What rifle Calibers have you used?

[Zarn]

I got to thinking about rifle cartridges and what I have used to kill deer in the past. Granted I am pretty old and my hunting career goes back a long time. I thought it might be Interesting to see what center fire calibers you all have used to kill deer with. Here is my list. Although not in order.
30-06
243
22-250
30-30
280
308
6.5 CM
270
30-40 Krag

 

[WHT_MTNMAN]

Not too many for me The majority have come from my 300 RUM 1st custom rifle I ever had built and I used it for many many years as my primary rifle. My first dozen were from my dads old 30-06

30-06
300 RUM
270
280ai
25CM
25SST

 

[Homer]

.375
.308
.257
.277
.284

 

[JB1975]

22-250
.243
.270
.308
.300 win

 

[Chesterwyo]

223
22-250
220 swift
243
25-06
257 WBY
6.5 Kardashian
270 win
7-08
280 AI
7 mag
30-06
300 WIN
300 WBY
300 Ultra

Killed several with a handgun as well.

 

[Zarn]

223
22-250
220 swift
243
25-06
257 WBY
6.5 Kardashian
270 win
7-08
280 AI
7 mag
30-06
300 WIN
300 WBY
300 Ultra

Killed several with a handgun as well.

Now that's a list.

 

[yoteduster]

30-30
7mm rem mag
257 Roberts
25-06
264 mag
22-250
6.5 cm
6.5 prc
28 nosler

 

[Wes]

7MM Remington Mag
Killed everything from mice to moose with it
Wes

 

[twopointdn]

30-30
270 win
338 win
270 WSM
300 RUM

 

[Dvi]

270 is my go to

 

[littlebighorn]

7MM Remington Mag
Killed everything from mice to moose with it
Wes

I bet the mice was tasty...if you found a piece.

 

[littlebighorn]

You probably intended Cartridge rather than Caliber, but I'll play along.
32 Special
308 Win
270 Win
257 Roberts
7mmRem Mag
6.5 CM
28 Nos
220 Swift
6.5x284 (next year)

 

[Blank]

22-250
220 Swift
243
6mm Rem
25-06
264 WM
270
280
7 Rem Mag
30-06
300 H&H
300 WM
300 RUM
300 WBY
350 Rem Mag
416 Ruger
44 Mag Ruger
45-70
450/400 Nitro

 

[12pointer]

I'll take it you meant cartridges.
22-250
220 Swift
250 Savage
257 Roberts
7mm Rem.
30-30
300 Savage
30-06
358 Win.
375 Win
45-70

 

[Homer]

I must have read the question wrong……

 

[unclebuck]

22-250
44 mag
308 win
270 win
270 wby. mag
30-06
280 rem

 

[1989Cohunter]

243
25-06
308
300 win mag
7mag
270 win

 

[Zeke]

I must have read the question wrong……

No, you read it correctly but the OP (and others) is still having a nomenclature breakdown.

.204 .224 .243 .257 .264 .277 .284 .308 .323 .338 .357 .375 .416 .429

I've killed deer with all those calibers.
The cartridge conformation may vary within each caliber size.

Zeke

 

[fullthrottle]

Damn… Apparently I need to buy more guns.

 

[yotebuster17]

.17 Rem
.223
.22-250
.243
.25-06
.270 win
.284 win
7mm STW
7mm Sherman Max
28 Nosler
30-30
.300 WSM
.300 win mag
30-338 lapua
30-378 wby
.375 h&h
.45 cal muzzy
.50 cal muzzy
.54 cal muzzy

 

[Sparks Shooter]

To kill deer…….this is going to be a long list. I’m kind of a Gun floosie. The 25-06AI and 7MM Dakota accounted for the majority. Funny, my kids all use cartridges that I have never used for hunting. My oldest uses a 270 for everything and my youngest two both use 7-08s. My wife shares the 25-06 AI with me.——-SS

223
243
6MM
257
257 AI
25-06
25-06AI
280AI
7MM Rem
7MMSTW
7MM Dakota
28 Nosler
30-30
30-06
300 Win
300RUM
338 Win
338 RUM
338-378 Wby
35 Whelen
44 Mag
50 Muzzy

 

[Sparks Shooter]

1/4 bores are represented way more than I expected! Style points for 257 Roberts.

I’ve got a new/old 300 H&H that should make the list next year. ——-SS

 

[den57]

6mm Remington
.257 Wby
6.5 PRC
.35 Remington
.50 muzzy
.54 muzzy

 

[Big Dog 68]

223
44mag
243
308
338 WM
270
6.5cm
22mag (pistol tangled in fence)

 

[EVILNR]

.243
25-06
30-06
300 Win
.44 mag

 

[Trix4me]

I killed my first deer (and elk) 50 years ago with a 7 X 57 Mauser. Haven’t seen that one on anyone’s list.

