I just had a 25-06 built to use as my deer rifle. I like it a lot so far but that is limited to range use to be honest. I haven't shot a deer with it yet because i haven't had it very long. I plan to change that this year. Now that I have all of the reloading components I plan to load it up with either berger or hammer bullets.
I have had great luck with my .270 on Coues whitetails. I have shot hand loads with sierra pro hunter 130 grains and recently with Barnes 129 grain LRX and Hornady 130 grain GMX.
Unfortunately my state only allows shotguns and straight wall cartridges. So I use either my AR platform in 450 bushmaster or my 45/70. Shooting hornady for both. So far I love both guns.
I think I’ve used something different about every year, but have gravitated towards lighter, handy, flatter shooting rifles lately. 7 RSAUM was last years with a 24” lightweight bbl on a Rem model seven action. 6.5 RSAUM was in there, a 6.5x55 Swede, 308, and a cool old 71 Winchester in 348 was a favorite for the northern woods. Really about any medium caliber is excellent, but I find the package it’s wrapped in has more to do with how much I enjoy hunting with it.
I have to say that I really like using my R700 in 300 WinMag. I know it could be considered "overkill" but I just love the way it shoots, especially with the new loads I had to develop for it. I was using 180gr Sierra Gamekings but ran out and could not find any. Did come upon a place that had several boxes of 180gr Speer HotCor's for a good price. They actually shoot tighter than my Sierra's.
I am not much of a rifle hunter. Hunt the north east mostly with shots under 200 yards for the most part. Started a few years ago with a 308. It was fine. Jumped to a 300 win mag. Too much crack for white tails IMO. Recoil and meat damage. Bought a 6.5 creed. Love it. Soft shooting. Much easier recoil than winny and even my 308. Haven’t had a deer go more than a few yards Before they piled up. A few have tipped over right in place. Doesn’t appear to cause excessive mat damage. just gets it done. Can’t see any reason to change it up.
I have used quite a few different cartridges and calibers and find many work really well. My favorite is the 30-30 as it does what it is supposed to without too much recoil and noise. With that said, if I had to pick only one, mine would be a 30-06 with 180gr bullets.
thanks. -Rufus
I use a 300 WSM with 150 grain nosler partitions for everything from whitetails to antelope to mtn goat, moose, bighorn, elk, and bear. Mine hardly kicks and I only put one shell in it because I know that's all it will take when I pull the trigger....I have that much confidence in it!