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Caliber survey

Some very impressive list on here, these are mine:

243 Win - k
260 Rem - k
30-06 - k
350 Legend - k
50 cal muzzleloader - k

I think some of the older and oddball calibers are pretty cool and I also think that the gun you take in the field can definitely be part of the enjoyment.
But... If I had to pick one, hand me the ole 30-06 every time
 
243
6.5 creedmoor
7mm-08
30-30 (k)
308
30-06 (k)
7mm mag (k)
300 win
44 mag (k)

I've had great luck with the 30-06 and 7mm mag over the years producing either bag flops or short sprints and piling up within eye sight. Most of these loads were either Barnes, Nosler ballistic tips or Accubonds. Early on before getting into reloading loads were Remington cor lokt (30-06) or Federal premium ballistic tips (7mm). I have a good friend I hunt with that has long open stretches, but have to say growing up in western nc most of our shots were very close - less than 80 yards in the mountains, and even now still catch myself hunting the thick stuff just due to the property (or lack of) that I have to hunt.

I was not overly thrilled with the performance I experienced with the 44 mag out of a 6" S&W handgun. It could have been the situation and random but results were less than desirable at 30'ish yards with a 240 grain xtp put through both lungs. I ended up with tracking and multiple shots needed to put down a medium sized doe. I know many have good luck with handgun hunting and walking in and out is great but due to the experience I had chose to go back to a rifle.
 
these are calibers i have killed with

224 Valkyrie
243
270
30-30
300 win mag
308
7 mag

I have killed more deer with my 270 than any other caliber I have. I purchased a bergara b14 wilderness hunter last summer in 308 and have been using it the last two seasons and love it. So really 270 and 308 are my #1 choices.
 
Uncle J said:
243
6.5 creedmoor
7mm-08
30-30 (k)
308
30-06 (k)
7mm mag (k)
300 win
44 mag (k)

I've had great luck with the 30-06 and 7mm mag over the years producing either bag flops or short sprints and piling up within eye sight. Most of these loads were either Barnes, Nosler ballistic tips or Accubonds. Early on before getting into reloading loads were Remington cor lokt (30-06) or Federal premium ballistic tips (7mm). I have a good friend I hunt with that has long open stretches, but have to say growing up in western nc most of our shots were very close - less than 80 yards in the mountains, and even now still catch myself hunting the thick stuff just due to the property (or lack of) that I have to hunt.

I was not overly thrilled with the performance I experienced with the 44 mag out of a 6" S&W handgun. It could have been the situation and random but results were less than desirable at 30'ish yards with a 240 grain xtp put through both lungs. I ended up with tracking and multiple shots needed to put down a medium sized doe. I know many have good luck with handgun hunting and walking in and out is great but due to the experience I had chose to go back to a rifle.
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The doe I killed with a 44mag was with a handi rifle. It's been several years ago, but I'm thinking it was about 100 yards. She ran maybe 30-40 yards and wrapped herself around a tree.
 
Tenntrapper said:
The doe I killed with a 44mag was with a handi rifle. It's been several years ago, but I'm thinking it was about 100 yards. She ran maybe 30-40 yards and wrapped herself around a tree.
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It could have just been circumstance on mine - I only used it once. I think it would have killed her either way but was not a quick end. I take pride in putting stuff down quickly and humanely. I think barrel length is big and a key to getting what I'm looking for. But I'm also primarily an archery / muzzleloader guy.
 
Uncle J said:
It could have just been circumstance on mine - I only used it once. I think it would have killed her either way but was not a quick end. I take pride in putting stuff down quickly and humanely. I think barrel length is big and a key to getting what I'm looking for. But I'm also primarily an archery / muzzleloader guy.
Click to expand...
Absolutely agree. A pistol caliber fired from a rifle is a whole different animal.
 
Tenntrapper said:
Absolutely agree. A pistol caliber fired from a rifle is a whole different animal.
Click to expand...
Makes since to me! And as an impressionable youth I thought I should give it ago like the pros - use to love watching Larry Weishuhn and Jim Shockey back in the day - hind site may explain the love for TC encores! Hahah
 
Uncle J said:
Makes since to me! And as an impressionable youth I thought I should give it ago like the pros - use to love watching Larry Weishuhn and Jim Shockey back in the day - hind site may explain the love for TC encores! Hahah
Click to expand...
I would love to take one with a handgun, just hasn't happened. Maybe someday..
 
Uncle J said:
What's your favorite if you had to choose?
Click to expand...
Since it is the first centerfire rifle I ever owned, I've killed more with my trusty old Marlin 336cs 30/30 than all the others combined.
As for my favorite round, it's a toss up between .243 Win and 6.5 Swede.
If limited to only factory ammo, the 243.
Being able to roll my own, the 6.5.
 
Mausermeister said:
Since it is the first centerfire rifle I ever owned, I've killed more with my trusty old Marlin 336cs 30/30 than all the others combined.
As for my favorite round, it's a toss up between .243 Win and 6.5 Swede.
If limited to only factory ammo, the 243.
Being able to roll my own, the 6.5.
Click to expand...
I never killed one with a 30/30, but have taken many with a 243 and the Swede. Love them both!!
 
I've hunted with:
270 win
30-30 win
444 marlin
7mm rem mag
8mm mauser

Most of my kills have been with my Ruger M77 in 270 win, with either my Marlin 336 or Henry in 30-30 win close behind. I believe I've killed a couple with the 444, but I sold it a few years ago. I currently have one on layaway however 😁 For whatever reason, the .270 is the one that I pick up the most to take with me hunting. The gun is a tack driver and does what I need it to time after time. I like my lever guns because they are quick to maneuver around in the stand or if I'm spot and stalk hunting through the woods.

I would like to kill one with my 8mm mauser. It's a K98 Mauser that my granddad brought back home with him from WWII. I think it would be pretty special to take a buck with that one.
 
44mag (handgun)K
7.7Jap K
30/30 K
12 gauge slug K
243 K
7/08 K
270 K
280 K
30/06 K

7/08 is my go to, I like the reduced recoil, multi- game round, good in any terrain you can find a hole to shoot thru, fun to shoot.
 
708 k
270k
257Roberts k
284
30-30
6.5x55
35Rem

708 because it's easy for me to handle & great all round caliber .love the 270 sweet gun
Love the 284 Browning Micro Medallion too nice of a rifle too hunt with too much , last one Browning had on shelf in 93. Love caliber for elk & download in 140 Nosler Partion for deer &!hogs
 
12g slug from first deer ever 3006-243-30/30 4-5 different cva muzzle loader-H&R muzzle loader 300wm. hunted with a 8mm never seen nothing to shoot. Creek Rock not a center fire but a unique kill that started with a 3006
 

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SOUTHERN CHICK said:
708 k
270k
257Roberts k
284
30-30
6.5x55
35Rem

708 because it's easy for me to handle & great all round caliber .love the 270 sweet gun
Love the 284 Browning Micro Medallion too nice of a rifle too hunt with too much , last one Browning had on shelf in 93. Love caliber for elk & download in 140 Nosler Partion for deer &!hogs
Click to expand...
I have a '91 Micro medallion in 243. It's got a few dings, but still going strong.
Interesting that you mentioned the 284 win. I've actually found a nib browning 284 barrel and was considering doing a barrel swap when I shoot this one out. The lack of being able to find someone that still does hot bluing has me hesitant.
They are beautiful rifles for sure.
 

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