Best deer caliber

Trimmer 905 said:
More Deer have been taken by hunters using a Winchester 94 or Marlin 336C in 30-30 than all of the other calibers combined. Running a close second would likely be .308Win and .30-06Spr.
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In Europe, 7x57, 8x57 and 6.5x55 (Scandinavia) would be the front runners, though 243, 270 and 308/30-06 are gaining in popularity.
 
Over 50% of the 225+ big game animals I killed was with the good old 30-06 Springfield. The remainder of big game I killed was with various other cartridges. I tip my hat to the 30-06.
 
hoytcanon said:
I have fallen into the habit of drawing the .358's for everything over the past 3 or 4 years... other than a blip with a mountain goat... I tend to do that, fall into cycles with cartridges, it was the 7X57 a few years before that... have not touched my M77 Mark II Express .30/06 in years, even though we all know it is the perfect "all-rounder." I gave it an oiling an polishing and as usual fell in love all over again, may take it for spring bear this year... the problem.is always the same, new shiny things catch my attention and gobble up my available time.
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Have any pics of that express 3006? Always wanted one off those
 
Different strokes for different folks.

I have a fairly flat-shooting .270 Win for mixed territory. Browning BAR. Super accurate, fast follow up (never needed). It's a bit heavy but points nice, and it like the 140Gr Accubond CT loads from Winchester, solid all around package.

I have a real flat-shooting Vanguard in .257 Wby Mag which is just a bit heavier, just a tad longer, with just a slightly more powerful scope. It's a laser, and a bit of a flamethrower. Premium bullets across huge fields, no problem.

I have a Model 700 Mountain Rifle in .243 Win that weighs next to nothing and only hits hard on one end, the receiving end. With a compact 2-8x variable it's just fine as far out as I usually shoot. It prefers the 100gr Partition loaded hot and hammers deer.

I have a Model 70 Ranger in .30-06 that I like to carry if I think there might be something with an appetite to discourage. Stout 180gr loads push it a little over 2800 fps. Kicks like a mule. I shot a deer once with it, it hit the ground so fast it beat the sound of the impact coming back at maybe 100 yards.

There's so many variables to consider for each scenario, the best answer is usually "the one you have". But if I had to choose, which I don't, I'd probably stick with my BAR. I just like it.
 
hoytcanon said:
I have fallen into the habit of drawing the .358's for everything over the past 3 or 4 years... other than a blip with a mountain goat... I tend to do that, fall into cycles with cartridges, it was the 7X57 a few years before that... have not touched my M77 Mark II Express .30/06 in years, even though we all know it is the perfect "all-rounder." I gave it an oiling an polishing and as usual fell in love all over again, may take it for spring bear this year... the problem.is always the same, new shiny things catch my attention and gobble up my available time.
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It is a very good chambering for a lot of game, deer included. :)
 
Been on a weight diet recently and acquired a Kimber Montana in 7mm-08. I love 7mm rounds as I like to stay above 140gr for deer. 7mm-08 offers the right recoil for a 6lb scoped rifle and I love it. Before this I used a 7.5lb xbolt in 308, 165gr bonded tip dropped everything it touches and a great balance of power and recoil.
 
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