What rifle Calibers have you used?

I started my hunting adventures with my dad's 30-30 and took a couple of deer. I then got my very first gun, 270, and harvested a couple more bucks. In more recent years I've harvested deer with a 6.5 CM, 7mm-08, 300 WSM, 50 cal muzzleloader.
 
Zarn said:
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
Click to expand...
22 hornet
270
30-06
300 RUM
 
I've hunted with several different calibers.
30-06
308
45-70
7MM rem mag
Only killed deer with.
30-06
Elk
7MM rem mag.
 
killed a bunch with the old remington 742 woodsmaster in .30 06. I received it as a christmas gift in 1984. Passed it on to my younger brother this (just) past Christmas 2022. He was always lucky - every time he went out, which was not much, he would always get one. he finally wants to take up hunting again with a buddy down south. Glad to pass it on as i bought a more reliable Ruger American .30 06 several years ago. (only rifle caliber i have ever hunted with. killed first deer with 12 gauge buckshot, several with muzzleloaders and many a doe and FL spikes with bow and arrow).
 
Trix4me said:
Is there much difference between a 25 creed and a 6.5?
Click to expand...
Ya ones a 25/.257 caliber diameter while the other is a 6.5/.264 diameter is the obvious difference…. Basically we are just taking 6.5 creedmoor necking it from .264 to .257 and then running Berger 133 EOLs or 135 hybrids out of it at 2950 to 3000fps in a 1:7 twist barrel with better ballistics than the 6mm bullets and higher velocities than say the 6.5 creed. Essentially making a more efficient short action 25-06 with a faster twist rate barrel to be able to shoot the newer/heavier high BC bullets. There are a lot of PRS/NRL shooters building it currently because it’s that sweet spot of better ballistic coefficients than the 6mm and better velocities than the 6.5s unless you have to step up to a 6.5prc,saum etc
 
30/30 (first)
223 ( 62 grain tsx ) don't knock til you tried it, within 100 yd
243
6mm rem
270 win
270 wsm
7mm rem mag
7mm ultra mag
300 mags
30-06
450 bushmaster (ar-15)
300 savage
338 win mag
375 ruger
50 cal muzzleloader
12 gauge slug
430 Grain Easton axis 340 spine
 
The_Coloradoboy said:
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
Click to expand...
Dang!!! Whats your favorite? Just for whitetail and elk?
 
so far only 3

.308
6.5 CM
7mm mag

Looking like it will be .308 or 6.5 for quite a while, until something else gets in the mix
 
Zarn said:
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
Click to expand...
270 and 300 win
 
HntHrdr said:
Nice little set up you have there Blue… I want to start reloading, but I need another hobby like Custer needed Indians right now…
Click to expand...
Thanks, like everything in my world I wish it was a little bigger.

Reloading can be therapeutic if you have a touch of OCD. Otherwise, I expect it’s pretty boring. And it’s a rabbit hole that goes on forever.
 
Ones I killed deer with
257 wby
300 wby
25-06
7mm
243
22-250
50 muzzy
45 muzzy
7mm-08
30-06
30-40 krg
7.65x53 Argentina Muaser
44 cap and ball revolver
243 wssm
220 swift.
 
I use a 7mm Rem Mag for almost everything. I've taken deer, elk, and antelope with it.

.50 caliber CVA Optima Muzzleloader with Bore-Driver FTX bullets.

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IMG_6339.jpg
 
I shoot a different cartridge almost every hunt so here it goes...

22 LR
22 Mag
223
22-250
243
257 Roberts
25-06
270 win
270 WSM
280 AI
308 win
308 Marlin Express
30-06
30-30
32 Win Spec
300 Win Mag
300 Wby
338 Win Mag
20 gauge
12 gauge
357 Mag
44 Mag
Mathews Switchback and Chill R
Ravin Crossbow
50 cal smokepole

Oh and lastly, 2005 Chevy 2500HD took out a big ol Muley in Utah a few years back.
 
There is a pretty good list between 17 REM to my 30-378 Wby. Most have been 7 WSM over the past decade. Finally shot the barrel out of it. Tried to get it rebarreled with a proof carbon, but my guys don’t do Winchester actions.

My new favorite is my 6.5 PRC. I killed 2 deer and an elk this year and there was another bull elk and deer my family killed with it. 122 grain patriot solids are hammers.
 
