Best gun for a deer?

[theSabanator20]

I have heard many different guns used. Not sure which is the clear cut best though.

I use a 7mm.08.

I know many other popular ones are

.270
.243
30/30
30/06

I've even heard of some people using .300s.

Which one do you use and why? If there is a real reason other than just because that is what you've always used.

 

[theSabanator20]

I get the sense that really it has to do with the grain used, or the tip of the bullet itself, whether it be hollow point, lead point, plastic tip, etc. but I want your opinions.

 

[Nosferatu]

I would imagine it's difficult for a deer to hold a gun so something with a trigger they could use their hoofs to pull I guess. Not sure what gun that might be...

 

[NickVT10]

I doubt there is a best gun but all are effective. There might be more detail in the ballistics of each round but all will kill a deer with no issue.

Personally most of the counties around me including the ones I hunt in you can't use a rifle. They are shotgun or muzzleloader only for firearms. They do allow rifled slug guns though so I am using a Savage 220 for this year when I take a gun. I will do mostly bow hunting. My land is heavily wooded so a rifle wouldn't be required since real long shots aren't available.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Old thread, but thought I'd chime in...

I've used damn near all of them... And I can safely say that there isn't really a wrong gun for the job. I've used 30/06, 300 Win Mag, 308, 270, 250, 243, etc... Common sense would dictate the larger the animal the higher the caliber you want to shoot it with, but truth is, they all get the job done. I've shot Muleys with a 243 or 250 and it stopped them dead in their tracks. Grain size doesn't really matter to me as long as you always use the same grain that you sighted the rifle with. It's all about personal preference. Taking the gun out and feel how it handles, because sometimes the gun might "handle" you so its good to get a feel for it.

But for personal preference I've always loved the 300 win mag or the 30/06. Bigger guns, but I'm a bigger man (6'4", 225). Both are extremely reliable, love the feel, accurate, and they put the deer down right in its tracks.