Best deer caliber

[Dan-o]

This ought to get interesting...and I don't want to hear anything about the .257 Roberts only being suitable for rabbits and squirrels!

I agree!   The 257 Roberts is also perfecly capable of taking opposum..... as long as you keep the range close.

 Iheard that someone once killed a coyote with a 257, but it took several shots to the vitals.

This coming from a person driving a Hot Pink Prius, and has Magnum Rifle Envy..   

Hey Bud!

Good to see you're still monitoring.    :-)

And I know......   I still owe you a beer.

[bradslam]

This ought to get interesting...and I don't want to hear anything about the .257 Roberts only being suitable for rabbits and squirrels!

I agree!   The 257 Roberts is also perfecly capable of taking opposum..... as long as you keep the range close.

 Iheard that someone once killed a coyote with a 257, but it took several shots to the vitals.

Page 3.  What took you so long?

[Dan-o]

This ought to get interesting...and I don't want to hear anything about the .257 Roberts only being suitable for rabbits and squirrels!

I agree!   The 257 Roberts is also perfecly capable of taking opposum..... as long as you keep the range close.

 Iheard that someone once killed a coyote with a 257, but it took several shots to the vitals.

Page 3.  What took you so long?

Sorry.  Work got in the way.

Besides, I was in no rush to state the obvious.     

[Huntbear]

This ought to get interesting...and I don't want to hear anything about the .257 Roberts only being suitable for rabbits and squirrels!

I agree!   The 257 Roberts is also perfecly capable of taking opposum..... as long as you keep the range close.

 Iheard that someone once killed a coyote with a 257, but it took several shots to the vitals.

This coming from a person driving a Hot Pink Prius, and has Magnum Rifle Envy..   

Hey Bud!

Good to see you're still monitoring.    :-)

And I know......   I still owe you a beer.

 

[300UltraMagShooter]

we all go by our own experiences.

here  are mine

.243 deer every now and then DRT.  more  often than not, they run 40 yards or more... and have had several occassions that they not leave a blood trail at all.  lost at least 3 deer I know I hit.

.270 deer have all died after 30 yards or so although a couple have not bleed well.  I'd use a .270 or bigger any day of the week.

.30 and none have went past 30 yards yet.  most have been DRT.  (I'm sure any deer hit in guts with just about anything will run a long ways, but I can't remember ever hitting one there.)

All a matter of preference.   I'd use a 22-250 if it was all I had and not feel under gunned.  but given the choice, I'll stick with my .30.

[Lincoln4]

Deer are pretty easy to kill...

The longer I hunt deer, the more I like the smaller bores.  Every deer I've hit with the .243 dropped like a sack of potatoes.  My daughter has shot one with a .260rem, DRT.  My wife and I have shot several with .308s, every one dropping in it's tracks, except one that we lost.  Now that I have perfected the trigger on my 6.8spc AR, I'm sure it will be plenty next fall...

[johnnyaustin44]

I like the 257 Roy.  close to my 270 wsm but something about a small bullet on steroids that jacks me up.

[et1702]

25-06 

[Labs07]

I am not looking for a mag.  Just a caliber that is very accurate, mild to moderate recoil and something that I can easily reload or buy factory ammo for.

[Fl0und3rz]

I am not looking for a mag.  Just a caliber that is very accurate, mild to moderate recoil and something that I can easily reload or buy factory ammo for.

270 Win with 150's is mild enough for my 15 year old niece.  130's would be even better.

[C-Money]

I am not looking for a mag.  Just a caliber that is very accurate, mild to moderate recoil and something that I can easily reload or buy factory ammo for.

7mm-08 is your caliber. Loaded with some 140 Accubonds, you are set for anything in North America with very mild recoil.

[bobcat]

270, or if you prefer a short action, then a 308.

[jaymark6655]

Man 4 pages and only 2 mentions of .308 Win. 

My first ever rifle choice was .308
Not much recoil, can handle anything in the lower 48 (sort of), tons and tons of off the shelf range and a never ending supplying of different components for reloading.
Cheaper than 30-06.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I am not looking for a mag.  Just a caliber that is very accurate, mild to moderate recoil and something that I can easily reload or buy factory ammo for.

So I'll follow up to my post...  The most popular deer cartridge on store shelves would probably be 270win, 308win, 30-06 and maybe 7-08.  If your local ammo supply depot doesn't carry those, Shop somewhere else! They don't deserve your business.     Each of these fits what you've requested.
 
-Steve

[Royal47]

270, 30/06, or 308.

Can't go wrong with any of those three.

I would also add 7mm to this list.