Whitetail Deer Caliber of Choice...

[Justin Black]

It has been my experience that deer hunters can be an opinionated lot. I am quite sure the following posts will reflect this.
The question that I am asking is this...

"What is your favorite caliber and load for hunting Whitetails?”

A person’s preference can change over time, so for this thread I would like to know your current favorite. I am not asking why, but feel free to explain your choice anyway. I do ask however that we refrain from belittling another person’s choice. After all the question asks for your opinion and everyone is entitled to their own.

My personal preference is the .30-30 Winchester, and Federal 150 Grain Power Shok. The reasons for this are more practical rather than sentimental.

Firstly the caliber and load are both easy on the shoulder and on the wallet, and ammunition can be found most anywhere. And secondly the caliber works well for the in close/woods hunting I prefer.

What is your choice?

 

[trevj]

.223, he sez, ducking and running!

Somebody had to be the first here!

Cheers
Trev

 

[mosinmaster]

12 ga slug! Only because I had to use it.

If not, for dense woods - .30-30 Win
flat pasture/plains - 6.5x55 SE

 

[mlehtovaara]

12 guage slugs for my local WMU.

6.5x55, and .243 for the cottage.

 

[Enfield303]

I still use the .303 brit. Will do the job out to 200 metres and is cheap as hell to reload.

 

[Sask_Hunter]

Been reaching for my 257wby for every thing last 4 seasons, loaded with 100gr ttsx. Close or far big or small it works.

Going to give the 243ai an honest go this year

 

[Kilo Charlie]

Tough call. It seems when going after Bambi in the open I usually reach for my .280 Remington. The load is about 58.5 grains H4831 and a 139-grain Hornady SST. It's about half-MOA accurate and kills deer right now.
I am also a huge .30-30 fan, and my preferred load these days is 35 grains Reloder 15 with the 160 Hornady FTX (Leverevolution) bullet.

 

[homer76]

.308 (Savage detachable mag with a Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x)
.30-30 (Marlin 336C with a 3-9x, scope was removed from a Savage package deal otherwise would get a Trijicon Accupoint 1-4x if I could afford another).

 

[a j cave]

My reach for gun is a Rem in 280. I am working up a load for my 50 sharps

 

[Joe549]

.270 or .308. Currently using a .270 but may be purchasing a .308 as a secondary/brush gun.

 

[Grizzlypeg]

My current choice is 300WSM and a 165 grain bonded bullet. Where I hunt, shots can range from 30-400 yards, although most wind up at around 100, so that's what I zero the scope on. I used holdover for further distance, assisted by a bullet drop reticle.

 

[pisces-guy]

.270 Win with 140 grain Accubonds...accurate and flat shooting, good for the west.

 

[whitetailwoodsarcher]

the first caliber i grab is my 308 win, rilfe is the savage 10 scout! love that gun.

 

[Dogleg]

I don't always reach for my 7mm STW, but sometimes I wonder why I don't. Zero to 500 while still holding on hair, more than enough umph for anything with hooves on this continent.

 

[dirt dog]

30-30 does fine for my needs heavey bush, longest i've ever shot a deer may have been 50 yards

 

[Charlie38]

My BLR 81 in 358 Win and 225gr Partitions if I am hunting early season (a legal elk might happen by). Or my Parker Hale 1200 Safari in 6mm Rem and 100gr Partitions after elk and moose season close.

 

[two-dogs]

New choices for me are 260 Rem & 7mm-08 Rem. Old choices were 30-30, 308 and 30-06. Need to experiment more with my 257 Roberts and need to refresh my aging memory with my 7x57. I know it was darn good, but just wanna do it again for old time sake! Retired my 375 Win and gonna let rest my 358 Win for the time being. Performance with the lesser recoil the better for me.

 

[captonion]

Ive taken deer with a pile of different cals, but my main rifles I go for are in 44mag, 25-06, and 280...

Many over the years.
Ones that I can recall taking deer with..
22 Mag
223 Rem
22 savage hi power
225 Win
243 Win
25-20 Win
257 Rob
25-06 Rem
260 Rem
7mm 08 Rem
284 Win
280 Rem
7mm Rem Mag
30 Carbine
30 Rem
30-30
307 Win
308 Win
30-06
303 Brittish
7.62X39
32 SPL
338-06
356 Win
35 Rem
35 whelen
351 WSL
401 WSL
43 Mauser
44 Mag
44-40
444 marlin

 

[pisces-guy]

.22 mag rimfire is legal for deer where you hunt, Captonion?

 

[captonion]

.22 mag rimfire is legal for deer where you hunt, Captonion?

Ont, and no..It was a long time ago, and quite different times, though I guess that is no excuse, but i did it, and admit it.