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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 14,019 Likes: 7
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 14,019 Likes: 7 |
Best is nothing more than a matter of opinion. So what? That's what talk forums are largely about.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,243 Likes: 11
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,243 Likes: 11 |
I think "best" is what ya holding when ya deer huntin'... I have a safe full of "best" deer rifles, from .223 to .375 H&H, not many "gaps" in between.... For a reloader, that's a bunch of options, a lot of "best" scenarios. I don't typically shoot the same combo very long, often more than one round/load in a season.. Guess I'm more of a gun Loony, hunting is my test lab. And, I like to eat... DF
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,313 Likes: 4
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,313 Likes: 4 |
Whatever is in your hands when you see the BEST buck you've ever seen. "Best" is a concept for the inexperienced...
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,608
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,608 |
The simple answer for me is 308 and it's good out to 600 yards when I dial for drop. The majority of cartridges are capable of much more than what the average hunter utilizes so in reality the extra you get isn't needed or utilized. It's like saying " what's the best car to drive 50 mph? "all of them will do it, it's just your preference on what matters. Comfort, fuel economy or whatever. Rifles for hunting are pretty much the same, it's whatever floats your boat.
Beware of any old man in a profession where one usually dies young.
Calm seas don't make sailors.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29,708 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29,708 Likes: 6 |
Yep. I love the .257 Rob. Best all around NA big game cartridge would have to be .30-06.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,762
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,762 |
I like a .300 Win but the good ol 30-06 cant be beat 👍....Hb
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 19,328 Likes: 27
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 19,328 Likes: 27 |
.338 Lapua just in case you have to take a 1200 yard shot at the South end of a North bound buck to fill your tag. Don't want to be under gunned in that critical, now or never situation. It needs to be chambered in a 4 lb. rifle too cuz you need to figger in that 3 lb. 6-50X60mm tactical scope you'll need for those 1200 yard shots and you don't want to risk a strained muscle if you have to climb a mountain.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179 |
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! IMO mark (I don’t know him) has given the ‘best’ answer to the ‘best deer cartridge’ question. Nearly all cartridges will kill deer under ‘some’ conditions. ?someone? Said “the rifle you had in Your hands when you killed your best buck” In my case that would be my Win 70 Black Shadow in 300 WM AND it was the FIRST morning I took it hunting !! True. I do not own A short range deer rifle. I like a rifle that works at 12 yds, feet! < EDIT ----(my closest kill) out to 400 yds. That’s my comfort confidence distance. Many rifle/cartridges combos would fill that scenario. MY, repeat MY choice as best deer cartridge is 7mm RM in my Tikka T3X SS Lite. I’m 70 y o and my choice is the result from deer hunting since 1972 with A LOT of diff rifle/cartridges. No one else has to agree. I don’t need anyone else’s permission or approval. I’m satisfied & happy with my choice and that’s ALL that matters. YOU should have the same serenity with your choice. Jerry
Last edited by jwall; 08/28/20.
jwall- *** 3100 guy***
A Flat Trajectory is Never a Handicap
Speed is Trajectory's Friend !!
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 29,793 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 29,793 Likes: 2 |
Moot Point as I do not require "best", "adequate" is good enough.
These are my opinions, feel free to disagree.
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,632 Likes: 3
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,632 Likes: 3 |
Most deer I kill is with a CVA Wolf I bought at Wal-Mart.
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 181
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 181 |
Personally, I like my 6.5x55 or my .257 Bob for deer. I guess the 6.5 CM is the new hotness for the kids, at least that is what my 16 year old son tells me. Honestly, deer just aren't that hard to kill.
Last edited by HadsDad; 08/28/20. Reason: Punctuation
Why is abbreviate such a long word
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,348
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,348 |
IMHO:
308 Winchester ( I like 180 grain flat-base bullets with it). What he said. Only, make mine a 150 Partition.
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,626 Likes: 52
Campfire Savant
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OP
Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,626 Likes: 52 |
The boys on my deer lease say you must be some kind of commie if you don’t own a 30-06
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,713
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,713 |
Does it have to be an 03-A3 to avoid that label or does any 30-06 count?
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,608
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,608 |
IMHO:
308 Winchester ( I like 180 grain flat-base bullets with it). What he said. Only, make mine a 150 Partition. 168 Berger vlds for me
Beware of any old man in a profession where one usually dies young.
Calm seas don't make sailors.
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,943 Likes: 5
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,943 Likes: 5 |
Better (or best) is the enemy of good enough. If only deer is on the menu, I’ll likely grab my .257 Roberts or 7x57. If a combo deer/elk hunt, whichever elk rifle is in my hand with no apologies. Last year I shot a good buck with my 7mm Weatherby due to it being my back up rifle for that hunt. My best deer ever was taken with a .300 Weatherby at 38 yards. He still ate well. My elk rig this year will be my .35 Whelen and deer rifles will be the .257R and 7x57. Happy Trails
Life Member NRA, RMEF, American Legion, MAGA. Not necessarily in that order.
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,626 Likes: 52
Campfire Savant
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OP
Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,626 Likes: 52 |
Does it have to be an 03-A3 to avoid that label or does any 30-06 count? Any ole 06 is fine, but extra points if you have an 03 or a Garand
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,332
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,332 |
The 06 is a great call but anything the 06 does, a 35 Whelen does better IMHO. I don't shoot deer much past 300 ever and normally am inside 200 when it happens. I just love some 35s of almost any configuration.
“Lighten up Francis”
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,631
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,631 |
Lots of good ones. Its what makes the world go round.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 7,765 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 7,765 Likes: 1 |
"Shoot low sheriff, I think he's riding a shetland!" B. Wills
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