The "Best" rifle for deer!

[outdoorone]

Personally I like the 7mm rem mag. Some say it is a little over kill but it is a great caliber for some of these wide open bowls in utah.

[huntr-]

There is no such thing as over kill. Dead is dead and as long as you don't place the shot as to ruin a lot of meat Load heavy enough to get the job done and then just a little extra. I shoot a 300 winchester magnum , usually loaded with 165 grain to 180 grain for deer and 220 grains for moose or bear. Never had anything go more than fifty yards at the furthest, most just drop in their tracks . Thats the honest truth. I can say that over ten bucks and two bull moose , and one black bear have fallen in the past ten years that Iv'e carried it. How ever bullet choice is critical.

[Karl.Luhr]

Reading the last few posts are interesting. One listing the 243 and stating it kills any deer if he can see it, and the next couple point out the versatility of the stronger magnums. I don't want to just be barely able to kill it, I personally am not a good enough shot to take one at over 300 yards on a deer. Many shooters are and I have no problem with their taking a shot if they are confident in the outcome. I think that shooters that will take the over 300 yard shot should be shooting atleast the 270/280/3006 class cartridges. The bullets are not carry the energy at 300 that they do at 100 yards. A hit less then ideal at a lesser range may be a kill, but could be a lost or suffering animal at 300 yards. The magnum shooters put up with more weight, kick, and noise than I do but if does provide them with options that my 3006 wouldn't. It is wonderful that we don't have some agency requiring everyone to carry big magnum cannons if we don't require what they offer. I have read stories about africa prior to the requiring of 375 H&H as a minimum for the big 5, and many large animals were killed cleanly. It was only after clients were injured and game wounded badly, did the powers that be required the big cannons of today.
My 3006 works for any deer or elk that I will ever press the trigger on...

Karl

Karl

[Predator]

Is the one you just used, to drop one.