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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What's your favorite round for deer? (Page 2 of 3)

Posted: 9/24/2016 10:25:56 PM EDT

[#1]

My all time favorite is a 165 gr Sierra Gameking bullets in my 30-06 hand loaded to 2900 fps.

Posted: 9/24/2016 10:47:01 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
My favorite round for whitetail is 270. I've had others but I always go back to my trusty ole 270. It doesnt destroy the meat and because of the low recoil I'm able to quickly be on target for follow up shots with the bolt action.

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This is in 130 gr sierra gameking BTSP from Federal Premium.

Posted: 9/24/2016 11:06:54 PM EDT

[#3]

168 gr. .308

Posted: 9/25/2016 11:02:30 AM EDT

[#4]

Barnes TTX .308

Posted: 9/25/2016 11:34:51 PM EDT

[#5]

Just in case the deer have armor on. I'd probably take this(416 Rem) or my 375 in the woods for deer. Kind of fun to shoot actually. No more meat damage than your 270.

Posted: 9/26/2016 9:59:18 AM EDT

[#6]

308 with 150 grain corelokts. Taken a couple with the 223 and 64 gr winchesters and a couple with 270 and 130 grain corelokts. Anything from 260 up and use regular old soft points, the round nose 308 and 06 corelokts really wallop them as well. Below 260 use a better bullet to make sure you can break the shoulder. Don't like tough bullets for deer especially if the bullet is starting out above 120 grains.

Posted: 9/26/2016 10:20:55 AM EDT

[#7]

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Quoted:
Barnes TTX .308

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This, 150 TTSX. I've got some 130's to load up and try as well.

Posted: 9/26/2016 12:53:53 PM EDT

[#8]

.30-06 with 165g NBT's

Posted: 9/26/2016 4:41:12 PM EDT

[#9]

30-06 and the round is 150 grain Winchester Ballistic Tips. Most effective I've ever used. I really dislike 30-30 for deer. I've shot too many that suffered and with very good shots. The 30-06 with those bullets put them down hard. 219 lb dressed 11 point buck in Minnesota went straight down at 135 meters. I've shot does at 25 yards with 150 grain 30-30 and it lived for 10 min. I dislike suffering.

Posted: 9/26/2016 4:46:03 PM EDT

[#10]

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Quoted:
I've shot does at 25 yards with 150 grain 30-30 and it lived for 10 min. I dislike suffering.

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If that's the case, your shot placement was less than optimal....

Sure, more gun may open up your envelope a little bit, but shot placement is the single most important factor.

Posted: 9/26/2016 5:43:10 PM EDT

[#11]

My gf and I will be using my 18" 6.5 Grendel. It's already taken 2 bears this year, hoping to get some good data.

Just ordered a carbon fiber barrel for it yesterday. Hopefully it gets here this week, season starts Saturday.

Posted: 9/27/2016 6:59:20 PM EDT

[#12]

I use the same Savage 110 270cal 130g I have been using for almost 30 years. Very trusty gun.

I do have a couple AR's I am going to start working with to use for hunting. 300 and 6.8 SPC.

My daughter has been using a bolt action 223 since she was 9. Neck shots and they drop in their tracks.

Posted: 9/27/2016 11:30:08 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:

If that's the case, your shot placement was less than optimal....

Sure, more gun may open up your envelope a little bit, but shot placement is the single most important factor.

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Quoted:

Quoted:
I've shot does at 25 yards with 150 grain 30-30 and it lived for 10 min. I dislike suffering.

If that's the case, your shot placement was less than optimal....

Sure, more gun may open up your envelope a little bit, but shot placement is the single most important factor.

Exactly. All the deer I dropped my 30-30 dropped right there, even out to 75-100yds. Used to use 150gr silvertips, shot great. Shot placement is key.

Posted: 9/28/2016 12:17:21 AM EDT

[#14]

I use a Tikka T3 chambered in .338 Federal. I took a nice buck with it a few years ago. I may try out my .338 Lapua this year just for shits and giggles

Posted: 9/28/2016 2:32:05 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:

Exactly. All the deer I dropped my 30-30 dropped right there, even out to 75-100yds. Used to use 150gr silvertips, shot great. Shot placement is key.

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Quoted:

Quoted:
I've shot does at 25 yards with 150 grain 30-30 and it lived for 10 min. I dislike suffering.

If that's the case, your shot placement was less than optimal....

Sure, more gun may open up your envelope a little bit, but shot placement is the single most important factor.

Exactly. All the deer I dropped my 30-30 dropped right there, even out to 75-100yds. Used to use 150gr silvertips, shot great. Shot placement is key.

I have shot 5 with the 30-30 and regular corelokts couple with 170 and couple with 150. Only one dropped on the spot but none went over 100 yards. Always got a exit about the size of a quarter. The one that dropped was a neck shot. Lung shots don't do the damage of a faster caliber but it still kills clean in my experience.

