Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Favorite Caliber for 200+ Yard Shots?

Then the answer is easy. 308 Win.

Ammo for that is available again and should stay that way. With a 150-165 grain bullet and a 200 yard zero, you can hold on hair all the way out to 400 (if you are a set and forget shooter). Lots of great gun options to pick from as every manufacturer chambers their budget and premium offerings in 308.

Easy-peasy

For the non handloader the new cartridges, Creedmore, prc , etc. offer generally better ammo from the factory. You said out to 400 yds. so not too far and it being a lease I am assuming a stand or at least all shots can be taken from a good solid rest. 200-400 yds can be easily covered by literally all but the average short range guns. A laser ( sigsauer makes an inexpensive but good laser) are needed to eliminate guessing. Once you know range and know your guns trajectory it is all quite simple. Whether you make adjustments to your shot by hold or a reticle or even turning knobs is up to you. All that said , In your situation anything from a 243 up should be fine.

Tell us what you’re using now so we call all say keep using it.




P

308 Win. Long range.
Less than 200, my favorite is the 250-3000 Sav.

It's not rocket surgery. Pick almost any deer cartridge that you've heard of in the last 100 years.

7 Mag with Nosler 160 A/bond or 168 ABLR at 2900-3000 fps depending on the rifle.

This one is my favorite -

I am of the same thought on the .250 Savage, my initial plan was using the .250 Savage as a 100 yard or less tree stand rifle. My first 3 deer killed were taken from a lasered 177 to 342 yards. All 3 deer died quickly.

The 25-06 stays home now.

A vote for the 270 or 7mm RM, both personal favorites.

6 x 47 L. 105gr hvld

The 30/06 is NEVER a bad choice. Put a Burris Fullfield II-- 3x9 ballistic plex and go hunting. You're set for life.

My favorite of all my hunting rifles too. Mine wears an older Leupold 3x9 Compact.

But if I’m expecting longer range shots, I’m going with my Remington Classic 700 264 Win Mag. With a 125 gr Partition, I’ve taken multiple antelope, mule deer, whitetails, and no telling how many feral hogs out to 400 yards with it.
And a truck load of coyotes with a 120 gr Ballistic Tip.

Furthest kill with my 7x57 Featherweight was probably 275 to 300 yards with a 140 Partition. Not that it won’t shoot further, I know my 264 Win Mag is just flatter shooting. Guess it gives me confidence since I’ve made most of my longer shots with it.

I originally bought 270 as my deer rifle and have bought few other calibers since then. I still reach for the 270 as my main deer squeeze. 140s just shy 3050fps will reach out and touch them.
I also have the 6.5 which has nice low recoil and have also used for deer. Much cheaper over the counter vs 7-08.
I also really like shooting the 7.62x39 and with in 200 yards it would be just fine.

7 WSM is my favorite do-everything cartridge.

Plus 1.

Got that right. All one of my buddies ever uses on deer is a 22-250. Deer are not hard to kill... I'd buy a new fast twist 22-250 and play around with some heavies.. I'm limited to what I can run in my 1 in 12 and 1 in 14 twist rifles, but even the lighter pills whack deer pretty good. 55gr Hornady interlocks come to mind... For the op's requirement of 200 yards. Damn near anything will work.

The 25.06 with a 120gr bullet.

300 WSM

308 win or any member of the family. 243 is a great choice but none of them will be bad for what you want. There is no need to jump up to the 06 family or any of the magnums. 223 might be bare minimum unless you're surgical with it but the 22-250 should have enough speed to do what you want. If you're not a handloader then go with something that's available

Q: Would you prefer a short action or a long action?