Whitetail Deer Caliber of Choice...

This year a precise Cooper Montana Varminter in 280AI will be the 'go to' of choice, for farmland and open foothills rangeland.

For all-tag mountain hunts including deer where longer shots are expected, an equally precise 15-pound custom 340 will be used. 250gn Noslers exclusively. (That was my go-to before I had all the work done on it, but now it fits like a glove and shoots like a laser).

In mostly heavy brush/willows & thick forest for any big game including deer, a light fast-handling Kimber Mauser-action in 300 winmag will be taken. I'll carry both 165 gn TSX and a handful of old 220gn Silvertip cart's. I think that combo is much more versatile and effective than a 12-gauge slug or Marlin GBL lever-gun in 45-70. It feels and fits me a lot better too.
 
7.62x39, I usually get in one or two mag changes, eventually they stop moving or at least slow down enough for me to get closer. I find the airated carcass cools down quicker. Moose on the other hand often require the bayonet.
 
There are so many fantastic choices for deer! However as much as I like my model 7 in 7mm08 or my Ruger M77MK2 in 308, I am going to pick just one for the purpose of this thread and agree with Jack O'Connor and stick with the good old 270 winchester....
 
Depends!

On where I'm hunting.

Tight cover it's likely my BLR in 358, or My 336 Marlin in 30/30.

Wide open spaces it can be a number of rifles, like my Model 70 Win in 270WSM, Sako AV in 25'06, Rem 700 in 280AI, Rem 788 in 284Win, Savage 11 in 300WSM.

Mixed cover, or if we are doing rolling deer drives trading standing and pushing it most likely would be. Ruger#1 RSI in 7x57, or Ruber #1 in 303 Brit.
 
I typically choose something in the 6mm to 375 range, unless I use my single shot 45-90. If it's a muzzleloader or shotgun, then I go 50 cal or 12 ga. Haven't tried a 22 centrefire yet.
 
captonion said:
Ont, and no:redface:..It was a long time ago, and quite different times, though I guess that is no excuse, but i did it, and admit it.
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I remember those times....;)

When I was younger, 303, 30-30, 30-06. My go to gun for the last 20+ years has been an A-bolt in 300WM. For deer, my go to ammo has been handloads with 150gr silver-tips from my dwindling supply. Super accurate and always performed well for me.
 
Sir_dude said:
7.62x39, I usually get in one or two mag changes, eventually they stop moving or at least slow down enough for me to get closer. I find the airated carcass cools down quicker. Moose on the other hand often require the bayonet.
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I'd better not be out in the bush dressed in a deer suit if you are around.:D
 
Win 38-55 said:
I'd better not be out in the bush dressed in a deer suit if you are around.:D
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Sounds like he's a runner 38, that's how I grew up huntin and I've heard more then one mag change from one runner when he runs into a deer...Just gotta know where your watchers and other runners are. I happen to be a runner for my gang, we ain't all hail marry, we still identify our target and know where our men are...Give the feller a break brother;)
 
I like .243 or .308 for beginners, I recommend .243 for guys looking to hunt deer and use it for coyotes on the property but generally like .308 as a good all-a rounder for where I hunt sine the moose and bear are in thick brush and deer is mixed terrain.

That being said I prefer specialized tools for the job and reach for a .257 Weatherby for the open stuff, its just abnormal how spectacularly it performs in open terrain. I'll take a mild-shooting 6.5x55 for the brush as the long, moderate velocity 140's open reliably at short ranges without coming apart or flipping the animal inside out and still has enough reach for longish shots. In the heavy stuff I love a .45/70, it's just the business when you want a big blood trail.
 
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