Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger
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So, like I said I am trying to make this the year I actually get out deer hunting, did it twice when I was a kid in upstate NY but that was almost 25 years ago. I am looking at a rifle that is good for deer and possibly Elk. Right now I am looking between 7mm, 30-06, or 6.5 Creedmoor. I don’t care much about preserving for the mount, more concerned with the ability to possibly go after larger game.
Hopefully I am not about to start a riot.
Jonathon great discussion here. Just an FYI, my MOS in the Marine Corps was 8541. Thats the designator for Scott Sniper. I by no means pretend to know everything about ballistics or firearms, but I’ve used them (firearms) professionally for over 3 decades and picked up a few tricks along the way from people alot smarter than me. I can tell you that every caliber mentioned here would do the job on the large game in North America if used properly with the right ammo. What you may want to consider is the cost of quality ammo for the long term in the caliber you chose. processhead hit the nail on the head; most of this boils down to marksmanship so factor in practice ammo. I zero and train with the exact round I hunt with. I will also add that putting the proper glass (scope) on the rifle is IMHO is as important as the brand of rifle and caliber. Most quality modern rifles will outshoot the shooter. I know it sounds like getting a bigger gun/caliber would do it all, but I’m a firm believer in using the right tool for the job. I would take any of these recommendations and figure out how far you plan on making your average shot and base my decision on that with the game you want to take down. Keep in mind that some of the bigger bore rifles in a bolt action will slap the taste out of your mouth. Also look at the overall weight of the weapon and how far you plan on humping into the woods with it. My 2 cents. I hope this helps some.
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Jonathon great discussion here. Just an FYI, my MOS in the Marine Corps was 8541. Thats the designator for Scott Sniper. I by no means pretend to know everything about ballistics or firearms, but I’ve used them (firearms) professionally for over 3 decades and picked up a few tricks along the way from people alot smarter than me. I can tell you that every caliber mentioned here would do the job on the large game in North America if used properly with the right ammo. What you may want to consider is the cost of quality ammo for the long term in the caliber you chose. processhead hit the nail on the head; most of this boils down to marksmanship so factor in practice ammo. I zero and train with the exact round I hunt with. I will also add that putting the proper glass (scope) on the rifle is IMHO is as important as the brand of rifle and caliber. Most quality modern rifles will outshoot the shooter. I know it sounds like getting a bigger gun/caliber would do it all, but I’m a firm believer in using the right tool for the job. I would take any of these recommendations and figure out how far you plan on making your average shot and base my decision on that with the game you want to take down. Keep in mind that some of the bigger bore rifles in a bolt action will slap the taste out of your mouth. Also look at the overall weight of the weapon and how far you plan on humping into the woods with it. My 2 cents. I hope this helps some.
GWG8541 More Excellent Points. I suppose we just cannot say enough, beyond practice, practice, practice, & then some more. Of course like GWG8541 said head on & I alluded to, make sure you have something you are comfortable with, so you will still be interested in practicing tomorrow. Without that, it all a NO GO. Well, unless you are just a flat out BA.
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GWG8541 More Excellent Points. I suppose we just cannot say enough, beyond practice, practice, practice, & then some more. Of course like GWG8541 said head on & I alluded to, make sure you have something you are comfortable with, so you will still be interested in practicing tomorrow. Without that, it all a NO GO. Well, unless you are just a flat out BA.
calldoctoday or stupid, sometimes being stupid helps better than being a BA.
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calldoctoday or stupid, sometimes being stupid helps better than being a BA.
GWG8541 OK, I will buy that! I am really laughing hard now.
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So, like I said I am trying to make this the year I actually get out deer hunting, did it twice when I was a kid in upstate NY but that was almost 25 years ago. I am looking at a rifle that is good for deer and possibly Elk. Right now I am looking between 7mm, 30-06, or 6.5 Creedmoor. I don’t care much about preserving for the mount, more concerned with the ability to possibly go after larger game.
