag in the open fields !!!

.270 WIN
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Location: Nova Scotia,Canada
PostPosted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 4:42 pm
Bagged a couple of deer in the past using a Winchester Model 71 .348 rifle.Great woods rifle.

.22LR
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 9:53 pm
Like p.d. I use the 257 Roberts and would not charge for anything else, and my 1952 model 70 makes it that much more deadly !!!!

.270 WIN
Posts: 184
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 11:54 pm
Swamper , it is amazing how effective that cartridge is yet get so little credit.
Too old to be nice, never too old to learn!
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20g
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 25, 2019 1:52 pm
Good to see you back swampper.

Forum posting is thin. Many in our herd have wondered away.
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.22LR
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 25, 2019 7:11 pm
My two deer rifles are a .257 Roberts, and a 30-30 win. Both get the job done if I do my part.
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 25, 2019 10:39 pm
Good to see you back trucker. We need the hits!
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