rossman Posted October 26, 2005 Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 The only rifle I have is a .300 weatherby magnum. Due to new laws in New York State, we can use rifles for deer in my county. I was wondering, what is the best rifle cartridge for deer? I bought my .300 weatherby for elk. It shoots great, but would any of you buy a new gun just for deer? If so, what kind? Rossman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted October 26, 2005 Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? My favorite is the Browning A-Bolt Medallion either in .270 or .30-06. I have the .270, and my father has the .30-06. The .30-06 will give you much more bullet choices. Plus its a good all-around multi-species rifle. But in the .270 I use the 130 grain spitzer boat-tail. In all the deer I shot so far they longest deer only went 20 yards. But as long as either gun gets a good placement shot they wont go far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWiggely Posted October 26, 2005 Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? Your gun will work great for deer. I believe the most popular guns are .300, .270, . 25-06, and 30-06. Although the .243 and 30-30 do very well as well as .308 and 7mm08 Wigs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master_Chief Posted October 26, 2005 Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? Agree with MrW. I don't think there is a "perfect" choice as terrains/situations etc. change. I don't think a bolt action .270 would be the best brush gun but then I don't think a lever action 30-30 would do much good at 300 yards either. Just my $.02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lostiniowa Posted October 26, 2005 Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? I love my .243 its very accurate and very lite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted October 26, 2005 Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? I love my .243 too, but considering energy, range, bullet weight/size, ballistics and recoil. I would probibly have gotten a 7mm-08 if I had known about the cartrige when I got my 243. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gwv Posted October 26, 2005 Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? I use a 270. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrud Posted October 26, 2005 Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? I currently have a Savage 110 .30-06. I'd like to get a TC Encore with a Hardwoods HD stock and stainless barrell sooner or later. I will probably get it in a .30-06 or .300 Mag and a .25-06 or .260. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Xen Posted October 26, 2005 Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? your gun will work just fine for deer, i'd look for a bullet weight around 140-160 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaCoyote Posted October 26, 2005 Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? the perfect deer rifle for me would be way different than the perfect rifle for others. I know a guy that hunts with his 45-70 and absolutely loves it as his shots are always under 100 yards. But I hunt open farm country that is commonly windy and shots average at about 175 but can stretch out further. I need a bullet with a little weight to help buck wind and one that shoots reasonably flat. I use a 30-06 which I love but a 7mm mag would be perfect in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierbuck Posted October 26, 2005 Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? Deer don't have thumbs. I have never seen a deer handle a rifle well. I don't think there is a perfect rifle for deer. HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Finn Posted October 26, 2005 Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? 243, 7mm-08, 270, 308, 30-06.....or just use the 300 Mag you have. It's all personal preference. My preference is my Browning .270 A-bolt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beagleboy Posted October 26, 2005 Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? I stick with the rifle you have especially if you are accurate with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowhunt101 Posted October 26, 2005 Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? Im shooting a 30-06 right now but I used to shoot a 30-30, I like most guns but I do have my opinions.... The 300 Weatherby you are shooting right now will work great on just about any big game I would think.... And it has the bonus extra knock down.... I like a gun with enough power to knock one in the dirt so Im figuring on my next gun being either a BAR 7mm or a BAR 300.... Dont know yet but I hope you have good luck with your gun, find the right load/bullet for it and topped it off with a good quality scope and it will be all that is needed for most biggame.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted October 26, 2005 Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? I'd say anything in the .270, .308, or .30-06 range is perfect for deer. Some people like the big magnums.... like me! I use a Browning BLR .300 WSM or a Remington 700 BDL .300 Win Mag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Danbo Posted October 26, 2005 Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? heck, the .300 Mag is plenty and good for lots of other game too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lilcrackshot Posted October 26, 2005 Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? Remington Model 7600 30-06. Despite others opinions I think it is just as accurate as any commercial grade bolt-action and is fast shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 27, 2005 Report Share Posted October 27, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? Having grown up just down the road from you I know that 300 yard shots really don't exist much. When I have moved to the northern zone 15 years ago I had to learn about rifles and a whole different way of hunting. With what I know now, having hunted in the southern zone for many years, I would recommend the 30-30 or a .243. My 2¢ Ranger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLH Posted October 27, 2005 Report Share Posted October 27, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? I consider the .270 to be the best deer rifle, but that is JMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest asilvia68 Posted October 27, 2005 Report Share Posted October 27, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? 30-06 IMO is the best but it really is up to the shooter. Believe it or not I use an old US Army M1. Tough finding the clips when they wear out but such an awesome rifle. I do not use a scope and have kept with iron sights. 200-300 yrds is no problem with this gun. On the down side the thing is so dang heavy...LMBO but heck its a classic and always been my favorite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joebobhunter4 Posted October 27, 2005 Report Share Posted October 27, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? .270 30-06 .260 .243 i shoot 7mm-08 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimT Posted October 27, 2005 Report Share Posted October 27, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? I would never use a .300 Weatherby for deer. Way to much gun. You need a .270, .308, 30-06, or something similar. Oh ya..The reason why I would never use the .300 is because you really need another rifle, and an excuse to get one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSU_Seminole Posted October 27, 2005 Report Share Posted October 27, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? [ QUOTE ] The only rifle I have is a .300 weatherby magnum. Due to new laws in New York State, we can use rifles for deer in my county. I was wondering, what is the best rifle cartridge for deer? I bought my .300 weatherby for elk. It shoots great, but would any of you buy a new gun just for deer? If so, what kind? Rossman [/ QUOTE ] Rossman nothing is really "wrong" with a 300 mag especially if you're routinely shooting over 200 yards. But if you are hunting in thick brush, big woods & that sorta thing any rifle from a 25-06 to a 30.06 is perfect for deer. What I consider the perfect gun & calibur is the calibur & gun in which you the hunter can shoot accurately over & over. I own probably the 3 most popular caliburs on the market right now. 30.06, .270 & a 7mm Mag. For me personally my favorite is the 30.06 for the conditions I hunt & because the 06 is so versitale. But nothing is "wrong" with the other rounds. I can drive tacks with all 3. Today's premium factory bullets are so advanced that calibur selection really doesn't matter for whitetail hunting as long as its a .243 & above. I've read stories in Field & Stream of guys dropping Caribo at 250 yards with a .270 with 1 shot. I've seen on tv a 14 year old girl drop a 225 pound 180 class buck with 1 shot from a 25.06 at 125 yards. If you buy a new rifle buy one that feels "right" in your hands & one to where you can stand its recoil over & over. If you already shoot a 300 you'll be fine with any of the ones already mentioned in this thread. As for make, my personal tastes I lean toward Brownings & Remingtons but I'm trying to save up for a Sako. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 28, 2005 Report Share Posted October 28, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? Have been really happy with the performance of the .270. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted October 28, 2005 Report Share Posted October 28, 2005 Re: Perfect rifle for deer? Anything from .243 Winchester and up will work just fine for deer. Lets be realistic folks. Onc the bullet passes through, all the "knock down power" people talk about is wasted. I have killed deer with many gun sfrom .243 Win to 45-70 and they all worked fine. Match your cartridge, bullet choice, and gun to your environment and you are good to go. Your 300 Wby is fine for deer. I have used it for many years. Unless you are shooting over 400 yards it is no better or worse than any smaller cartridge though. Check out my Cartridge Comparison thread. They are all good choices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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