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Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2015 1:53 pm
by 191185
My friend isn't sure which caliber to buy

Deer hunting only, in Minnesota and Wisconsin

Absolutely hates the 30-06, says it kicks too hard and isn't fun to shoot.

Beginner hunter, this will be his first rifle

I have the 30-30 and love it. He isn't sure if he wants something with a little more power than 30-30 ?


How do the calipers rank in order ? The 30-30 being the least powerful. And if 30-06 was the most powerful, which calibers are in between to choose from ?

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 8:36 am
by p.d.
Any of the 25 or 26 calibers will kill any deer on the continent reliably and humanely without beating the stuffings out of the hunter. I prefer and use the .257 Roberts but I've used it for years and hand load. The .260 intrigues me although I cannot cite empirical data to recommend it. I have taken several deer, including my largest ever, with the 6.5X55 Swedish Mauser which is a crackerjack round. I would certainly not overlook the .243. Hope it all works out.

When I cited 25 or 26 calibers, I should note I am speaking of modern calibers and not ones introduced at the beginning of the previous century.

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 10:33 am
by XLIV
I agree, for a beginner the .243 will suffice for a minn brush gun as well as reach out and touch a whitetail in the wisc wheat field.

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Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Wed Dec 09, 2015 9:15 am
by SHOOTER13
My favorite deer getter is the .30 WCF out of my Winchester Model 1895 in the woods and brush of
Pennsylvania...

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Wed Dec 09, 2015 7:10 pm
by bob lewis
As p.d. I also use a .257 Rob'ts and would recommend it over the .243 Winchester. The .30-30 when fired in a '94 style gun has,in my mind, more recoil than an '06. If he hand loads or can get Hornady amo then a 7X57mm with 139-140 gr. bullet is a good choice and there is nothing wrong with the .270 Winchester either.

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 9:18 am
by SHOOTER13
Recoil is a perception...some are acutely aware and expect it...others just roll with it.

I'm in the latter camp...

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 2:14 pm
by XLIV
While I've never shot a 257 robts I inherited a lot of 257 ammo/components. I have shot a 243 and found the recoil to be less than a 308(my personal choice for hunting).

Personally, whether perceived or not, recoil is the most cited factor in a beginners opinion about enjoying hunting, shooting or the sport. A followup shot is much easier if you dont need to recompose yourself.

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Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 10:33 am
by Hairtrigger
I shoot a 260. Easy to find ammo
In my area 257 r is impossible to find on the shelf

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 5:08 pm
by 41STH
On the subject of recoil, I have a question about the difference between wood and plastic stocks.
I've owned old 308's with wood stocks and never had a problem with recoil.
Even owned a 303 Jungle carbine (They kick) and never flinched.
One day I thought I should enter the 21th century and bought a new Tikka T3 in 308.
I appreciate that they are technically an excellent rifle, but I just could not make myself like it. Part of my problem was that the recoil was nasty.
I have a theory that wood softens recoil and plastic simply transmits it straight at you.
How's that sound ?

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 9:30 pm
by redryder
Talking nasty recoil......my 1928 Winchester SRC 30-30 goes high on the nasty chart.

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 12:36 pm
by 41STH
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 !

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 3:54 pm
by Land_Owner
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.

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 9:27 am
by snyfer
for strictly woods hunting i like my 35 remington , in the fields my 270 has done the job for years

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Sat Mar 17, 2018 1:52 pm
by sschefer
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.

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 6:14 pm
by billybob
I really like my 7mm-08 .

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 7:06 pm
by redryder
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.

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 10:50 pm
by bob lewis
191185 This thread is now nearly 3 years old now, I would like to know what cartridge your friend chose and his opinion.

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 6:11 pm
by redryder
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.

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 10:40 pm
by bob lewis
Redryder, it seems as though the sites I attend are all a little slow.

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 8:18 pm
by swampper257
I use my model 71 348win in the woods, my 7mmag in the open fields !!!

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 4:42 pm
by 28 gauge
Bagged a couple of deer in the past using a Winchester Model 71 .348 rifle.Great woods rifle.

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 9:53 pm
by swampper257
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 !!!!

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 11:54 pm
by bob lewis
Swamper , it is amazing how effective that cartridge is yet get so little credit.

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Wed Dec 25, 2019 1:52 pm
by redryder
Good to see you back swampper.

Forum posting is thin. Many in our herd have wondered away.

Re: Which caliber for deer hunting ?

PostPosted: Wed Dec 25, 2019 7:11 pm
by trucker
My two deer rifles are a .257 Roberts, and a 30-30 win. Both get the job done if I do my part.