Posted: 9/30/2016 12:39:14 AM EDT

[#16]

I actually haven't had to track a deer yet. Every one of them drops when I pull the trigger. Plenty of range time, and hitting in the right place. These days I shoot bigger guns but I still shoot my 30-30.

Posted: 9/30/2016 7:11:29 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
30-06 and the round is 150 grain Winchester Ballistic Tips. Most effective I've ever used. I really dislike 30-30 for deer. I've shot too many that suffered and with very good shots. The 30-06 with those bullets put them down hard. 219 lb dressed 11 point buck in Minnesota went straight down at 135 meters. I've shot does at 25 yards with 150 grain 30-30 and it lived for 10 min. I dislike suffering.

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this is the most bizarre post of the entire thread. it defies real world results since 1894. I've killed dozens of whitetails, as did my friends with Winchesters and Marlin 30-30 and cheap Winchester ammo and killed them dead within 25 yards 100% of the time.

the 30-30 pretty much killed off almost all medium to large game in the US up to Bears, Elk and Moose in size.

within 20 years of its invention...medium to large game was pretty much barren in most places.

Posted: 10/2/2016 4:45:54 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:

this is the most bizarre post of the entire thread. it defies real world results since 1894. I've killed dozens of whitetails, as did my friends with Winchesters and Marlin 30-30 and cheap Winchester ammo and killed them dead within 25 yards 100% of the time.

the 30-30 pretty much killed off almost all medium to large game in the US up to Bears, Elk and Moose in size.

within 20 years of its invention...medium to large game was pretty much barren in most places.

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Quoted:

Quoted:
30-06 and the round is 150 grain Winchester Ballistic Tips. Most effective I've ever used. I really dislike 30-30 for deer. I've shot too many that suffered and with very good shots. The 30-06 with those bullets put them down hard. 219 lb dressed 11 point buck in Minnesota went straight down at 135 meters. I've shot does at 25 yards with 150 grain 30-30 and it lived for 10 min. I dislike suffering.

this is the most bizarre post of the entire thread. it defies real world results since 1894. I've killed dozens of whitetails, as did my friends with Winchesters and Marlin 30-30 and cheap Winchester ammo and killed them dead within 25 yards 100% of the time.

the 30-30 pretty much killed off almost all medium to large game in the US up to Bears, Elk and Moose in size.

within 20 years of its invention...medium to large game was pretty much barren in most places.

Sounds like marksmanship is the issue here. The only times I have seen a 30/30 not kill a deer right away, was due to poor shooting. I watched a couple of cheeseheads empty their marlins at a doe that had been wounded. It lived for a while, and someone finally hit it and finished it when I was loading my rifle to do what they hadn't. If the poster says he shot a doe and it lived for 10min, then that is all on him, not any bullet. If the first shot hasn't killed it yet, then for gods sake put it out of its misery. If you're the kind that goes out a week or two before season, wipes off the dust from a year of sitting in the closet and puts 3 rounds down range and calls it good, then you are the problem. I have had the misery of hunting with such folks, and have had to do clean up for them as well. Had one of the same crew the next season gut shot a big doe. Numerous follow up shots and he still couldn't hit the thing. One shot from me and I blew her brains out of her skull. My gun shoots good, but I make it shoot good, not the other way around.

Posted: 10/10/2016 4:58:30 PM EDT

[#19]

Usually...I use the .270 Win with Federal (Trophy Copper, I believe) loaded with the 130gr Barnes TSX bullet. Awesome round! Been hunting on private properties lately where typical shots aren't past 75 yards. Last deer I took was at about 40-50 yards. Thinking of stepping down to a .357 or .44 lever gun for those particular properties.

Posted: 10/10/2016 6:42:34 PM EDT

[#20]

I have taken most of my deer with a 308. Last deer was with a 6.8. This year I really want to get one with my 300 BLK. I will be hunting tight terrain where a long shot would be 50 yards, seems perfect.

Posted: 10/10/2016 7:14:21 PM EDT

[#21]

30-06

Posted: 10/10/2016 8:50:45 PM EDT

[#22]

I must agree with you OP. I have used calibers from .243, 257, .270, .280 .30, and .35. All have performed within expectations and killed deer with finality. But for some reason when I grab a gun to go hunting (albeit not nearly as often as I used to) it seems as though my Husqvarna 270 gets the nod. I am so comfortable with this rifle within 250-350 yards that it is almost effortless. As long as I have a clear unobstructed view of the target, it is good to go.
I have settled on the single 140 grain bullet weight and just don't bother with anything else any more. From cast, gas-checked to Nosler partitions and Berger and Barnes solids this bullet weight answers all my hunting needs.
I will pull the 94 Win out and use it probably 2nd most often. Because I can

.

