longwalker wrote:

The one you have in your hand at the time. The best is such a subjective thing.

You hit that one just right!

Although my personal preference for rifle (in Michigan) is a 25 WSSM now, (because i just like it), for handgun, it's a toss up between a 10MM, 44Mag, *460Mag*, and a 500Mag.
*Will be hunting for the first time with the 460 this season*

Now consider that they all have never went past a one shot kill, not one caliber made the game more dead than the other.

So in my eyes, the best caliber would be the one you can comfortably as well as accurately.

I agree with those who say that the best deer caliber is the one you shoot comfortably and confidently. I would only add that anything less than a 243 Win (in my opinion) is a little on the light side for all but the most seasoned of hunters. I have hunted deer with my 270 Win for more years than I care to admit, but this year I'll also be taking my T/C Encore (15" barrel) in either 308 or 243 (depending on which load is the most accurate after my final tests).

Probably more total deer are shot each year in this country with the 243,270,308,30-06 and 30-30 than all the other calibers combined. Any of those calibers make an excellent choice. That is not to say that others are not just as good, only that these are the most popular.

Blaine

And speaking of 30-30...... When i used to sell firearms, i can honestly say (in Michigan) a good percentage of firearms that take deer are lever actions. The calibers of choice were only 30-30, 44Mag, and 45/70 being in the top 96% of guns bought, and others being 444Marlin, 450Marlin.

Hear here for the veneralbe .30-30 Winchester. Mine is 57 years young and still in service. Just like me...

I basically use two guns. 25-06 (100 gr. Rem CoreLokt) for deer. Then for Elk I use a 7mm STW (175 gr. Sierra). I guess everyone has their favorites, these are mine. Of course there is the .22 Marlin, and the list goes on. But I am thankful that we are allowed to have these choices, unlike other places around the world.

Oh my! Guns are like women and trucks. So many to choose from and so little time. I'd hate to limit myself to just one. There are so many things about different guns that I like. Well, my first one was a 270 and I settled on it after reading Jack O'Conner's stories for many years. Will never part with it and it is still a favorite. However, a 257 Roberts is also a pure pleasure to shoot and it was the gun that my son took his first deer with. Really enjoy shooting the 308 too. Accurate and get to reload for it and have some tackdriving loads worked up. Finally there is the 45-70 "Gubment". Ain't no "Magnum", never been one for them belted cases myself, but this gun pokes a large hole and keeps on trucking. Difference in it vs. the Magnums is that you can eat right up to the hole. A 400 grain Speer Flatnose does a heck of a job putting down anything in its way.
May all your blood trails be Vertical!!
Yotebuster

I'm in michigan and like my 44 magnum Winchester Trapper for a rifle and my 44 DEP for handgun.

more deer are killed with 12 ga shotguns and 303 enfields than any other firearms.

kids with shotguns and us nonkids with enfields.

cavet is more deer have been killed with 30-30s than any other rifle in existance

I shoot well over 400 deer a year and i shoot the majority with the .243 ackerley. I am shooting six differant species of deer on a regular basis all year round and from the smallest muntjak right up to the largest Red stag i know where to put that 95gr bullet to make it count!

Hello everyone new to this site...would like to say its a really neat site with some very good info. My favorite gun i like to use is the 7 wsm I have shot many guns and kill many deer and elk but i have to say that the 140 accu bond for deer works very will here in Wyoming were shots can be long and the 160 accu bond for elk really does a great job, but everyone has there favorite just happens this is one that fits me the most...I also would like to say thanks for all the useful info. thats being put out with this site ....

Welcome to the Hunting Nut Bowtec. Pull up a chair and stay awhile there's a lot of good people on this site and there always more than willing to give an opinion (LOL)
Joe

shrpshtrjoe thanks for the response...I was wondering how is the hunting in your part of the woods? I have hunted in Texas,Oklahoma,Arkansas,Utah,Colorado and here in Wyoming and i always like to visit new places...and again thanks for the welcome

We have 6 deer species here and the smallest legal cal' is 243 although realy I guess for woodland reds 270 is the smallest reliable option.

Bowtec wrote:

shrpshtrjoe thanks for the response...I was wondering how is the hunting in your part of the woods? I have hunted in Texas,Oklahoma,Arkansas,Utah,Colorado and here in Wyoming and i always like to visit new places...and again thanks for the welcome

Howdy Bowtec. Your welcome.The deer hunting is pretty good,are bag limits are rather large for archery,muzzleloader,rifle seasons combined it's 6 buck and 30 does. Things are starting to get built up here i don't think it will be too long before they make it a shotgun area. But overall hunting is good.
Joe

There are many great Deer calibers but I love my 25-06 for Sask white tails and mule deer.