.410 slug
30-30
.22-250
.223
.270 win
6.5x55
7x57
.308
7mm-08
and favorite of them all...243 win

the .243 I carry usually is pretty much a light weight gun, with easy recoil and cheap ammo to boot-and these west TX deer are not that hard to kill-hogs either but as always shot placement trumps EVERYTHING ;)
 
Homer said:
Fear the man with only one rifle.....he probably knows how to shoot it.......
Click to expand...
My list:
300 Savage
284 Winchester
Best of all: 7 MM RMag - A lightning bolt !
22 Hornet
243 Winchester
That’s all- going back to 1955 when I was 8 yo.
Best precision killer- 243 Win Ruger M77
Best pure killer of all- 7 MM REM Mag using Nosler Partitions 140-160 grains
Happy Shooting !
Jerry Gold - Windsor, Colorado ??
 
17hmr
220 swift
30 30
243
25-06
270
7 mag
30-06
300 ultra
338 mag
20 gauge 4 buck
12 gauge 4 buck
50 cal muzz
54 cal muzz
357 pistol
 
South_Slope said:
There is a pretty good list between 17 REM to my 30-378 Wby. Most have been 7 WSM over the past decade. Finally shot the barrel out of it. Tried to get it rebarreled with a proof carbon, but my guys don’t do Winchester actions.

My new favorite is my 6.5 PRC. I killed 2 deer and an elk this year and there was another bull elk and deer my family killed with it. 122 grain patriot solids are hammers.
Click to expand...

Lots of good gunsmiths for the M70. Kevin weaver or Chad Dixon both do excellent work on m70.
 
Have used lots of cartidges for deer, especially if I include Coues, Mulies, and whitetail.
The vast majority fell to 30.06, followed by 308 Win and 270.
But the list is fairly long:
.223*
243 Win
6mm Creedmoor
.257 Roberts
6.5 Creedmoor
6.5 x 284 Norma
270 Win
270 wsm
280 AI
7 Rem Mag
308 Win
30.06
300 wsm
300 Win Mag
300 Blackout*
30-30 win
32 Special
.45-70
.357 Mag*
.41 Mag
.44 Mag
.45 Colt
50 Cal Muzzleloader (flint and percussion)

Working now on loads for a 6.5 PRC and a 28 Nosler. Always willing to gain experience with a new cartridge. The ones with an asterisk (*) above I would generally not advise, even though I have used them successfully, but just barely. Truthfully, the rest of them have performed quite well within the expected limitations.

Bill
 
.270 (my first deer and elk, and a Javelina, w/a 90 grn HP loaded to 2,000 fps).
30-30 Deer
.223 Javelina
.243 Elk, Antelope and my kids, and grand-son have all killed deer w/it, and daughter-an Antelope (she shot a gp that we covered w/a penny)
.357 in a carbine, Javelina
 
Zarn said:
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
Click to expand...
270’s are great for deer. I shoot a Tikka T3x .270 with 140 grain hornady SSTs
 
6x45
6mm Rem
257 Weatherby
6.5mm SAUM
264 Win mag
7mm-08
280AI
7 mm REM Mag
7mm STW
7mm RUM
30-06
30-06 AI
8mm REM mag
338 RUM
35 Remington
375 Winchester
41 mag
45/70
45 cal muzzleloader
50 cal muzzleloader
 
Last edited:
Man, no wonder the deer herds are dwindling– you guys have killed a lot of deer!

.243
.270 Win
.270 WSM (what I always hunt with these days
.300 Win Mag
 
This is going to take a Minute might forget a few
17 HMR
22 Short
22 Long
22 Long Rifle
22 Mag
22 Hornet
22-250
223/.556
30/30 Win
243 Win
6.5 Creedmoor
270 Win
270 WSM
7 Rem Mag If I Could Only Have 1 It Would Be A 7mm
44 Mag
308 Win
300 Win Mag
300 WSM
325 WSM
338 Win Mag
338 Lapua Mag
50 BMG
Handgun Figured I Should List Everything LOL
22 Short
22 Long
22 Mag
380
327 Fed Mag
32 H&R Mag
9mm
10mm
45 ACP
38 Special
38 Super
357 Mag
41 Mag
44 Mag
45 Long Colt
454 Casull
500 SW
Shotgun All Of Them
410
28 Gauge
20 Gauge
16 Gauge
12 Gauge
10 Gauge
 
30-30
.308
.44 S&W
.444
7mm-08
7mm Mag
7mm Ultra Mag
300 Mag
300 Short Mag
300 PRC
6.5 PRC
 
Short but effective list for me:

.243
.270WSM
50 Cal muzzy
XX75 aluminum arrow with 100 grain NAP thunderhead (earlier days)
Carbon arrow with 100 grain G5 Montec or 125 grain Magnus Snuffer
 
The old saying used to be, "watch out for the guy with one gun because he probably knows how to use it." I don't buy it one bit. The guy who is passionate enough to have many guns probably shoots very well and could likely pick up about anything and shoot it as good as it will shoot. I can switch between guns with absolutely no problem and seem to be able to shoot just dandy most days. If money was no issue, I'd build a specific gun or two each year. The offseason would be spent working up loads and practicing for the 3-4 one-shot kills during hunting season. Rifles, hand loading, and marksmanship are a huge part of the hunt for me.