Posted: 10/11/2016 7:57:36 AM EDT

[#23]

If I'm horn hunting 308 168gr

Everything else, does to hogs get a 55gr amax to their medulla out of a rock river..

Posted: 10/11/2016 11:29:57 AM EDT

[#24]

30-06 for the last 20 years and last year switched over to 6.8spc and really liking it. 30-06 only went out once last year.

Posted: 10/11/2016 1:16:38 PM EDT

[#25]

.54 patched round ball on top of 90 g of real black powder.
second favorite .45LC from a 20" Rossi 1892.

Posted: 10/20/2016 2:16:36 PM EDT

[#26]

For the last couple of years I've used .308 with 150gr. Federal Fusions. I've been happy with it and will be using it again this year.

Posted: 10/20/2016 2:57:32 PM EDT

[#27]

.270 win

Posted: 10/20/2016 4:00:14 PM EDT

[#28]

Ruger M77 (tang safety) in 7x57.

I used the 154 grain Hornady spire point loaded to 2700 fps.

Deer, bear, elk, it never failed me if I aimed it right.

Posted: 10/20/2016 4:41:16 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
30-30

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YES

Posted: 10/24/2016 3:54:50 PM EDT

[#30]

Since starting hunting at 16, it was always a Savage 111 in .270 with Federal blue box 130gr. Last year I took out a Marlin 336 in .30-30 as I wanted to try using iron sights and the rifle itself is a sweetheart. Was very impressed by how little the bullet tore up the meat and how little the deer ran before expiring (maybe 20 yards). Load was 170gr Winchester PowerPoints

Posted: 10/24/2016 9:29:37 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:

Exactly. All the deer I dropped my 30-30 dropped right there, even out to 75-100yds. Used to use 150gr silvertips, shot great. Shot placement is key.

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Quoted:

Quoted:
I've shot does at 25 yards with 150 grain 30-30 and it lived for 10 min. I dislike suffering.

If that's the case, your shot placement was less than optimal....

Sure, more gun may open up your envelope a little bit, but shot placement is the single most important factor.

Exactly. All the deer I dropped my 30-30 dropped right there, even out to 75-100yds. Used to use 150gr silvertips, shot great. Shot placement is key.

Second that. Shot two deer with a 30-30 170 grain round nose. Both died before they hit the ground.

Posted: 10/24/2016 9:58:33 PM EDT

[#32]

Since I'm stuck in a "shotgun zone" and they have recently relaxed the rules for using rifles with straight walled cartridges around here, I'm rockin' an AR in .450 Bushmaster with the Hornady 250 grain FTX ammo. THUMP!

Posted: 10/25/2016 5:35:51 PM EDT

[#33]

123 gr SST in 6.5 Grendel.

Posted: 10/25/2016 7:08:06 PM EDT

[#34]

7x57mm Mauser or a 7mm-08 with 120 or 139 grain bullets

Posted: 10/25/2016 7:44:46 PM EDT

[#35]

Quote History

Quoted:

Second that. Shot two deer with a 30-30 170 grain round nose. Both died before they hit the ground.

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Quoted:

Quoted:
I've shot does at 25 yards with 150 grain 30-30 and it lived for 10 min. I dislike suffering.

If that's the case, your shot placement was less than optimal....

Sure, more gun may open up your envelope a little bit, but shot placement is the single most important factor.

Exactly. All the deer I dropped my 30-30 dropped right there, even out to 75-100yds. Used to use 150gr silvertips, shot great. Shot placement is key.

Second that. Shot two deer with a 30-30 170 grain round nose. Both died before they hit the ground.

Third that. Two deers dropped on the spot, the third made it 15 feet up a small hill and died rolling back down.

All were dead in less than a minute. Shot placement is key regardless of round.

Posted: 10/27/2016 9:20:19 AM EDT

[#36]

44 mag Ruger carbine. Kills Maine deer dead'r than a door nail. Most shots 20-75 yards.

Posted: 10/27/2016 9:29:01 AM EDT

[#37]

223 handloads with 62 gr nosler BT W/C with ## grains of BLC2
Taken three so far with it, all dropped where shot

Posted: 10/27/2016 10:00:34 AM EDT

[#38]

I'm a week or two away from taking my first buck on my land.

Will be using Lehigh 194gr Max Expansion in 300blk.

Should be interesting @ <1000fps from an 8.5" suppressed sbr. 20yd shot, 25' up on a 10x4 plywood stand that's still fresh. These city deer are almost tame. I can smell like a russian whore, run an impact drill for 6 hours, and start a fire 100 yds away and they still come eat on their regular routine schedule.

It's a lot less hunting, a lot more gettin groceries, but still a good time.

Can't wait to see this round's performance with my own eyes.