Hopefully I am not about to start a riot.
Jonathon I agree with Tex_77 about the Meat Eater site and processhead makes several good points. I have shot and taken several large game animals with many different calibers. Personally I am partial to the 30-06 because it’s wide range of bullet weights, ammo available, cost, etc… Magnums have the umph…, will reach out and deliver, but you need to be proficient to use it’s capabilities. The farther you shoot the more weather, wind, placement, etc… becomes a bigger factor. The cost of the ammo and finding what you practiced with on the road can be sketchy. They are typically heavier which you will notice after a day in the field. Then there is the recoil, I have never noticed it taking game, but by round 5 at the range it becomes very noticeable. Find a friend that shoots and try out what they have, bring some ammo to use or replace and learn what you like and dislike. Once you buy one firearm you will want to buy another.
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My two cents.
I think a lot of it comes down to the terrain you are hunting. Brush, wooded, swamp or open fields. Distance you ae shooting is a factor. For instance, heavily wooded land doesn’t require a large caliber or “faster” round, where as, open range does.I’ve used a Marlin 30-30 for the last forty years as does my one son. Our typical shot is less than a 100 yards. My other two sons use a 30-06 and 7mm. They all do the job. No tracking required.
Ultimately, you want the knock down power.
PapaSop said in Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger:
My two cents.
I think a lot of it comes down to the terrain you are hunting. Brush, wooded, swamp or open fields. Distance you ae shooting is a factor. For instance, heavily wooded land doesn’t require a large caliber or “faster” round, where as, open range does.I’ve used a Marlin 30-30 for the last forty years as does my one son. Our typical shot is less than a 100 yards. My other two sons use a 30-06 and 7mm. They all do the job. No tracking required.
Ultimately, you want the knock down power.
I love my Marlin 30-30. I don’t shoot it near as much as I used to. If your in close quarter combat with a deer, nothing blows a leg off like a 30-30.
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PapaSop said in Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger:
My two cents.
I think a lot of it comes down to the terrain you are hunting. Brush, wooded, swamp or open fields. Distance you ae shooting is a factor. For instance, heavily wooded land doesn’t require a large caliber or “faster” round, where as, open range does.I’ve used a Marlin 30-30 for the last forty years as does my one son. Our typical shot is less than a 100 yards. My other two sons use a 30-06 and 7mm. They all do the job. No tracking required.
Ultimately, you want the knock down power.
I love my Marlin 30-30. I don’t shoot it near as much as I used to. If your in close quarter combat with a deer, nothing blows a leg off like a 30-30.
Grimpuppy if I am in the cedar swamps that is my gun of choice. I did shoot one at 300yds across a farm field. Didn’t have the energy to knock him down, but did take out both lungs. Had to do some tracking, but all ended well.
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PapaSop said in Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger:
My two cents.
I think a lot of it comes down to the terrain you are hunting. Brush, wooded, swamp or open fields. Distance you ae shooting is a factor. For instance, heavily wooded land doesn’t require a large caliber or “faster” round, where as, open range does.I’ve used a Marlin 30-30 for the last forty years as does my one son. Our typical shot is less than a 100 yards. My other two sons use a 30-06 and 7mm. They all do the job. No tracking required.
Ultimately, you want the knock down power.
I love my Marlin 30-30. I don’t shoot it near as much as I used to. If your in close quarter combat with a deer, nothing blows a leg off like a 30-30.
Grimpuppy since I got a doe tag this year I am going to use my Grandpa’s Winchester 94 in 30-30. He shot many deer with that gun. I was with him when he shot his last deer and that was around 1990. He gave me that gun in about 2000. I’m really looking forward to it just because of the connection to him. I know he will be with me in spirit.
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PapaSop said in Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger:
My two cents.
