What Deer Cartridge This Year

Doug627 · Nov 14, 2023

I have four rifles to consider this year. I like the old cartridges. I have two Savage Model 99s. One in 250-3000 Savage and one in 300 Savage. I have a Winchester Model 70 pre-64 in 257 Roberts. Finally, I have a Remington Model 700 in 6.5X55mm Swedish Mauser. I'm leaning toward the 6.5X55 with the 257 Roberts as my second rifle. What will you be using?

KalamazooKid · Nov 14, 2023

Straight wall requirements here in southern Michigan so 450 Bushmaster all day long out of my Ruger American with Leupold 3-9 glass. Money!

And our gun season is hours away, alarm is set for 4:50 am. Weather is too warm here but hey, gotta go - I golfed yesterday. Good luck everyone!

lihpster · Nov 14, 2023

If I had gone this year I would have used the .270. But I would have felt comfortable with any of the setups you mentioned.

brendonjames65 · Nov 14, 2023

I’ll be using my much used pre 64 Winchester Model 70 featherweight 30-06 mfg date 1956, with a vintage Bushnell 4x Scope Chief and Federal 150 grain SP rounds.

Hope you get a nice Buck!

Buford57 · Nov 14, 2023

If I was going this year it would probably be what I used the last time: .35 Whelen. In a single shot it is legal for both primitive and general gun seasons in MS. (I know, but it's lighter and kicks less than the .45-70 Sharps)

muddocktor · Nov 14, 2023

KalamazooKid said:
Straight wall requirements here in southern Michigan so 450 Bushmaster all day long out of my Ruger American with Leupold 3-9 glass. Money!

And our gun season is hours away, alarm is set for 4:50 am. Weather is too warm here but hey, gotta go - I golfed yesterday. Good luck everyone!

Hey Kid, why do they do that? And what qualifies? Would a 458 Win Mag qualify? How about a 44 Mag in a rifle?

And good luck everyone and hope you have a good hunting season.

erikpolcrack · Nov 14, 2023

We have a lot of long shots on our farm - across our grain fields - so my son and I will be using our 270s ( Ruger American and Tikka ) and my daughter will be going with her 6.5 Creedmoor Savage - if she actually makes it back from college to hunt. We've used Savage 7mm Rem Mags in the past, but our 270s have ptoven to be more than enough even for the largest Whitetails.

Baxter6551 · Nov 14, 2023

Good choice with the 6.5 Swede. Weatherby MKV ultralight in .270 win. here.

Model 15-4ever · Nov 14, 2023

All great choices there. I'm .257 Roberts guy, in an older Kimber 84M Montana.

Back when companies made something other 6.5 Creedmor.....

Hair Trigger · Nov 14, 2023

Just close your eyes and grab one. The deer won't care which one it is.

KalamazooKid · Nov 14, 2023

muddocktor said:
Hey Kid, why do they do that? And what qualifies? Would a 458 Win Mag qualify? How about a 44 Mag in a rifle?

And good luck everyone and hope you have a good hunting season.

Hey Muddy, it’s a limitation of sorts I guess. I know the 450 was designed by a Michigan gun dealer to push those limitations. I don’t have the list in front of me and am not familiar with the 458 WM but guessing no go on that.

I do know the 44 mag is good to go here.

raljr1 · Nov 14, 2023

Any one of them will do. Take the one in which you have the most confidence.

Robert

muddocktor · Nov 14, 2023

KalamazooKid said:
Hey Muddy, it’s a limitation of sorts I guess. I know the 450 was designed by a Michigan gun dealer to push those limitations. I don’t have the list in front of me and am not familiar with the 458 WM but guessing no go on that.

I do know the 44 mag is good to go here.

Heh, I got curious and looked it up. 35 caliber or larger, with a max overall case length of 1.80 inches (minimum 1.16 inches). So that rules out the 458 Win Mag, or any dangerous game rifle basically. Even the old 45-70 case doesn't qualify as it's case length is too long. Funny though is that the 44 Special cartridge does qualify as it's case length is 1.16" but the 38 Special doesn't because it's case length is 1.155".

Mike SC Hunter · Nov 14, 2023

i hunt with 2 ea .280's/Browning BAR 30/06/35 Rem/30-30/7.62x39 and 44 mag........Where I'm going depends on what I grab. Just so happens 3 bucks so far this year have fell to my Win. mdl 70 fwt in in .280. Still got to Jan 1st......Maybe the other rifles will get a chance too.

Wyo · Nov 15, 2023

I used a 1952 Savage 99 in .250/3000 for antelope this year. Had an old 4x Weaver on top of it. Shot a nice little buck at about 250 yds. - one shot and he was down. Love hunting with the old guns! It was a most satisfying hunt.

Golddollar · Nov 15, 2023

Buford57 said:
If I was going this year it would probably be what I used the last time: .35 Whelen.

If I was going hunting I would be using my Marlin 1895 45-70.

Old 44 Guy · Nov 15, 2023

All the above calibers are fine for deer. Myself, i would grab my old Win. 88 .308. For deer and Elk it has never failed me. Just my 2 cents .

rubiranch · Nov 15, 2023

holo · Nov 15, 2023

here in Ohio straight wall only. I will be hunting with my new single shot .44 CVA rifle.

dockmurgw · Nov 15, 2023

I have 3 favorites...a pre 64 Winchester and Marlin Waffle Top, lever guns, both in 30 30...if I'm still hunting in the woods, I alternate between the two but the Marlin is my favorite. A scoped Remington 700BDL 30 06 if I'm in a stand with fields in sight...to heavy and bulky for still hunting. Last Saturday was our opening day and I tagged out 15 minutes after walking in the woods with the Marlin, so I'm done rifle hunting for the year, our rifle season is one deer buck only. Next month I'll stuff a 50 cal round ball into my Thompson Center New Englander and try to get a doe for the freezer during our late black powder season.

What Deer Cartridge This Year

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