Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting KY Deer Rifle Poll

I was once called out as a "booger-eating moron" for choosing 30-06 as my favorite whitetail chambering. My fellow camper went on to expound that I must have no teeth and hunt out the door of my trailer. How he managed to divine all this from my choice in deer rifle was always beyond me. At least I am in good company here in Kentucky.

It had been a good decade since I really made a study of what folks on my neighboring ridges lobbed at the deer. Back then, 30-06 seemed to be in the lead, but 30-30 was still tops among the older generation. I also remember .243 WIN having quite the following. Those were my biggest surprises in this poll.

https://www.kentuckyhunting.net/threads/deer-rifle-poll.183585/



The other things that interests me is that 6.5 Creedmoor was hardly mentioned. It's been around since 2007, but it has not made much of a dent. On the other hand, 7mm-08 had a surprising representation. I have just started using it, and I love it. However, I did not know it had made its way into the hollers as much as it had.

.308 or 300 mag

And?


The way the poll is worded, it's a complete guessing game. "What do you think are folks' favorite deer rifle chamberings...."

Again, it all just a guess by others.

I've used a 6.5 Creedmoor for the past 5 years, killed 3 pretty decent bucks with it. I also pack a 243 on occasion, and this season will probably add a 308 to the mix.

One thing to consider about such a poll is that Kentucky is a very diverse state when it comes to geography. The eastern part of the state is heavily wooded, while the western part is mostly agricultural, and offers a lot of long shot opportunities. The rifle that might be ideal for one part of the state, might not be for another.

.30-06 & .35 Whelen.

I'm not surprised that the 30-06, 270, and 30-30 are in first second and third place. I figured the 243 and 308 would be in a tight race for fourth.

I am surprised to see that no one has mentioned the 7mm rem mag or the 300 Win mag.

Texas is the same way, lots of piney woods in the east, opens up as you go west. The 06 can be used anywhere

My in law cousins all use either an AR(in season) or a 22 rimfire (other) all on their own property. Mostly just for meat. They really just add to the variety and don't get out of hand with it. They also have pigs and cows to eat on.

Here I'd say .308, .30-06, .270, .243 and .30-30 are most popular with the locals but the 6.5 Creed is rapidly making inroads and will probably overtake some of those old stanbys in the near future.

Our KY deer camp usually has the following in residence over the years.

.243
.270
.308
.257 Roberts
6.5x55

For Me ...308 Win or .300 Win
...Hb

I used a REM 760 in 30/06 last year.

30-30 by far, but 30-06 up front now!

Of the "also rans" 300 Win Mag accounted for a few. 7mm Rem Mag was no where to be seen.

Forgot - need to add the 7-08 though it's been a while since I carried it.

It just cracks me up how many people use a 7 or 30 magnum to shoot deer in the south east. The largest majority don’t even shoot them well or care. Most would do well to trade for a 7-08.

Obviously this doesn’t apply to everyone. Some guys know about rifles and like to use what they like to use. I’m talking about the factory ammo guy shooting deer at 200 yards with a 300 for the knock down power….grin.

I don't know one fellow who hunts with a 257Roberts and maybe only one or two that own a 6.5x55. Not that many 243s here either.

I hunted Rolling Fork WMA with a 338-06 last season - but not on purpose. Please add an asterisk for me 👍🏼😜

I hunt WV but not too far from KY. And we used 243 and 270 last year. This year I will take a 6.5x55 and possibly a 25 caliber of some sort. Dunno what anyone else is bringing