I think a lot of it comes down to the terrain you are hunting. Brush, wooded, swamp or open fields. Distance you ae shooting is a factor. For instance, heavily wooded land doesn’t require a large caliber or “faster” round, where as, open range does.I’ve used a Marlin 30-30 for the last forty years as does my one son. Our typical shot is less than a 100 yards. My other two sons use a 30-06 and 7mm. They all do the job. No tracking required.
Ultimately, you want the knock down power.
I love my Marlin 30-30. I don’t shoot it near as much as I used to. If your in close quarter combat with a deer, nothing blows a leg off like a 30-30.
Grimpuppy Great guns, I have two of them.
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Thanks to all of you who responded. I have a few people here who have 30-06, .243, Creedmoor, 7mm and 308 so I am going to try to get a range day going where I can try a few out, see what I like the best. Big advantage the 30-06 has for me right now is that I know someone who got a case of Amo when someone in their family passed and they don’t shoot much, so I “should” be able to talk them into letting me buy that off of them.
twilliams Yeah, I was a little worried about this but in the end, as usual, the community kept to our respect each other and help each other ways and everything was friendly! Also I was looking bolt action, I don’t want/need it to shoot semi and I am planning on 200 yards and under for the deer. A $6,000 gun is quite the investment but in the end I’d imagine that the price on it is probably now above that? YooperDog yeah, weight is a slight factor but I know where I would be hunting this year and while it is big the terrain is fairly easy to navigate, not going into the Mountains or anything, just a few rolling hills. GWG8541 Thanks for the breakdown and the input on the glass, this has been stated numerous times to me by people here as well so I am looking at buying a rifle on the lower end of my range so I can spend more on the optics.
Get more help with your processing questions and learn more about processing meat by subscribing to our waltonsinc.com youtube page at https://wltns.link/waltonstv I am a Gorilla, love yourself
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Thanks to all of you who responded. I have a few people here who have 30-06, .243, Creedmoor, 7mm and 308 so I am going to try to get a range day going where I can try a few out, see what I like the best. Big advantage the 30-06 has for me right now is that I know someone who got a case of Amo when someone in their family passed and they don’t shoot much, so I “should” be able to talk them into letting me buy that off of them.
twilliams Yeah, I was a little worried about this but in the end, as usual, the community kept to our respect each other and help each other ways and everything was friendly! Also I was looking bolt action, I don’t want/need it to shoot semi and I am planning on 200 yards and under for the deer. A $6,000 gun is quite the investment but in the end I’d imagine that the price on it is probably now above that? YooperDog yeah, weight is a slight factor but I know where I would be hunting this year and while it is big the terrain is fairly easy to navigate, not going into the Mountains or anything, just a few rolling hills. GWG8541 Thanks for the breakdown and the input on the glass, this has been stated numerous times to me by people here as well so I am looking at buying a rifle on the lower end of my range so I can spend more on the optics.
Jonathon I think just about any modern manufacturer produces a very accurate and affordable option these days. I remember in the 90/early 2000’s when I started hunting that the Remington models just couldn’t be beat. Unfortunately, I think their lineup has gone downhill lately but I haven’t kept up on Remington lately. Since their quality declined I had been looking at Savage, which other have mentioned, and I personally needed up going with Ruger in my last rifle purchase. I went with their American Ranch line which is light weight and short but I was in the market for 300Blk so light and short fits the bill there. The Ruger American lineup is pretty affordable. I don’t know if you can beat Vortex optics for the money either.
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Thanks to all of you who responded. I have a few people here who have 30-06, .243, Creedmoor, 7mm and 308 so I am going to try to get a range day going where I can try a few out, see what I like the best. Big advantage the 30-06 has for me right now is that I know someone who got a case of Amo when someone in their family passed and they don’t shoot much, so I “should” be able to talk them into letting me buy that off of them.
twilliams Yeah, I was a little worried about this but in the end, as usual, the community kept to our respect each other and help each other ways and everything was friendly! Also I was looking bolt action, I don’t want/need it to shoot semi and I am planning on 200 yards and under for the deer. A $6,000 gun is quite the investment but in the end I’d imagine that the price on it is probably now above that? YooperDog yeah, weight is a slight factor but I know where I would be hunting this year and while it is big the terrain is fairly easy to navigate, not going into the Mountains or anything, just a few rolling hills. GWG8541 Thanks for the breakdown and the input on the glass, this has been stated numerous times to me by people here as well so I am looking at buying a rifle on the lower end of my range so I can spend more on the optics.