 

[CHWino_1]

.22 mag...... depredation program.
7mm08
280
30-30
44 mag
7mag
308
7-30 Waters
223
375 H&H

 

[gundog2]

.270 win
300 wthby
7 mm rem mag

 

[Muley_73]

22-250
243
25-06
270
7mm REM Mag
7LRM
300 Win Mag
32 Win Special

 

[Homer]

I killed my first deer (and elk) 50 years ago with a 7 X 57 Mauser. Haven’t seen that one on anyone’s list.

if it makes you feel better......all my 257 Roberts cartridges are stamped 7x57 mauser......

 

[nfh]

22-250
.243
.270
30-06
7mm rem.mag
.300 win mag
45-70
.44 mag
.45 and .50 cal muzzy
9mm and .45 acp (hit with truck, permission granted by biologist to finish them)

 

[PCPython]

6mm Remington
32 Special
250 Savage
25-06 Rem.
308 Win.
7 Mag
300 WBY
300 RUM

 

[Trix4me]

if it makes you feel better......all my 257 Roberts cartridges are stamped 7x57 mauser......

That 7x57 had a 175 gr round nose slug and kicked like a mule. A couple years later I graduated to a.270 win.

 

[Zeke]

To kill deer…….this is going to be a long list. I’m kind of a Gun floosie.

Hey SS, based on my list, I sleep around a little too. ???

1 - 3 different cartridges in each of my calibers (diameter) for me too.

For deer, I’m kind of on a .264 and .284 kick right now in a few different cartridges.

Man, it adds up fast over 50 years of deer hunting in several States!

Zeke

 

[Zeke]

My math is obviously challenged: make that 55 years of deer hunting!

Zeke

 

[ridgetops]

Holy crap, there are some long list. I started out with a 30-30 and killed my first three bucks. Then bought my first rifle ( 30-06), killed several more deer and elk with it. Then moved onto a 7mm rem. mag. Killed several deer and elk with it. Now I'm working on killing a buck or bull with my new 6.5 prc. I've also killed a few bucks and bulls with my 50 cal. Muzzy.

 

[mevertsen]

.30-06

 

[Homer]

.30-06

Fear the man with only one rifle.....he probably knows how to shoot it.......

 

[Hammnit]

.223
22-250
.257 Robert's
25-06
.270
.280
.338 Win
12 ga slug

 

[tailchasers]

.260
7 mag

 

[marley]

.223
.243
.308
.280 rem
7mm mag
28 nosler
300 RUM
300 WM
.264 WM
6.5 Grendel
300 Blkout
6.5 SST
375 H&H
470 Nitro
50 cal muzzy
45 cal muzzy

 

[Homer]

.223
.243
.308
.280 rem
7mm mag
28 nosler
300 RUM
300 WM
.264 WM
6.5 Grendel
300 Blkout
6.5 SST
375 H&H
470 Nitro
50 cal muzzy
45 cal muzzy

9 calibers.....

 

[Stubaby]

.30-06
.264 Winn Mag
7mm Rem Mag
100 grain slick trick 4-blade
6.5 Creed

 

[Bluehair]

9 calibers.....

Yeah, but it seems like more (22, 6mm, 25, 7mm, 30, 357, 375, 9mm, 45, and 50 if we count the ml)

 

[270winny]

I'm a simple man

270
30-06
300 win mag
50 cal. muzzy

 

[12pointer]

.223
.243
.308
.280 rem
7mm mag
28 nosler
300 RUM
300 WM
.264 WM
6.5 Grendel
300 Blkout
6.5 SST
375 H&H
470 Nitro
50 cal muzzy
45 cal muzzy

A 470 Nitro to kill a deer? ??????

 

[Pokes]

30-06 and 7mm REM mag.

 

[Phantom Hunter]

.222
.257 Roberts
.257 Ackley Improved
7mm Rem Mag
30-40 Kraig
50 cal muzzy

 

[Ridn9high]

223
243
270
308
30-06
7mm
30-30
.50 smokepole
Chevy 1500

 

[eelgrass]

I didn't see the .22LR listed. I can't be the only one.

 

[X7ahunter]

270 for the vast majority
First deer was with Grandpa's 243
Killed a couple road hit deer with:
16 gauge and steel 2 duck load
22 mag pistol
22 lr pistol and rifle
30-30
44-40 pistol

 

[X7ahunter]

Oh and one with a Toyota pickup that killed the pickup too

 

[DSilver]

22
223
30-30
.280
6.5 wby rpm
.50 muzzy

 

[angus]

25-06
300 win
all i've ever needed

 

[marley]

A 470 Nitro to kill a deer? ??????

