best deer caliber

None of the above.

25-06 kills em dead very fast and is a bit different, also doubles up as a great coyote caliber, if your not looking to save fur that is.

But given your list and if I wanted to be the same as tens of millions of other people, I'd take the 270.

Dont need a 300 WM for deer unless your shooting 800-1000 yards or more.
 
Anything doubles as a great coyote caliber if you don't want to save fur
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Anything based on the 308: 243, 260, 7/08 is more than adequate for deer. Stepping up to the '06 based calibers is more than needed and a lot more recoil. My favorite for long range is the 280AI but recoil is as much or more than the 300 mag.

Jack
 
From a practical stand point, I'd say the 30-06 and I don't even own one any more! Available in almost any type action, recoil is manageable, every bullet manufacturer makes several 30 caliber bullets designs specifically for the '06 and if you don't reload, factory ammo is available anywhere. Plus, it has plenty of power for anything you'd shoot in the lower 48.
 
Originally Posted By: 2muchgunDeer are easy to kill, and any of the 3 will kill them easily near or far. My favorite deer cartridge is the 7mm-08.......

A very common sense statement to enough cartridge but not to much cartridge.

Hoggy
 
I started with a 30-06 pump, went to a 280 Encore, then dropped back to a 7mm08 model 7 as I wised up. If it's too heavy to carry, it's gonna sit in the safe or the truck. If it kicks the crap out of you, you're gonna flinch. I don't shoot over 100yds where I hunt and rarely shoot 50yds. My model 7 is short and light with a mild recoil and at the ranges I shoot, is still overkill for our whitetails. I've seen a 300 WM shot 60lb does run half a mile, and .22wmr shot deer drop like a rock. It's all in shot placement and the mindset of the deer.
 
Hard to beat a 7mm08 for an all around deer caliber. There are plenty of other cartridges that will work fine also. It's all about shot placement and bullet design.
 
Originally Posted By: RHcoyotehunterhow come no ones pickin 300 win mag

I loved my 300 win mag, as a cartridge. But I will never own another one in a 7 lbs. gun like the one I sold. I would like to own one some day in a Sendero...
 
30-06 but that's just me. I shoot it well and I'm really comfortable with it. All of the ones you mentioned will kill deer but in the real world, they all are probably a bit on the overkill side.
 

Of your choices, my pick would be the .270. It's attributes are light recoil,flatshooting and it flat out kills far better than the ballistic charts say it should,I have shot deer,moose,elk,bears and bison with 130 grn bullets.Use a properly constructed bullet and it will serve you well,and very well indeed!!!
 
270 is probably large as I like to go on the deer rifle. I would go with that or to mention another as a few have above...25-06.
Both are fast, flat, and every bit capable without all the recoil... If you don't need the recoil, why reach for it. My .02 cents
 
I'd have to go with the 270 just because it will cause the least damage and shoots flatter than the 06.

The 30-06 how can you say much bad about it.

300wm bit large for a deer, especially a Black Tail (For me, which means nothing!) I once again can't say anything bad about it, I used my 7mm rm for everything for 10yrs which some might say is to big also.
 
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