will a 12 guage shotgun take down a mule deer quicker or a 30.06 shot from a rifle such as remington 710?

Question

which one has more of a knock down power to stop a mule deer.

Answer 1

physically impossible to actually knock down a deer with a gun as you know since the recoil would also knock you down when you fire it.

However which will drop one quicker the 30-06 generally at all ranges. Slugs while leaving a big hole don't necessarily put animals down that quickly with chest/body shots because like handguns they operate at low velocities, less than 2000fps.

To get a 'lights out' kill (that does not include hitting the central nervous system or major bones), that is it falls right over after a shot to the heat and lungs you generally need impact velocities of 2000fps or more.

Most 30-06 bullets will be around 2500-3000fps depending what weight you use. Not saying you will get the lights out kill on such game with one, but certainly more chance with the 30-06 than the slug, at any range point blank to long range.

Shotguns are really meant for extremely fast targets(birds, rabbits etc.), targets at very close range and self defence against humans.

For anything else you will find there is a high powered rifle bullet to beat them hands down. In the range ,power, penetration and yes even quick kill department.

Answer 2

Depends. Now the '06 has plenty of knock-down power and more range than a 12 gauge, but a 12 gauge slug has plenty of knock-down power.

I would use a .30-06 over a 12 gauge for hunting deer, even on mulies unless the 12 gauge was a weapon of opportunity. Now I own a Remington pump 12 gauge slug gun with a completely rifled barrel and rifle sights. It is like shooting a carbine up to about a hundred yards. With 3" shells, bear claw slugs (or even Hydra Shok slugs) THAT would have more knock-down power on a Mule deer than a .30-06 at say a hundred yards. Further out the '06 will have the edge every time.

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Answer 3

I agree with the other poster that mentioned you are trying to SOUND informed. You'll not find many shotguns ( or possibly any) that offer combination gauge sizes. You may find a 12 gauge shotgun which has interchangeable barrels (ie long barrel, short barrel, or slug barrel) or a 20 gauge in a similar configuration. The .28 gauge is a unique gun which is typically used for plantation style quail hunting. They are usually expensive, the ammo is high, and the ammo is difficult to find except at specialty shooting stores. A 12 gauge will be the most powerful commonly available bore size in shotguns. the 20 will be the second. Since you are new and likely young, you may want to try a 20. A decent Mossberg 500 or 735 pump will run you $350-450. A Remington will be slightly more expensive. Both of those shotguns will have new barrels readily avaible. If you buy an "off brand" you might have trouble finding rifled barrels. Look into "rifled slugs" , the rifling is cut into the slug itself, so there is no need for a new barrel if shooting slugs. I have found they are just as accurate as rifled slug barrels. If you don't have interchangeable chokes on a gun, I would get a "full choke". Also, look at getting a weapon that will shoot 2 3/4" as well as 3' shells. It will give you a little more power if needed. Consider capitalization and better punctuation in the future. THE MORE PRIDE YOU TAKE IN YOUR QUESTIONS, THE MORE LIKELY PEOPLE ARE TO REPLY TO THEM WITH EDUCATED, COHERENT ANSWERS!

Answer 4

If your talking about a slug.
Under say 50 yards a 12 gauge slug almost if not, knocks em on the ground but loses all that power real quick. so the 30 - 06 wins at longer distances.

Answer 5

Neither has enough power to knock down a deer with the blast effect. That would require artillery, with an explosion at impact. Both are more than sufficient for a quick, clean kill at the appropriate range. If hit right, they'll drop like a rock from smaller, lower-powered rounds, but in hunting you never actually knock down an animal.

Answer 6

Unless you are prepared to forgo all shots beyond 75 yards, go with the '06.

I personally don't care for shotgun slugs for hunting. They are fine for up close defensive use, i.e. 35 yards and less. But for hunting, I like to have the option of making a 100-200 yard shot with some certainty of knowing where the bullet will strike.

Answer 7

it depends on the range. close range shots are probly equal or shaded slightly towards the shotgun. but the 30-06 will outshoot (distance) a shotgun with plenty of power left for the animal.

Answer 8

Absolutely the 12 gauge has more shocking power and trauma than a 30-06....

Answer 9

I'd go 30.06 never liked using slugs in shotgun too rough on the choke

Answer 10

either one should take it down. it all depends on the distance. close-up, use the shotgun, far away, the 30.06