Do any hunters out there think that the 30-06 does to much damage to a whitetail?

Answer 1

I've been shooting a .30-06 on everything from antelope to elk, and haven't seen too much damage. Not sure exactly what you mean by "too much damage." I assume you are talking about meat? I generally shoot through the ribs so it doesn't matter. I like the 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets. These are available loaded by Winchester (SIlvertip, I think.) They have dropped every deer I've shot very cleanly. I wouldn't use 180 grain on deer but it's great for elk.


Kent in SD

Answer 2

The 30-06 is a great deer rifle.

Regardless of bullet weight I agree with those who are saying if you shot the deer where you should, damage shouldn't be an issue.

The best place to aim on most animals is the heart, lung area, the thoracic cavity.

If you place the bullet in the rib cage or shoulder area where it belongs you won't be damaging to much if any edible meat.

You are trying to kill the animal, doing as much damage as possible to the vital organs will result in the quickest, most humane kill.

Sure there are many great rifles of lesser caliber that can and do reliably kill Whitetail deer.

But the 30-06 is certainly not too much rifle.

I have a friend who hunted Whitetail exclusively with a .375 H&H magnum.

I thought it was overkill, still do, but he never had to track a deer into the night through thick cover, and there was always plenty of venison at his barbeques.

Basically any round from .223 through .458 will cleanly and reliably kill a deer.

Shot placement is and always will be the answer.

In my opinion a humane kill is worth a little ruined meat, we owe the deer at least that much.

Answer 3

It depends on shot placement. I have seen shots that were perfectly placed, through the shoulder, heart and lungs, with minimal damage to heat. On the other hand, I have see hits at a bad angle that have shredded a deer.

If you are worried about damaging the meat, you might try something smaller, such as the the 7mm Remington Magnum, although I wouldn't reallly attempt it with anything less than a heavy .243 Winchester, at least 90-grain. I shot a deer (my first one) when I was about 13, second season with that gun. I was shooting a varmint round (50-60 grain, I didn't know any better back then) at 80 yards. It killed the deer, but it tore up the guts after it bounced off the shoulder, and he bled out; we had to track him for nearly a mile, and what meat we got wasn't worth the trouble.

Answer 4

the 30-06 is a fine cartridge for whitetail hunting

Answer 5

It depends at what range and where you shoot it. Any range over 150 yards will be no problem. Range inside that and you might have to much umph. My uncle shot a whitetail at 70 yards in the head. It was a 5 by 5. Knocked the antlers clear off of its head. Crazyiest thing ive ever seen hunting.

Answer 6

No. I dont shoot for anything but the sweet spot or head anyways. If you hit the meat, to me, you screwed up. The thing is, even if you destroy a front shoulder or a loin, the 30-06 is going to make sure that animal does not run off and die of gang green. Unlike a .223 or some other cartridge. Even slugs some times wont stop them and buckshot can be a hit or miss proposition.

Answer 7

i hunted with a 30-06 for along time shooting around 100 yards a light wieght bullet does too much damage and a heavy bullet goes right through allowing the dear to run off i have been using a 243 lately and really like it

Answer 8

30-06 with or lesser is a bit over powered for an animal not much bigger than a big dog with especially a 180 gram.or even less.Too much macho emphasis is placed on big guns and big ammo.For that kind or should I say size animal use smaller with well placed shot using a good scope ,unless thats all you own if so then smaller ammo.I've seen fair sized caribou fly sideways after being hit in solid bone area by 30-06---180 gram.

Answer 9

Not if you are taking long distance shots. I prefer to aim for the neck anyways so I doesn't matter if I take a shot from close up with a 30-06.

I always shoot for the neck, makes butchering less of a hassle.

Answer 10

I hunt with a 30-06 i use 165gr rounds for deer and it does enough to get the job done-- you don't want the animal to suffer. Load some 180gr rounds and your ready to take down Elk. So I think its a great medium to large game rifle.