Oops didn’t see that it was deer specific. That was for a giraffe

 

[Bluehair]

A 470 Nitro to kill a deer? ??????

I forgot a crown vic, f-150, f-250 and f-350.

 

[Plumber333]

22-250
270
300 Win.
300 RUM
6.5 PRC
243
30-06

 

[Zeke]

I forgot a crown vic, f-150, f-250 and f-350.

What caliber vehicles are those?

 

[littlebighorn]

What caliber vehicles are those?

Well I killed one with a Ram 2500 caliber. It was opening day and it was DRT! Expensive hunt and I didn't get any meat.

 

[mtnrunner260]

I killed my first deer (and elk) 50 years ago with a 7 X 57 Mauser. Haven’t seen that one on anyone’s list.

I killed my first deer, elk and antelope with my mom's 7x57 and fixed 4 power scope.

 

[Zeke]

I killed my first deer, elk and antelope with my mom's 7x57 and fixed 4 power scope.

Nice!
So a .284 caliber huh?
Solid cartridge choice for deer and other game.

 

[littlebighorn]

Nice!
So a .284 caliber huh?
Solid cartridge choice for deer and other game.

You "crotchity old man"! Why don't you list the Cartidges you have used with those 14 calibers? I've seen your outrageous volt!

 

[rmanwill]

220 SWIFT
243
257 WEATHERBY
25-06
6.5 CREEDMORE
270
7MM MAG
308 WIN
300 WSM
300 RUM
50 CALIBER MUZZLELOADER

 

[downhill]

25-35
22 mag
30-30
30-06
270
7 mag
300 Win
257 Wby
357 mag
50 cal
12 gauge slug

 

[RRCowboyStar]

Now I know why I can't find any 22-250!

 

[ridgetops]

Oh and one with a Toyota pickup that killed the pickup too

Been there done that.

 

[walleye1121]

.270 win.
.54 muzzy
.50 muzzy
.45 muzzy

 

[PRCnut]

.308
30-06
300 WM
25wssm
12 ga slug
.54 cal muzzy
6.5 PRC
100gr kudu point

 

[Snoopdogg]

30.06
7mm Rem Mag
.243
25.06
.270 Win
.338 Lapua

 

[RookieWYhntr]

25-06
300WM

 

[The_Coloradoboy]

Man there’s been a lot…..
25-06
270
300 RUM
26 nos
28 nos
30 nos
280 AI
7mm
300prc
300 norma
338xc
6.5 cm
6mm cm
22 cm
300 win
6.5x47 lapua
6x47 lapua
7mm saum
6.5saum
6.5prc
6.5-06
6.5x284 norma
257wby
300wsm
6.5wsm
7-300prc
338 lapua
7mm stw
6 GT
6xc
22-250
224 valk
6.5 Grendel
270wsm
7mm-08
6.5x55
260 AI
6 AI
300 Norma improved
30-28 nos

 

[smokepolejohnson]

.303 Lee Enfeild
.300 Austad
8MM “Doogie” Mauser
6.5 Creedwhore

 

[Snoopdogg]

Man there’s been a lot…..
25-06
270
300 RUM
26 nos
28 nos
30 nos
280 AI
7mm
300prc
300 norma
338xc
6.5 cm
6mm cm
22 cm
300 win
6.5x47 lapua
6x47 lapua
7mm saum
6.5saum
6.5prc
6.5-06
6.5x284 norma
257wby
300wsm
6.5wsm
7-300prc
338 lapua
7mm stw
6 GT
6xc
22-250
224 valk
6.5 Grendel
270wsm
7mm-08
6.5x55
260 AI
6 AI
300 Norma improved
30-28 nos

That's a sh*tload of deer you've killed there homey. Good job!

 

[pauns08]

22-250
243
257 wby
6.5x47 lapua
6.5x284 norma
270 win.
280ai
7mm

 

[Sparks Shooter]

Man there’s been a lot…..
25-06
270
300 RUM
26 nos
28 nos
30 nos
280 AI
7mm
300prc
300 norma
338xc
6.5 cm
6mm cm
22 cm
300 win
6.5x47 lapua
6x47 lapua
7mm saum
6.5saum
6.5prc
6.5-06
6.5x284 norma
257wby
300wsm
6.5wsm
7-300prc
338 lapua
7mm stw
6 GT
6xc
22-250
224 valk
6.5 Grendel
270wsm
7mm-08
6.5x55
260 AI
6 AI
300 Norma improved
30-28 nos

Do you build a special rifle for each hunt? If you do, you're my newest hero.-----SS

 

[pauns08]

Do you build a special rifle for each hunt? If you do, you're my newest hero.-----SS

I think guys just list every caliber they can think of lol

 

[rmanwill]

I think guys just list every caliber they can think of lol

Some might. However the question was what calibers have you all used to kill deer with. I think most read that question and list accordingly. I know I did. I have other calibers in the gun safe and have killed elk and bear with calibers not listed in my response.