Jonathon said in Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger:
A $6,000 gun is quite the investment but in the end I’d imagine that the price on it is probably now above that? Thanks for the breakdown and the input on the glass, this has been stated numerous times to me by people here as well so I am looking at buying a rifle on the lower end of my range so I can spend more on the optics.
I think your budget is quite liberal. Everyone’s tastes run different, but I think you could put together a high quality scope/rifle combination that would satisfy every deer/elk hunting situation you will encounter for 1/2 to 1/3 that amount and have money left over for ammo and accessories.
Paul
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Jonathon said in Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger:
A $6,000 gun is quite the investment but in the end I’d imagine that the price on it is probably now above that? Thanks for the breakdown and the input on the glass, this has been stated numerous times to me by people here as well so I am looking at buying a rifle on the lower end of my range so I can spend more on the optics.
I think your budget is quite liberal. Everyone’s tastes run different, but I think you could put together a high quality scope/rifle combination that would satisfy every deer/elk hunting situation you will encounter for 1/2 to 1/3 that amount and have money left over for ammo and accessories.
processhead I agree with that, Jonathon who cares if you have a 6K gun if you put junk optics on it, you won’t be able to see when it’s most important(low light situations).
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My Savage 110E which I got when I was 14 cost my Dad about $150.00 brand new. I have shot over 75 whitetails with it, 1 mule deer buck, and 1 bull elk. But one thing Savages are know for is accuracy out of the box. It may not be the prettiest rifle in the world but it has been getting the job done for a long time now. I’m more of a plain jane guy. I like things that just work and keep going! I bought all of my kids Savage Axis IIs and after the rebate each gun was $300. Took them out to the range and in no time was shooting a hole in a hole with them and with the cheap scope that came on them. I will upgrade the scope but I was really impressed with how well it shot. It was fun watching my 10 year old son shoot a .270 Win at a bench. He put three shots in a 1 inch group!!!
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My Savage 110E which I got when I was 14 cost my Dad about $150.00 brand new. I have shot over 75 whitetails with it, 1 mule deer buck, and 1 bull elk. But one thing Savages are know for is accuracy out of the box. It may not be the prettiest rifle in the world but it has been getting the job done for a long time now. I’m more of a plain jane guy. I like things that just work and keep going! I bought all of my kids Savage Axis IIs and after the rebate each gun was $300. Took them out to the range and in no time was shooting a hole in a hole with them and with the cheap scope that came on them. I will upgrade the scope but I was really impressed with how well it shot. It was fun watching my 10 year old son shoot a .270 Win at a bench. He put three shots in a 1 inch group!!!
ND Mike functional tools, right-of-passage, opens up all sorts of family bonding opportunities, teaches responsibility and the value of life/seriousness of harvesting that life and honor for the animals harvested by treating their resources correctly.
Matt W.
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ND Mike functional tools, right-of-passage, opens up all sorts of family bonding opportunities, teaches responsibility and the value of life/seriousness of harvesting that life and honor for the animals harvested by treating their resources correctly.
@matt-westerhaus I fully agree. Hunting for me has changed. It is not even about harvesting the animal anymore. It is more about being there with my kids, my wife, my Dad, my brothers, and my nieces and nephews. I love the fact that my kids want to be there with their Grandpa just like I did with my Grandpa.
This is one of the reasons I am a volunteer Hunters Education Teacher for the ND Game and Fish. I do it to give back to the sport and to get more hunters involved in creating family traditions and memories. This is my 24th year of teaching.
