Most used cartridge in American history for "deer"

[Dman]

 Hey guys, remember back in the day when the DFW had the special "light arms" season for elk?? Those were the days, I can remember when I took that big six point on No BS ridge with my .177 Beeman........

 

[KillBilly]

A lot of calibers were left out when talking about American History. There were probably more deer killed with calibers that you didn't even list. Untold amounts with Black powder probably .50 & .54 caliber, lever action 45/70, etc. many of the calibers listed are juveniles in American History. Not being critical, just making a point.

[Dman]

A lot of calibers were left out when talking about American History. There were probably more deer killed with calibers that you didn't even list. Untold amounts with Black powder probably .50 & .54 caliber, lever action 45/70, etc. >any of the calibers listed are juveniles in American History. Not being critical, just making a point.

 What about the .44 Billy? Asking as a question, I really don't know but seems like it was popular a long time ago.

[KillBilly]

Some more prior to 1900, 44-40, 25-38, 45LC (long colt)

[KillBilly]

Yes, the .44 caliber has been around since before 1900. the rifle cartridge I believe was the 44-40 and the pistol cartridge was .44 but not magnum back then.

[KillBilly]

When you think about the abundance of game early in history, It is possible that we have a ways to go to catch up with our ancestors in real numbers of deer or elk taken with any kind of weapon.

[MIKEXRAY]

Has to be the 30-30, when I was a teenager and lived in Kentucky all anyone carried was a 30-30, or a shotgun with slugs. Didn't see to many far reaching cartridges back east.

[billythekidrock]

Yea, but you also have to remember that lots of big game animals, like deer, are at historically high populations today acrossed alot of N. America.

[boneaddict]

YIKES

[KillBilly]

Yea, but you also have to remember that lots of big game animals, like deer, are at historically high populations today acrossed alot of N. America.

They wouldn't be if you could kill one every day because that was what you lived on. they didn't have controlled seasons back then, there was no limit.

[Slenk]

Yes, the .44 caliber has been around since before 1900. the rifle cartridge I believe was the 44-40 and the pistol cartridge was .44 but not magnum back then.

44-40 was also a pistol cartridge . I had a Colt 44-40 that I wore out  working on cattle ranches long ago. Killed lost of coyotes and some deer with it .
Slenk

[billythekidrock]

Yea, but you also have to remember that lots of big game animals, like deer, are at historically high populations today acrossed alot of N. America.

They wouldn't be if you could kill one every day because that was what you lived on. they didn't have controlled seasons back then, there was no limit.

Back then they didn't have all the logging that leads to better feed and increased herd sizes.

[PacificNWhunter]

30-30 hands down...

[Dman]

 Heres a good pic of the Model 93 .44 lever action:

 http://www.bedlans.com/WMC0701.jpg