Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Most miserly cartridge for whitetail

Since you state 200 yards, I'd take the 22-250 over the 223 due to the 400+ fps velocity increase. I've now shot several deer with the old 60 gr Hornady hp loaded to 3500 fps. Every deer so far has been DRT. I have Wincherster 64 gr sp on deck for when the Hornady's are gone.

My kids and I have killed several deer with a 223 and have had great results. With that being said the room for shot placement error is very low with a 223. For what you are looking for .264 projectile would fit the bill.

StudDuck i do load 22 magnums when i need some with any special bullet needed , i have a few 1,000 new 22 mag.cases with the primer paste on them, dies & the rest as needed , plus a 40X 22 mag. test rifle

223 or 7.62x39
Both are cheap and easy to get. Where it’s not even worth reloading for if you don’t want to.

The 300 Savage is about right. I believe it is still the most efficient thirty.

I agree that the 300 Savage is quite efficient on White tails. You can use non-premium bullets or even cast. I've used 150 grain Hornady Interlocks with good results.

I just looked and did not see any Hornady 60grain HP in .224 listed.

I load 130 TTSX in mine, kills damn pigs fine!

I would vote for .223 also. I think .223 is a great round for varmints. Cheap bullets and 25 grain for powder. Economical and light.

Yep. A 62 gr Barnes or a 60 gr Partition works very well.

I’ll chime in with the .257Bob. Hell of an old classic whitetail round. Crosses the magic 100 gr projectile threshold and is pretty damned efficient while maintaining a good velocity. I will second the .357 Mag in a carbine. However, due to its relatively small diameter, I had some issues with terminal performance using cast. Switched to the 158 gr Rem SP jacketed and problem solved. Many deer killed with this combo. If you have to use cast, I would recommend.44 cal and higher, at which point you might exceed your efficiency desires.

6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm BR's

300 B/O using 18-20 grs with a 110 Barnes tipped Tshok for shorter ranges or little folks.

I used to be 6mm or bigger but the 223's don't seem to have much problem. Funny after so many threads on how 243 are wounders.

Still, for bigger deer, whether real or imagined, I feel more confident pointing my 260 or 270 at them than my 6mm........unfounded but true.

If you make that a 6mmx223 or 25x223 it meets the OP's criteria of "reasonably available components".

My 6x47 (6x222Mag) with 85gr Partitions does a great job, (grand kids love it!) but it I were building it today, I'd go with the 6X45 due to the availability of brass.

I agree to an extent, but with new bullet construction and some older bullets like a Nosler PT AND an ethical shot, I don't have a problem.

For the record, I don't deer hunt with a 223, but in the event of another component shortage, I want to be able to enjoy deer hunting, hence my question.

I appreciate all the responses, there's some bright minds on the Fire.

Telling you 7.62x39 is very underrated and abundant.

Took my first deer over 100 yard with a mini 30. Took many a hog with my go to walkabout hog gun, an SKS. The commy 30-30. Loaded up back when a box of ammo was like a dollar at Cheaper Than Dirt back when it reminded you of that mil surplus scene with Michael Douglas in Falling Down.

For a do all truck gun I think a newer mini 30 or even mini 14 is about perfect. I just can't warm up to AR's..

I know what you’re saying about mini 30 vs. AR.
But I built an AR 47? Before the panic buying for around $400. I had a Stripped lower for $50 and complete kit (minus the lower) for $350
But my cz 527 is moa shooter with silver bears and handles like a dream. Almost like I’m holding a red rider

A .256 win or a .270 Ren are very frugal on powder but 200 Yds may be a stretch for them..................otherwise I go with the crowd and consider a .223 in the ballpark you are looking for.