Favorite deer rifle caliber?

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  • LACamper

    oldbie
    Premium Member
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    4   0   0
    Jun 3, 2007
    8,629
    48
    Metairie, LA
    .303 British from a jungle carbine. Great brush gun! I haven't been hunting in a long time though. If I were starting from scratch I'd probably pick up a Ruger American in .243 or maybe .308 now. I'd put either 4x or 1-5x on it and be happy.
     

    A5BLASTER

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    0   0   0
    Jul 26, 2019
    23
    1
    Zwolle
    Old thread but bringing back to life.

    I have killed deer and hogs with 223,243,25-06,270,308,35 wheelen. All have done their job when I did mine.

    But I tore up my right shoulder a few years back and just can't do them thumpers anymore. And at a point in my life where I don't like smaller then 6.5 mm bullets. So I went the 6.5 grendel route.

    Now I have 1 ar 16 inch grendel as my everything short of 400 yard rifle and a howa mini bolt action grendel for my dedicated hunting/target rig.

    Since moving to this cartridge and getting it figured out. And killing a few animals with both. I just don't feel under gunned on any thing I feel like killing and eating.

    Plus the recoil is so light I can now get even more range time in through the year and keep my shooting skills nice and sharp.
     

    Bangswitch

    Well-Known Member
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    1   0   0
    Jan 10, 2019
    2,221
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    a location near you
    Old thread but bringing back to life.

    I have killed deer and hogs with 223,243,25-06,270,308,35 wheelen. All have done their job when I did mine.

    But I tore up my right shoulder a few years back and just can't do them thumpers anymore. And at a point in my life where I don't like smaller then 6.5 mm bullets. So I went the 6.5 grendel route.

    Now I have 1 ar 16 inch grendel as my everything short of 400 yard rifle and a howa mini bolt action grendel for my dedicated hunting/target rig.

    Since moving to this cartridge and getting it figured out. And killing a few animals with both. I just don't feel under gunned on any thing I feel like killing and eating.

    Plus the recoil is so light I can now get even more range time in through the year and keep my shooting skills nice and sharp.

    I like my Grendel but it doesn’t cut me any slack. Placement is crucial. You need to hit the CNS or heart or you’ve got a runner. Additionally I’ve been disappointed with factory hornady. I’ve been threatening to learn to reload for years. I’ve even bought most the equipment but after a couple unrecovered deer last year I’m going to a solid copper Barnes crammed with as much powder as I can safely load. Hopefully I’m not too dumb to roll my own.:mamoru:
     

    A5BLASTER

    Member
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    0   0   0
    Jul 26, 2019
    23
    1
    Zwolle
    I like my Grendel but it doesn’t cut me any slack. Placement is crucial. You need to hit the CNS or heart or you’ve got a runner. Additionally I’ve been disappointed with factory hornady. I’ve been threatening to learn to reload for years. I’ve even bought most the equipment but after a couple unrecovered deer last year I’m going to a solid copper Barnes crammed with as much powder as I can safely load. Hopefully I’m not too dumb to roll my own.:mamoru:

    I can honestly say I have never had that much trouble putting down a deer with mine. Most I had one run was just short of 15 yards.

    I have loads worked up for some all copper bullets but so far all my kills have been with 100 grain NBT ammo or 120 federal fusion.

    I don't suggest the nbt on bone strikes like high shoulder/spine. And that's where you should be shooting if you want a 100% chance they will drop in their track no matter how big or fast the bullet is going.
     

    Bigchillin83

    Well-Known Member
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    94   0   1
    Feb 27, 2012
    6,187
    113
    Livingston
    I hunt the swamps and bottoms 99% of all my shots are 75yrds and less... and I hate tracking deer in hip boots so I usually use suppressed 45/70 1895g or suppressed encore for primitive
    and just got the encore .45acp to try out this year



    followed by tikka CTR .308 if I get the chance to shoot further than 75yards and yes I pretty much only hunt suppressed now
     

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    Bangswitch

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    1   0   0
    Jan 10, 2019
    2,221
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    a location near you
    Is this the spot where we ask *just how dumb are you?* :eek3:

    :D


    Reloading is a whole new hobby that exists outside of shooting. It is it’s own independent sport that’s fun to do.

    Lol if it can be done wrong I’m bound and determined to prove it can be done. :mamoru:
     

    Bangswitch

    Well-Known Member
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    1   0   0
    Jan 10, 2019
    2,221
    38
    a location near you
    I can honestly say I have never had that much trouble putting down a deer with mine. Most I had one run was just short of 15 yards.

    I have loads worked up for some all copper bullets but so far all my kills have been with 100 grain NBT ammo or 120 federal fusion.

    I don't suggest the nbt on bone strikes like high shoulder/spine. And that's where you should be shooting if you want a 100% chance they will drop in their track no matter how big or fast the bullet is going.

    So you are shooting high shoulder with the solid coppers with good results? That’s definitely what I am hoping for. The ole 30-06 has always been a hang flop proposition. So I have had some heartburn with the Grendel with the ballistic tips. I’m feeling better about putting the Grendel back to work now. Thanks.
     

    Seadonist

    Well-Known Member
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    6   0   0
    Dec 19, 2012
    369
    28
    River Ridge,LA
    I've used a .270 for forty years. Just purchased a 7MM08 for a light kick. I am seventy two and had a rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder.

    That 7-08 is a heck of a deer round. Bought my son one last year. My daughter took her first buck with it; dropped dead in less than 20 yds


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    Stonehenge

    Well-Known Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Nov 5, 2016
    110
    18
    Slaughter
    My deer rifle of choice is a pre-freedom group marlin 336, with a $30 tasco. I usually use hornady american whitetail, its good enough to not have to track anything and reaches 200yds no problem.
     

    Seadonist

    Well-Known Member
    Rating - 100%
    6   0   0
    Dec 19, 2012
    369
    28
    River Ridge,LA
    My trail cam was reading 108 degrees this afternoon


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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