"they" (whoever "they" are) say that in North America more deer have fallen after being hit by a 30-30 out of a lever action rifle than just about any other calibre. I've pretty much always had success with either a 6.5x55 Swede or (when I still had it) a Knight muzzle-loader .54 calibre.
best gun for deer
- Thread starter SoundlessOlive9
- Start date
The rumour is you don't even need to hit the deer with a 50, even if the bullet gets close the shock will get the job done so in theory it is the best (no holes in the hide or bullet fragments to worry about)
A 50BMG might be kind of heavy though. And there is the fact that Blackface banned it.
With the exception that a lot of jurisdictions/provinces say they don't want people hunting big game with anything smaller than a certain size - i.e., most places won't let you hunt (legally) with a .223/5.56
When choosing a "fifle" for deer, you should take into account the size of the deer, as well as how much experience the individual deer have with shooting. Some deer take to it very naturally, whereas others struggle. Most of them have a hard time getting the tips of their hooves into the triggerguard; others are very recoil sensitive. Big bucks can have problems when their antlers interfere with scopes, with eye relief becoming an issue.
Best bet is to take the deer with you to the gunstore, and let them choose something that they like and which fits their physical build and shooting style. And don't forget that in many areas, shotguns (usually shooting "fifled slugs") are required, rather than actual fifles.
You're welcome!
Yeaaahhhhh thats incorrect. The majority of states and provinces that allow bottleneck cartridges allow you to use 22 centerfires on deer.
Welcome to CGN.
Try to narrow it down by answering some questions.
What type of hunting will you do? Short shots in wooded area (30-30), or longer shots (7mmRM, 30-06, 270) in prairies?
What calibre are you comfortable shooting?
Are you going to use that gun for Elk or Moose later on?
Price and availability of ammo?
To me, 30-06 is a good versatile round which fills many of those boxes. Good luck.
Try to narrow it down by answering some questions.
What type of hunting will you do? Short shots in wooded area (30-30), or longer shots (7mmRM, 30-06, 270) in prairies?
What calibre are you comfortable shooting?
Are you going to use that gun for Elk or Moose later on?
Price and availability of ammo?
To me, 30-06 is a good versatile round which fills many of those boxes. Good luck.
Ok. So - this direct quote from the Alberta guide to hunting regulations is wrong?
BIG GAME
It is unlawful to
- Hunt big game with any weapon other than:
- a bow or cross-bow, and arrow or bolt, that are lawful for hunting big game (see page 42),
- a rifle and ammunition that are lawful for hunting big game,
- a muzzle-loading firearm .44 calibre or greater, or
- a shotgun and ammunition that are lawful for hunting big game.
- Set out, use or employ any of the following items for the purpose of hunting big game:
- ammunition of less than .23 calibre,
- ammunition that contains non-expanding bullets,
it's what comes up when you browser search for alberta hunting regulations and click on what comes up. I'll admit to not having lived or hunted in Sask since 1997 so I may not be current, but as of last fall, AB said nothing smaller than .23..
chocol8thunda
Regular
Dude, you dont gotta be a ####. How about give some advice. How about stop being a gun snob?
Alberta is changing their minimum requirements to allow 22 centerfire for the 2025 season. Parts of Ontario allow 22 centerfires according to a previous thread on the topic here.
So yes, this quote of yours above is incorrect. The vast majority of provinces and states that allow hunting with bottleneck cartridges for deer allow 22 centerfires, and greatly out number the places that do not allow it.
Saskatchewan laws are quite different now.
