What is the best Deer Rifle?

Question

I want something that is going to have Knock Down Power! what's better a 30-06 or a 308

Answer 1

Ballistically, there is very little difference between 30-06 and .308. The kind of rifle you need depends mostly on the terrain you'll be hunting. If you're in wide, open country where you might have shots out past 200 yards, then either '06 or 308 will do fine. A flatter-shooting round like .270 might be better.

If you're in close quarters country, deep woods or thick brush where your maximum range is 150 or less, then you don't need a full-power .30 cal round. A Marlin 30-30 will do everything you need it to do. Whitetails aren't really that hard to kill if you can put the bullet where it needs to go.

Answer 2

Honestly, there's little difference between the 308 and 30-06.
I have a 30-06 and it does well. I also own an old 308 lever action that was my late Grandfather's, and I've seen it perform too. They both perform extremely well.

As for the 243, yes it has many uses and can be handloaded in a variety of weights ( up to105 grs). I have taken many deer with my Ruger M77 243 and love it to death. But it can't measure up to 308 or 30-06.

Other good choices are 280, 270, 7mm, 300

I tend to shy away from 30-30 due to sluggishness at long range. However it is a great short range brush gun.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What is the best Deer Rifle?
I want something that is going to have Knock Down Power! what's better a 30-06 or a 308

Answer 4

For sheer knock down power, go with the 30-06. The 308 is flatter shooting and slightly more accurate, but the 30-06 holds a little more powder and is commonly available with heavier bullets. The larger bullets and extra power will provide more energy downrange than a lighter 308 bullet.

No matter how you slice it, or who you listen to, the best deer rifle for you is one you can shoot well. Practice makes perfect, so the rifle with cheaper and readily available rounds will be the better choice in the end, and the easiest on your wallet.

Answer 5

Both the .30-06 and the .308 are ballistically similar and good deer rifles. But if you want something with real knock down power consider a .300 Remington Ultra Magnum, an overkill for sure on deer! My favorite deer rifle is still my old Remington 700 in .25-06. Believe me, that's plenty for deer.

Best.

H

Answer 6

Both of those rounds are available in many grain weights and would be perfect for deer. The recoil of the .308 is a little more manageable but the 30-06 is not real bad on the shoulder.

Answer 7

The 30-30 & 30-06 have harvested more Deer than any other calibers.* The key factor as always is proper bullet placement on the animal you are hunting.* The 30-06 has a large variety of bullet weights to choose from to meet your needs.* The 30-06 does not have a severe or unmanageable recoil.*

Answer 8

There are many used guns on the market in very good condition, try some gun shows or pawn shops, also go to gun ranges and post notices of what you want. A 30-06 is a good choice for a North American all round gun. It will take any animal except the biggest of the bears with well placed shots. Even the biggest bears can be killed, but a heavier caliber is more certain.

Answer 9

The caliber of both is great, go with a well made brand, I have a Savage 30-06 model 111 with Accu-trigger..... very nice rifle.... the new Remington has received very bad reviews, the 770.... watch out for the new rifles.....

Answer 10

There is no such thing as knockdown power. a bullet that weighs a fraction of an ounce cannot possibly knock down anything of medium-game size. The idea is to produce a lethal wound channel.
There's very little loss of power when going from 30-06 to 308 until you begin to handload bullets of 200 grains' weight and above, where the long bullets begin to encroach more on the shorter case.