Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting The best deer cartridge

The 257 Roberts thread made me think of this. I say it’s the 30-06 with the 270 close behind.

I sorta lean toward the 30-06 being an Elk cartridge and the 270 being a perfect deer cartridge.

Depends on where you are hunting deer. There is a world of difference in hunting deer along the river bottoms of AL and 12,000 feet up in the Rocky Mountains of CO. One involves shots measured in feet and the other could involve shots of 400 yards or more.

As for me, since most of my deer hunting is in the west, I'll take the 7mm Mag.

I am a huge fan of 30-06 for whitetail, but I'd be the first to say it is a bit overkill. Overkill is a good thing. If it was one of those "1-Gun Deer Battery Threads" that would be my choice.

If you're looking for the best, my nomination is the 300 Savage. Why not the 30-06? Here is my reasoning.

Most whitetail deer taken by most hunters are taken within 80 yards. At 80 yards, the 300 Savage is just starting to differentiate itself from close-in deer chamberings like the 44 Mag and 30-30. 300 Savage puts them down about as well as you can manage without a lot of recoil-- much less than 30-06

I've got 3 kinds of hunting venues at the farm. When I'm down pounding the ground in cedar thickets, I'm not too worried. Nearly everything works. My all-time favorite for that kind of work has been the 12 GA slug. However, my recently-acquired 44 Mag semi might take that slot. Ditto for my deep woods blinds and stands. At the other end of the spectrum are the few venues that offer a shot more than 200 yards. When I'm out hunting there, I normally carry my 30-06 or 8X57 Mauser. Previously, I also carried my 35 Whelen, but it's honestly too much thunder for too little additional gain.

300 Savage (actually mine is a downloaded 308 WIN) is perfect for in the middle. I have a stand that overlooks where two creeks come together on one side and a hole in the fence leading out into a narrow pasture on the other. Most shots I've taken have been well within 80 yards. Some have been right at the ladder, but occasionally a buck will appear out in the field and I may shoot 150 yards to get there. I have another venue that is midway through a pasture. It is 150+ yards looking one direction and 180 yards going the opposite way. Again the 300 Savage is ideal for that sort of venue. The 300 Savage specs fit right in the sweet spot where I'm most likely to encounter most of my deer.

As a runner up, I would nominate 7mm-08 or 7X57. I don't own one but it is on my bucket list. I've already retired my 35 Whelen from the rotation; it was my high-water mark on recoil. When I get old and wretched enough to want to retire my '06's , I'll start whacking them with 7's.

No, the .270 is clearly the best. Or the .260. Possibly the .243. On the other hand, the .308.

Now that I think about it, the Creedmoor.

for the average person tuff to beat a 30-06, but for a loony it could be any or many cartridges hand loaded in many different rifles .

Ain't no such thing.

I'd say where you hunt would be the most important factor. For deer in my state the 243,6mm Rem, and 25-06 are tops IMHO. I have two 243s but also use other rifles.

Oh good Lord, here we go again. 'Tis the season!
Oh, and I agree with hanco, 30-06 is the best...

If you handload,it's hard to beat a 280 or 280 Ackley.

If you don't then 6.5 Creedmoor,270,7mm-08,and 308 are all perfect.

I think the 30-06 is perfect but does recoil more than the others that I've mentioned. It may not be the perfect deer cartridge but it is the perfect all around cartridge for North America,having kiled innumerable elk,moose,and big bears.

Best is nothing more than a matter of opinion.

IMHO:

308 Winchester



( I like 180 grain flat-base bullets with it).

As others said, its all in where and how ya hunt! Hunting a in a thick area where most shots are under 50yds and 100 is max, a 30-30, 35 Rem or even 444 Marlin in a short, handy lever gun may be the ticket. Carry that same chambering in an open area and you may be at a disadvantage! My most common cartridge carried while deer hunting is one of my various rifles in 7-08. In fact I own more rifles chambered in 7-08 then any other. For me the 140 Fusion factory ammo has been absolutely effective on whitetails.

Something between the .257 Roberts and the 7x57 Mauser should be the sweet spot. Mild .30’s fit the bill also.

The thing between a 257 Roberts and a 7x57 is a 6.5x57. All three cartridges use the same basic case.

I actually knew a guy who had a Steyr 6.5x57. He liked it a lot.

The cartridge that shoots in the gun in my hands at the time of the hunt is obviously "the best".

Whatever rifle is in your hand when the buck steps out...

300 mag 180 bonded bullet

I prefer the .30-06 but if I only was a deer hunter I'd probably go with the 270 Win.