Hey all, first time posting a new thread, I'm not looking for an argument on what works and what doesn't and who should get their peepee slapped for using what, I'm just curious as to what range of cartridges the general community would use as a minimum for whitetail deer. Also what the general community would use for their go-to whitetail round. Any info for bullet selection on said cartridges is also appreciated.
What is the smallest cartridge YOU would hunt whitetail deer with?
- Thread starter Target-Hunter-Reloader
- Start date
Yeah, depends on where you are and the law. Here in Ontario any centerfire rifles make the minimum including 17 hornet. I know of guys that use 22 hornet for their deer, but my minimum has been 223, I have taken deer with it, but it leaves much to be desired. My meat gun cartridge is 30-06, I only had one deer not drop on the spot which it went 20yds. Although there was much meat loss.
Plenty of whitetail have fallen to the mighty .243 Win. My wife uses one and I load 100gr Hornady BTSP for it. It makes deer dead on the spot. I would shoot whitetail inside of 400 yards with no worries using most 6mm or 6.5mm Variations. I wouldn't go much smaller even if it were legal
I've used calibers down to .45 cal round-balls in a muzzleloader, 22/250 in an area where it was legal. There was no real good reason for using either, beyond just seeing if I could do it. That isn't a very good reason at all when I think about it.
Now I use a .257 Weatherby on the small end, range through the three .270 chambering I have, play with the 7 Rem and STW and then sort of top out at the 300WSM, 300 Win and Weatherby. Most of the time it doesn't make any difference, but if push comes to shove my "go to" deer gun is the 7mm STW.
Now I use a .257 Weatherby on the small end, range through the three .270 chambering I have, play with the 7 Rem and STW and then sort of top out at the 300WSM, 300 Win and Weatherby. Most of the time it doesn't make any difference, but if push comes to shove my "go to" deer gun is the 7mm STW.
I don't think I'd drop any smaller than .243, it gets the job done very well and is proven and I don't think theres a ton to choose from under that calibre thats legal where I live? My favourite right now is 7mm Rem, but have had and seen great success with .270
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Probably my 25-06 , but the one a grab usually is the 7-08.I have smaller and larger but that is just the one that has always seemed to follow me out the door.
Bullets matter much more than headstamps. Use an appropriate bullet, and put it in an appropriate place, and good things result.
I myself have personally used the 223 with spectacular results using the 45 and 53 tsx, and the 75 amax. Friends use the 64 bsb, 65 sgk, and 70 speers.
I've shot some rather large muleys, whitetails, and black bears with the 223 from 12 paces to past 400.
However, if you are someone who suffers from the fever and is happy to merely hit hair with the first poke or two, maybe deer hunting isn't for you.....
I myself have personally used the 223 with spectacular results using the 45 and 53 tsx, and the 75 amax. Friends use the 64 bsb, 65 sgk, and 70 speers.
I've shot some rather large muleys, whitetails, and black bears with the 223 from 12 paces to past 400.
However, if you are someone who suffers from the fever and is happy to merely hit hair with the first poke or two, maybe deer hunting isn't for you.....
I have to confess my bullet selection in my 223 was a poor one, 45gr winchester JHP. Would have been much better with 53gr tsx.
Looks like we are getting a good selection of cartridges, keep em coming.
+1 for 243win, it's a surprisingly good deer getter for the bullet diameter
Looks like we are getting a good selection of cartridges, keep em coming.
+1 for 243win, it's a surprisingly good deer getter for the bullet diameter
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
That would depend on how hungry I was at the time and how close I could "Indian" up to it.
My dad was taught to hunt (late 1930's) by his granddad in the fringes of the northern Sask bush country. when the farm needed meat, the old boy would give the kid two .22 shells ( too expensive to be waist full ) and tell him " to get a deer or two porcupines". by then my dad knew he much preferred deer to porcupine meat so more than a few deer fell to the little Winchester pump .22.
While I've never shot one with a .22, I have used guns from .30 carbine to 25 cal to 458 to 300 win mags and the only one deer I never recovered was shot with the .300 mag.
My dad was taught to hunt (late 1930's) by his granddad in the fringes of the northern Sask bush country. when the farm needed meat, the old boy would give the kid two .22 shells ( too expensive to be waist full ) and tell him " to get a deer or two porcupines". by then my dad knew he much preferred deer to porcupine meat so more than a few deer fell to the little Winchester pump .22.
While I've never shot one with a .22, I have used guns from .30 carbine to 25 cal to 458 to 300 win mags and the only one deer I never recovered was shot with the .300 mag.
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Under perfect circumstances I would use a .223 (its legal in Ontario). Since hunting is typically less then perfect circumstances, the smallest I'd be comfortable using is a .243, which is a wonderful deer cartridge.
