Deer Gun Calibre

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Found

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Location
Rosseau, Ontario
Not you’re normal what deer calibre should I buy but here it goes. I have been hunting for years for deer and get a deer every year with the same 30-06. Well this year today I just got two smaller deer and think the 30-06 is a little big. What would be the ideal calibre for whitetail deer here in central Ontario? I have a 44 Mag but have never shot anything with it and wondered if it would be any better. If you have another calibre you think is better let me know as I always need a reason to buy a new firearm.
 
Sorry, they are mostly broadside shots and sometimes the bullet going from the shoulder or neck and exiting out the chest area. The 30-06 is great but it just seems to make a big mess on smaller deer. We don’t shoot over 50 yards here because you’re lucky to see that far. I was wondering if someone else had a better choice of calibre that didn’t do so much damage.
 
30-06 is fine, maybe switch projectiles??? That could be the reason you are seeing so much damage?

I use 308, but that's just for cartridge compatability, I don't need another caliber in the inventory, chuckle!

Cheers
Jay
 
Use premium bullets. They perform much better than cheaper bullets and result in less meat damage. I have used Nosler Accubonds, Partitions, Barnes TSX and all are really good performers that don't result in a lot of wasted meat. I use a 375 Ruger for everything from small deer and up and have less damaged meat than with the old 30-06 using cheap bullets.

You can never have too much gun.
 
I use the cheaper 180 grain projectiles (Remington Core-Lokt) as they have worked well and we shoot short distances. I figured we didn’t need the premium ammunition at that distance. I was going to try some slower moving 220 grain projectiles in the future.
 
It don't matter what you shoot them with if you shoot them in the ass or the shoulder you will ruin it.at fifty yards you should have no problem hitting it in the ribs or the mother inlaw meat(Neck)
 
Found said:
Sorry, they are mostly broadside shots and sometimes the bullet going from the shoulder or neck and exiting out the chest area. The 30-06 is great but it just seems to make a big mess on smaller deer. We don’t shoot over 50 yards here because you’re lucky to see that far. I was wondering if someone else had a better choice of calibre that didn’t do so much damage.
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Broadside shots don't go through the shoulder or neck... They enter the ribcage, hit the vitals and exit the other side.... This is the shot you need to make if meat is your concern regardless of calibre..
 
Any mid-caliber from .257 thru your .30/06 will do fine... use a good bonded bullet and shot them through the lungs, rib 2 rib.

Edit; I agree with below... Under 100 yards a Pre-64 Win 94 in .30/30 or Savage 99 in .308 or .300 Savage would be a nice handling choice.
 
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50 yards? OK, what round has put more Bambi in the pot than any other? There's a reason thousands upon thousands of guys take a .30/30 to the woods every year - and it ain't nostalgia. Cards read. Under 100, the old gal does everything a man could ask for medium, thin-skinned game (short of field-dressing it, of course). The trente-trente will be doing solid service a century after the current flashy uber-magnums have been forgotten.
 
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