Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Small area caliber choice?

The recommendations for smaller caliber, higher velocity could bring my 250 SAV more into the game. I have Hornady and Rem 100gr ammo on hand, and a stash of winchester 87gr softpoints. With the Rem 700's 24 in barrel the 87gr loads should step out pretty good.

nope i want a rifle that knocks that deer down right now and noise so people know i am hunting my land. give me my 257 Weatherby Mag or a 264 Win. Mag no pussy foot`n around and just maybe your neighbors will keep their dogs home too then.i went thru this years ago with shooting and noise from rifles i won in court and have now been left alone and they keep their dogs home too.

87 would be as heavy as I would go regardless of caliber/cartridge.

A light fast bullet is very effective on small critters like deer.

Based on the parameters given I'd set up some tree stands and use a 30-30. Although for the anticipated distances we could easily be talking slug gun. Try the shotguns with different slugs and see what works. For many years I hunted areas that were shotgun / handgun only. Fully rifled shotgun barrels were a real game changer when introduced. If I had to replace my current slug gun I'd get a Savage 220 in a heartbeat.... A fully rifled 20 ga. bolt gun that shoots like a rifle; and a 12 ga. sabot isn't absolutely required. 20 ga. sabots work just as good even at a bit over 100 yds.. I've seen it enough to make me want one. But then, that area sounds like a great archery or crossbow spot, also.

357 mag in a rifle

How would the Remington Managed Recoil loads work in 30-30? I think you would be ok with them.
The 357 mag in a rifle would be good too.

Some of our deer aren't all that small. I've taken some that were over 200 lbs field dressed. 87gr is lighter than I'd normally consider.

The 200lb plus deer are rare, but if your gear is set up for small deer your screwed when a bruiser shows up.

Here in New Jersey we are limited to shotguns for deer (or muzzleloaders and bows). I have a Savage bolt action 20 gauge shotgun that is very accurate. Recoil is minimal, and my friends have killed deer with the same shotgun at 200 yards. A 20 gauge slug makes a big hole in a deer. That would be my choice.

Same here. Midwest whitetails.

My largest was about 250# on hoof. Killed with a 60 grain Partition at about 20 steps. A short 40 yard or so semi circle and he was done. Shot through both scapulas. Trying to find a pic of him.

Several 180-200# deer with a 243 or 6mm and an 85 grain Sierra flat base. Rarely run and I get exits about 90% of the time.

Not gearing up for small deer just had to set up our rigs due to the landowners wishes because of houses within 300 yards in 3 directions.

I can only think of 1 shot over 50 yards and most under 30.

If a tree stand is possible use it and any caliber you would normally choose. At close range you’d be shooting at a sharp downward angle. Also, at close range it “should” take just one shot. BOOM - then silence - not like a fire fight breaking out. I wouldn’t think that would bother many neighbors - especially if they’re familiar with you and know that you may be hunting on your property at times.
For 11 years we lived on a small acreage (5-1/2 acres). We had 3 neighbors - all a half mile away. Although I didn’t hunt there (other than whacking the occasional coyote, crow or magpie), I had a safe backstop and did all of my load development and target practice at home. Not once in that 11 years did I hear a complaint.
Of course I had gotten to know my neighbors (all farmers - not acreage owners) and had permission to hunt on their land whenever I pleased.

That’s a very nice buck 10 ga.👍

Hmmm, sounds like a good excuse for buying a Marlin 1894CL in 25-20 or 32-20

For deer?! Be better off dragging out my grandfather's old 38-40, except the barrel is worn out and won't stabilize bullets anymore. Makes interesting noises as they tumble thru the air.

30-30 or 12 gauge slugs. I have had most deer DRT with 160 gr Leverevolution 30-30 but had deer run 75 yards with 12 ga sabot slugs. If you are close to a border even a short run could put a deer on your neighbor's land.

This⬆️, especially if the terrain is flat. If your land is rolling or has ravines, just plan your shooting lanes accordingly.

I'd lean towards your .30/30 with 150gr bullets, but also consider using your slug guns with full-caliber slugs since smoothbores and sabots don't mix. Millions of deer have fallen to regular slugs at ranges up to 100 yards, and the Deerslayer was conceived for just such shooting. Order a selection of slugs from Midway or Grafs and see what your gun(s) like. The modern notion that only rifled slug barrels are worth using only applies to shooting past 100 yards. Be aware, however, that slugs can ricochet just like anything else, worse sometimes, so require the same caution as any other bullet. I like Brenneke slugs best, but Remington Fosters and Federal Tru-balls have shot pretty well in some guns too.

Use whatever, just hunt from ladder stands and shoot downward.

Hunt a less than 20 acre thicket w houses pretty much pn two sides

Other sides are a road and a field...w house a couple hundred yards out.

Treestands and 35 remingtons work well.

Nothing barks as gently as a ML. Black or subs, moderate loads, heavy lead cast soft.

I think that a 20 gauge with a rifled barrel shooting sabot rounds would be quiet enough and Federal makes a soft lead projectile that would minimize the ricochet potential.

If its 20-60 yard shooting Id be using the .223 and head shots. Easy Peasy ....

I'd even down load it a bit....