Just saying.

 

[Soccerdude]

30-30
30-06
.308
.243.
300 win.
6.5 prc this year hopefully.

In that order starting at 13 years old in West Virginia... now almost 40 in Wyoming with a few stops in between.

 

[Focoelkman]

My list is like my Johnson…. Long and distinguished .

 

[roadrunner]

270

 

[pauns08]

Some might. However the question was what calibers have you all used to kill deer with. I think most read that question and list accordingly. I know I did. I have other calibers in the gun safe and have killed elk and bear with calibers not listed in my response.

Just saying.

Ya I listed the calibers I've killed deer with as well but some of these guys listing 40 different calibers might not have understood the question

 

[30Hart]

280
284
308 Norma Magnum
338 Winchester magnum
25-06
7mm Remington magnum
30 Hart

 

[Nev638]

30-30
243 win
257 wby mag
270 WSM
325 WSM

 

[Homer]

I left out .411.....

 

[Wiszard]

I didn't see the .22LR listed. I can't be the only one.

You must be the only field worker here.....

 

[Wiszard]

20 gauge shotgun slug (doe tags on FHL)
765 Argentine Mauser (FHL doe tag)
.243 (first legal buck as a kid)
.280 (bought my first deer rifle at 24. All I've used since. I'm 51)
I have a Weatherby .308 in the gun safe....that'll be my elk rifle.

 

[SlinginLead]

.270
30.06
.7MM
.300WSM
.300Win
I have used the .300WSM for the last 15 plus years. It's my "go to"
rifle.
I have a .338 that I will use when I draw an LE Utah Elk tag in 2023!

 

[Longun]

Man there’s been a lot…..
25-06
270
300 RUM
26 nos
28 nos
30 nos
280 AI
7mm
300prc
300 norma
338xc
6.5 cm
6mm cm
22 cm
300 win
6.5x47 lapua
6x47 lapua
7mm saum
6.5saum
6.5prc
6.5-06
6.5x284 norma
257wby
300wsm
6.5wsm
7-300prc
338 lapua
7mm stw
6 GT
6xc
22-250
224 valk
6.5 Grendel
270wsm
7mm-08
6.5x55
260 AI
6 AI
300 Norma improved
30-28 nos

I haven't even heard of half of those cartridges..you must be some kind of MacGyver guy??

 

[Longun]

25-20,223,220 Swift.270,30.06,300Savage,8mm Magnum,.338 win mag.

 

[The_Coloradoboy]

Do you build a special rifle for each hunt? If you do, you're my newest hero.-----SS

I’m always building one. Alot of the deer killed were clients, family or friends

 

[COPLAINSHNTR]

25-06
30-06
7mm Rem Mag
7mm Rem Ultra Mag
.280AI
.280 Rem
.338 Win Mag

Wow, looking back this was harder than I thought it would be to remember. My 2 fav's from this list though are the 25-06 and 280AI.

 

[ColoradoBob]

30/06 it's my only rifle---use it for everything in NA

 

[callsalot]

Most of my kills are archery. Only three with the old longs guns.
30-30
25-06
270
My list of Bows is a lot longer

 

[GilaJeff]

35 Remington
7MM Rem Mag
300 Win Mag
6.5-284 Norma
300 WBY Mag
30-06

 

[X7ahunter]

Might be able to add a 257 Ackley Improved to the list by this time next year. And i hope a 50 caliber muzzleloader

 

[hogg_65]

223
22-250
220 swift
243
25-06
257 WBY
6.5 Kardashian
270 win
7-08
280 AI
7 mag
30-06
300 WIN
300 WBY
300 Ultra

Killed several with a handgun as well.

Hahaha...

 

[Trix4me]

I tried a 25-35 once. I missed. Also a 300 PRC. Didn’t miss with that one.

 

[easyelk13]

243
270
7mm mag
300 win mag
32 special
8mm mauser
44 mag
50 & 54 cal muzzy
12 ga slug
Have killed deer with all of those, pretty much only use
the 300 win mag anymore.

 

[Lil_Fish]

300 WSM
7mm Rem Mag
243
7mm-08
30-06
6.5 grendel
50 cal muzzle loader

 

[The_Coloradoboy]

I haven't even heard of half of those cartridges..you must be some kind of MacGyver guy??

I like building guns and tinkering