What calibers have you used?

[mi650]

I'll start, in no particular order:

12 gage 00
7 RM
30-06
308
7-08
35 Rem
30-30
6.5G
6.5C
6.8 SPC
45-70, subs & supers
44 Mag
50 cal ML

Probably missing a couple. Over the years, I've been far more successful with archery gear, like 8-1 more successful.

It seems like I've always chased the next great thing. For the last couple seasons, I've been using 45-70 subs suppressed. I've shot a few with them, and haven't lost any, but the results weren't what I expected/hoped for. They don't expand much, but a 45 doesn't shrink. I shot one last season thru both shoulders at 50 yards, and he plowed a path thru the snow almost right to me. He died about 10 yards to my left.

Opposite of that, I haven't had to track any I've killed with either 30-30 or 6.8 SPC. They've all been DRT, so why the hell would I switch? I don't even own a 30-30 anymore. I still have the 6.8, and plenty of the load that I used. Even suppressed it's pretty loud, and for no particular reason, I'm trying to keep things quiet.

I have the idea stuck in my head that I need to try 300blk subs. I have a few boxes of 194 gr Underwoods that look they'd tear an ugly hole thru a deer, provided they open up.


Anyway, chime in! What have you used, what did you like, what didn't you like?

 

[mad_angler]

I'll play...

12 gauge slug
30-06 (majority)
300 win mag
32 winchester special
7mm Rem mag

 

[KenLee]

Good Lord, probably 30 different rounds. 12 ga lem damn hunnert and x-bolt 300 wizz-um would be my choices if I only got 2.

 

[AntelopeEater]

Well, I live in Nevada and haven't yet had the chance to hunt whitetail yet, but I have harvested a total of three deer so far in my middle-aged adult onset hunting career: A blacktail deer in Cali; and Two mule deer in NV.

My first mule deer was with a .50 cal muzzleloader, used 90 grains Hogdon Triple Seven and a copper Thor sabot slug. My first shot was a little off and wounded it, probably fatally, as I hit it in the neck, but I wanted to make sure, and also reduce its suffering as it was stumbling around, and so I broke the ramrod while hurriedly loading a second shot, but managed a second shot that took it out.

The CA blacktail was blasted down with my then new to me "elephant gun", a .375 Ruger, using a 270 grain copper Hornady loading. I hit that one a little high in the upper back and broke its spine, paralyzing and dropping it, I put a second shot through its heart when I got closer to end it.

My most recent mule deer was taken with what is my now favorite hunting rifle, a .308 Browning BAR, one shot though the boiler room with a 162 grain copper Sako powerhead blade dropped it ding dong dead instantly.

 

[tim tarras]

20ga slug
30-06
7X57
6.5 Creed

The 6.5 will soon be turning into a 257 Roberts AI

 

[83cj-7]

I’ve shot deer with a lot of your normal cartridges and bullets so I’ll just list the odd ones:

221 Fireball
9mm Glock 43
300 Savage

 

[Rich M]

3006
243
350 Legend
357 Mag
.50 cal ML

 

[Ross]

Since the 70s…7mag, 7mag, 7mag…..

 

[coyotekilla]

I'll play along...

223 rem
243 win
6.5 grendel, creed, & prc
30-30
300 wsm, wby, & aac
54 cal bp
12 ga
Xbow

My favorite, deer killing sob, that 243

 

[mi650]

I’ve shot deer with a lot of your normal cartridges and bullets so I’ll just list the odd ones:

221 Fireball
9mm Glock 43
300 Savage

I finished one off with my 9mm Shield. Head shot at PBR.

 

[Deerfield]

12 ga Slug
22 Creedmoor
6.5 Creedmoor
7 Mag
30-30
300 WSM
.50 Cal Flintlock

 

[BAKPAKR]

Since the 70s…7mag, 7mag, 7mag…..

You, sir, are boring.

 

[saltfork]

223 rem
22-250
243 win
25-06
260 rem
264 win mag
7x57
284 win
7mm rem mag
308
30-06
300 win mag
8 mm rem mag
35 whelen
357 mag
44 rem mag
45 acp
45 LC
454 casual
458x2"
50 cal muzzy
54 cal muzzy
12 ga slug
Compound bow
Crossbow

 

[North of 60]

This should be most of them:

.30-30
.30-06
6 Rem
.243
.308
.300 WM
muzzleloader
12 gauge
.44 mag
.45-70 Govt
5.56
Recurve
Compound
Xbow

 

[mi650]

223 rem
22-250
243 win
25-06
260 rem
264 win mag
7x57
284 win
7mm rem mag
308
30-06
300 win mag
8 mm rem mag
35 whelen
357 mag
44 rem mag
45 acp
45 LC
454 casual
458x2"
50 cal muzzy
54 cal muzzy
12 ga slug
Compound bow
Crossbow

Dude, maybe you should try a little variety!

 

[Bluefish]

I'll start, in no particular order:

12 gage 00
7 RM
30-06
308
7-08
35 Rem
30-30
6.5G
6.5C
6.8 SPC
45-70, subs & supers
44 Mag
50 cal ML

Probably missing a couple. Over the years, I've been far more successful with archery gear, like 8-1 more successful.

It seems like I've always chased the next great thing. For the last couple seasons, I've been using 45-70 subs suppressed. I've shot a few with them, and haven't lost any, but the results weren't what I expected/hoped for. They don't expand much, but a 45 doesn't shrink. I shot one last season thru both shoulders at 50 yards, and he plowed a path thru the snow almost right to me. He died about 10 yards to my left.

Opposite of that, I haven't had to track any I've killed with either 30-30 or 6.8 SPC. They've all been DRT, so why the hell would I switch? I don't even own a 30-30 anymore. I still have the 6.8, and plenty of the load that I used. Even suppressed it's pretty loud, and for no particular reason, I'm trying to keep things quiet.

I have the idea stuck in my head that I need to try 300blk subs. I have a few boxes of 194 gr Underwoods that look they'd tear an ugly hole thru a deer, provided they open up.


Anyway, chime in! What have you used, what did you like, what didn't you like?

I too have used 45-70 subs and I felt they worked well. 500g makers, which expand to 1.5”. I also used the .355 205g makers this year in a pistol. Worked great.

Others,
35 whelen
358 jdj

 

[saltfork]

Dude, maybe you should try a little variety!

Lol right. I've hunted whitetails all my life. I used to grab something different about every time I went out, depending on season. I liked to experiment, and was always looking for something better. These days my caliber choices are pretty dang boring.

 

[mi650]

I too have used 45-70 subs and I felt they worked well. 500g makers, which expand to 1.5”. I also used the .355 205g makers this year in a pistol. Worked great.

Others,
35 whelen
358 jdj

I've been using factory sub-x loads, and they've all penciled thru. I haven't lost a deer, but I haven't seen any sign of expansion either.

 

[Bluefish]

I've been using factory sub-x loads, and they've all penciled thru. I haven't lost a deer, but I haven't seen any sign of expansion either.

Try the makers. I have dropped down to the 400’s as it reduces recoil and still plenty of penetration. First deer left lung parts outside the body on the tree behind it. Didn’t go more than 5 yards. The 35 cal makers worked great. Huge blood trail and didn’t go far, maybe 10 yards. Really impressed with them.

 

[awbowhunter]

12 guage 00
35 rem
30-06
.243
.270
300 weatherby mag
270 weatherby mag
7mm rem mag
308
44 mag