deer rifle

[Pickles]

Obviously a 7.62x39.

 

[saskcop]

.30-06.

 

[Woodsman]

There's no such thing as the "best". Almost all calibers from .243 on up will do the job quite well. Rifle choice based on preferred action type and terrain being hunted is more important.

 

[stuckon308]

My .308 150gr just tore the heart and lungs out of a big doe yesterday..... I consider it to be the best. But that's because it's mine. There is no definitive answer. Just a bunch of calibers that have been proven.

 

[grunt19]

308

 

[redryder]

Hard to beat a .260. Light recoil, large selection of bullets, made in some nice light to carry rifles.

 

[Brandon]

.30-06.

 

[weldboss]

What is best caliber rifle to have for deer hunting ONLY?

Way to open that can of worms, I bet you are even more confused now

 

[Glock4ever]

.308 Win. I use one and it works really well - killed 3 does and a buck with it.

 

[Grizzlypeg]

I've used 243, 30-30, 44 mag, 6.5x55, 50 cal muzzleloader and 308 and they all work fine. The only caveat I would add is that 44 mag had a less forgiving trajectory, dropping faster than the others, and required more skill at range estimation and discretion in passing up a shot. I'm currently using 308 in a bolt action (and sometimes an autoloader) and plan to stick with it. I have a 300 wm, but havent shot a deer with it yet. Might use it on a long shot where I have the right setup, an open field, something to rest it on, no need to carry the rifle far (as its a heavy barrel).

 

[wade]

another vote for 2506, next to 257 weatherby, mule deer at longer range with light recoil, of course the bigger calibers will work to, have fun looking i have taken 40 years and am still looking,, wade

 

[blargon]

.257 roberts, .25-06, .260 rem, or 6.5x55 would be hard to beat as an exclusive deer rifles...

 

[Dogleg]

Living in the plains as we do, and for deer (As per OP) only I'd tend to lean toward the .257 Weatherby. My kid is up to 8 straight 1SKs with his, including 3 sets of doubles. He doesn't turn 14 for another month.
Negligable recoil, guitar string trajectory and killing power that belies it's tiny little bullet make it the whole thing child's play. From the point of view of a dad plastered to a set of binos, there's no mistaking whether his shot was good.

 

[Budweiser2]

It's the 25/06 or the 270 for me.

 

[powder burner]

Deer dont get any deader than dead. Vehicles seem to work well.


I'll throw one in for the 7mm08, I may be a little biased though.


What doesnt work well for deer?

 

[crazydave]

308 win is a good rifle for deer, ammo availabe for cheap,low recoil, almost every place carries ammo for it.

 

[john-brennan]

The rifle that you shoot the most accurately under hunting conditions not off the bench, deer are easy to kill if you place the bullet in the right spot, all the calibres mentioned are good in that case.

 

[SuperCub]

I am thinking nothing less then .30 cal, in a short mag. Unless you have the option of ultra mag.

Get real! We're talking deer rifle here. You think you need a 300Mag or UltraMag for deer?

Why not just go the full route and recommend nothing less than a 338 Lapua.


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[SuperCub]

What is best caliber rifle to have for deer hunting ONLY?

Are you a new shooter?
Any problems with recoil?
Do you handload?
Where do you hunt?
What type of hunting do you like to do?



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