Also, the guy that doesn't handload might as well shoot several rifles because his factory 30-06 loads might be a .308 one year and a 300 Win Mag the next. :ROFLMAO: ----SS
 
308win
300WSM
and as of a couple years ago now it's:
6.5CM + Solid Copper for everything.

Id ike to add a 7mm-08 in there just because ive always wanted one and I do handload. Clearly I like the 308 sized/short action type of cartridges.
 
TKMulePacker said:
308win
300WSM
and as of a couple years ago now it's:
6.5CM + Solid Copper for everything.

Id ike to add a 7mm-08 in there just because ive always wanted one and I do handload. Clearly I like the 308 sized/short action type of cartridges.
Click to expand...
Do a 7mm Saum. Much mo-betta than a 7mm-08 in a short action if you’re a handloader
 
Sparks Shooter said:
The old saying used to be, "watch out for the guy with one gun because he probably knows how to use it." I don't buy it one bit. The guy who is passionate enough to have many guns probably shoots very well and could likely pick up about anything and shoot it as good as it will shoot. I can switch between guns with absolutely no problem and seem to be able to shoot just dandy most days. If money was no issue, I'd build a specific gun or two each year. The offseason would be spent working up loads and practicing for the 3-4 one-shot kills during hunting season. Rifles, hand loading, and marksmanship are a huge part of the hunt for me.

Also, the guy that doesn't handload might as well shoot several rifles because his factory 30-06 loads might be a .308 one year and a 300 Win Mag the next. :ROFLMAO: ----SS
Click to expand...
I dunno the only thing iv observed with a lot of “shooters” is they suck at off hand shooting. Even at close distances!

Can’t improvise rests or shooting from anything not a bench or bipod or shooting sticks. Too much time shooting at paper targets and not real animals.
 
I cannot totally disagree but maybe a blanket statement isn't in order.

I've seen way more crap shots from guys who don't shoot much. Take that to the bank.

Opinions are a wonderful thing. Everyone gets to have one.

Zeke
 
Zeke said:
I cannot totally disagree but maybe a blanket statement isn't in order.

I've seen way more crap shots from guys who don't shoot much. Take that to the bank.

Opinions are a wonderful thing. Everyone gets to have one.

Zeke
Click to expand...
It’s not an opinion but a real world observation. There’s marksmen and shooters the difference is practice.
 
I actually forgot one. I bought a Marlin Ballard rifle from a guy I worked with. I think I paid $200. It was chambered for the .44-40 Winchester. I actually bought it for my FIL for his birthday. He shot it but never hunted with it. When he died my MIL wanted me to have it. I shot it and even took it hunting a few times but never killed anything with it. The .44-40 was kind of like throwing a rock but I'm sure it would roll a big buck if in reasonable range. A good brush gun. I always wanted to get a pistol to match but never did.
 
eelgrass said:
I actually forgot one. I bought a Marlin Ballard rifle from a guy I worked with. I think I paid $200. It was chambered for the .44-40 Winchester. I actually bought it for my FIL for his birthday. He shot it but never hunted with it. When he died my MIL wanted me to have it. I shot it and even took it hunting a few times but never killed anything with it. The .44-40 was kind of like throwing a rock but I'm sure it would roll a big buck if in reasonable range. A good brush gun. I always wanted to get a pistol to match but never did.
Click to expand...
Dang……… never heard of a Marlin Ballard so I pulled up some pictures on google. Love it! That rifle’s a treasure, IMO. Hope you still own that eel, it’s a beauty. Reminds me a lot of the Browning High Wall, makes me wonder if those two makers were collaboring in some way or another back in the last 1870’s.
 
My rifle list is pretty short, but accounts for the most kills.
.270
300wsm
6.5x300

Muzz list:
Hawkens .50cal
Paramount .40 cal

The Archery list is the longest:
Jennings buckmaster G2
Mathews switchback XT
Pse Vendetta
Bowtech Experience
Bowtech BTX28
Pse Xpedite
Mathews V3 31"
 

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