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@matt-westerhaus I fully agree. Hunting for me has changed. It is not even about harvesting the animal anymore. It is more about being there with my kids, my wife, my Dad, my brothers, and my nieces and nephews. I love the fact that my kids want to be there with their Grandpa just like I did with my Grandpa.
This is one of the reasons I am a volunteer Hunters Education Teacher for the ND Game and Fish. I do it to give back to the sport and to get more hunters involved in creating family traditions and memories. This is my 24th year of teaching.
ND Mike nice! Awesome way to give back!
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Jonathon said in Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger:
A $6,000 gun is quite the investment but in the end I’d imagine that the price on it is probably now above that? Thanks for the breakdown and the input on the glass, this has been stated numerous times to me by people here as well so I am looking at buying a rifle on the lower end of my range so I can spend more on the optics.
I think your budget is quite liberal. Everyone’s tastes run different, but I think you could put together a high quality scope/rifle combination that would satisfy every deer/elk hunting situation you will encounter for 1/2 to 1/3 that amount and have money left over for ammo and accessories.
processhead i think your misunderstanding, Jonathon didnt say his buget was $6000 he was referencing when i said my setup was $6000. My gun was $2600 and the scope is a Swarovski Xi5 5-25×56 which was $3200. That is the finest glass you will find. So with that and accessories was a total of $6000. I am in no way telling anyone to go out and pay that for a rifle. It is my choice and knowing what i want it to achieve. I religiously go by the theory of you get what you pay for…within reason and budget.
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Thanks to all of you who responded. I have a few people here who have 30-06, .243, Creedmoor, 7mm and 308 so I am going to try to get a range day going where I can try a few out, see what I like the best. Big advantage the 30-06 has for me right now is that I know someone who got a case of Amo when someone in their family passed and they don’t shoot much, so I “should” be able to talk them into letting me buy that off of them.
twilliams Yeah, I was a little worried about this but in the end, as usual, the community kept to our respect each other and help each other ways and everything was friendly! Also I was looking bolt action, I don’t want/need it to shoot semi and I am planning on 200 yards and under for the deer. A $6,000 gun is quite the investment but in the end I’d imagine that the price on it is probably now above that? YooperDog yeah, weight is a slight factor but I know where I would be hunting this year and while it is big the terrain is fairly easy to navigate, not going into the Mountains or anything, just a few rolling hills. GWG8541 Thanks for the breakdown and the input on the glass, this has been stated numerous times to me by people here as well so I am looking at buying a rifle on the lower end of my range so I can spend more on the optics.
Jonathon Remember you may also want to eventually want to hunt elk and that is where the weight will matter, hiking mountains will always make you want to keep the weight down.
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processhead i think your misunderstanding, Jonathon didnt say his buget was $6000 he was referencing when i said my setup was $6000. My gun was $2600 and the scope is a Swarovski Xi5 5-25×56 which was $3200. That is the finest glass you will find. So with that and accessories was a total of $6000. I am in no way telling anyone to go out and pay that for a rifle. It is my choice and knowing what i want it to achieve. I religiously go by the theory of you get what you pay for…within reason and budget.
twilliams said in Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger:
processhead i think your misunderstanding, Jonathon didnt say his buget was $6000 he was referencing when i said my setup was $6000. My gun was $2600 and the scope is a Swarovski Xi5 5-25×56 which was $3200. That is the finest glass you will find. So with that and accessories was a total of $6000. I am in no way telling anyone to go out and pay that for a rifle. It is my choice and knowing what i want it to achieve. I religiously go by the theory of you get what you pay for…within reason and budget.
Yes, you are right. I misread the post.
I respect your choices. There is some real satisfaction in using good optics, whether it be a rifle scope, binoculars, or spotting scope. Good, bright optics also play an important function as we get older and blinder. lol
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