Groceries:

Prefer this one, haven't seen him since Feb.. Believe he's already been eaten.

Posted: 11/20/2016 7:14:46 PM EDT

[#39]

168 grain 308 Horandy TAP

I don't like tracking them.

Posted: 11/25/2016 8:27:45 PM EDT

[#40]

.270 WSM

Drops them like a sack of potatoes.

Posted: 11/25/2016 9:20:08 PM EDT

[#41]

Federal 300 grain sabot slugs @ 2000 fps

Posted: 11/26/2016 8:19:00 PM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:

Third that. Two deers dropped on the spot, the third made it 15 feet up a small hill and died rolling back down.

All were dead in less than a minute. Shot placement is key regardless of round.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I've shot does at 25 yards with 150 grain 30-30 and it lived for 10 min. I dislike suffering.

If that's the case, your shot placement was less than optimal....

Sure, more gun may open up your envelope a little bit, but shot placement is the single most important factor.

Exactly. All the deer I dropped my 30-30 dropped right there, even out to 75-100yds. Used to use 150gr silvertips, shot great. Shot placement is key.

Second that. Shot two deer with a 30-30 170 grain round nose. Both died before they hit the ground.

Third that. Two deers dropped on the spot, the third made it 15 feet up a small hill and died rolling back down.

All were dead in less than a minute. Shot placement is key regardless of round.

Agreed. I bought a 1957 Marlin 336RC before deer season last year. I have so far fired four 170gr Remington Core-Lokt bullets at whitetail deer at ranges between 30 and 60 yards. The result: four dead deer. The first three never took a step. The fourth was a double lung pass through that also creased her heart. She ran about 60 yards before going nose first into the snow.

My experience has been that the .30-30 is perfect for my needs. Kills quickly and doesn't destroy a bunch of meat.

I'll continue to hunt with it.

Posted: 11/26/2016 8:47:08 PM EDT

[#43]

257 Roberts

Posted: 11/26/2016 8:49:53 PM EDT

[#44]

I've probably averaged 3-5 deer a year for the last 50 years. Some years many more (MLD permits), some years not so many. My favorite is 140g Nosler Partition out of a 7mm-08. I don't claim it superior to some of the others mentioned here, it's just my favorite. In fact I dropped a doe this year with my 6.5 CM at 140 yds on the next shot after ringing a gong (the day before) at 1K yds. I just prefer the short, light, Rem Mod Seven.

Shot placement is definitely a factor but we have found heart shot deer 80 yards from where they were shot in south Texas brush. Almost always those just fall over, DRT. A good tracking dog will all but eliminate losing wounded game.

Posted: 1/2/2017 2:17:05 PM EDT

[#45]

Quote History

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I shoot a 300 Win Mag pushing a 168 grain Barnes XLC, which has been out of production for a few years. I've only got about 30 or 40 left, so when they're gone I'll need to work up a new load.

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If you are shooting just deer with it, change over to a Sierra Match King. You won't be displeased with the results.

I used a 190gr Berger VLD Hunting this year and the results were almost horrifying. Neck shot just in front of the chest broadside. The hole on the back of the neck was about 8 inches across.

Posted: 1/2/2017 4:19:47 PM EDT

[#46]

I've used the following:

5.45x39
.223
6.5x57
.308
.30-06
.416 Rigby

My favorite is whichever one I happen to have in my hands at the time.

Posted: 1/7/2017 3:01:09 AM EDT

[#47]

Quote History

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123 gr SST in 6.5 Grendel.

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I'm convinced it's the perfect medium game mid range cartridge. Mine has 4 game animals and it performs amazingly.

And when I say medium game, my Grendel has a 300lb black bear kill under its belt, and I was trying to take a cow elk with it as well. I would step up for bull elk maybe though.

Posted: 1/7/2017 9:55:44 AM EDT

[#48]

I killed deer for 30 years with the 30-06 with 180 grain SP's. All deer were shot in the woods no more than 100 yards. All only went a short distance except one. Shot him in the neck and the bullet was recovered lodged in the vertebrae but never expanded. You could have reloaded that bullet. Chased him quite a ways before I got another shot in him. Sent the bullet back to Remington and they sent me coupons for free ammo. I think two boxes.

Since '04 I'm shooting 35 Remington, 35 Whelen and 356 Winchester. All good killers. Shot a 8 two years ago with the Whelen and hit low and back. My bad I had to chase him quite a bit.

As others said placement is key. I want to use the AR but I always bring other guns and switch at the last minute. Next year I'm only bringing the AR.

This year the Xbow got the job done. Killed a five with it. But over the years I saw everything between 223 and 300 rum used and they all kill deer. I hunted with several guys who killed a boat load of deer with 30-30's. Most of them are now dead.

For deer hunting in the north east if I had to do it again I would get a 243 and call it good.