Author Topic: Best deer caliber?? (Read 1313 times)

Cookiemann · « **on:** November 19, 2007, 01:56:34 PM »

Which Handi caliber for deer?? Why??
Only from these choices, PLEASE.
30-30
44 Mag
45LC
357 Mag

Hunting done in thick to moderate cover with some open grassy areas. Shots of 100yds or less.

cookiemann

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2007, 02:01:39 PM »

30-30 Dale

Brett · « **Reply #2 on:** November 19, 2007, 02:22:54 PM »

For the type of hunting you describe I don't think you would go wrong with any of those calibers.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** November 19, 2007, 02:38:28 PM »

30-30 for that rare open grassy areas that might possibly exceed the 100yd limit by quite a bit.

.

Tim

Cookiemann · « **Reply #4 on:** November 19, 2007, 02:47:16 PM »

The thing is, Andy, a 100yd shot means a 100yd drag.

Dale, you forgot WHY?
C'mon Brett, lets hear it, I know you got a preference.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #5 on:** November 19, 2007, 02:53:07 PM »

I say the 30-30 because better to be over gunned than under gunned. In these conditions to me this is a no brainer. Dale

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 19, 2007, 03:02:51 PM »

Any one of those will work. Shoot the one you have the most confidence in. If you do not have any of them and need to choose then go with the 30-30 because it will do the job out to 200 yards if needed and is usually accurate in a Handi rifle. It also has plenty of power. I think the 30-30 kicks less than either the 45 Long Colt or the 44 Magnum with full house loads and it has much better "knock down" power than a 357. If you have all of them to choose from pick the one you shoot best. There is nothing that beats a well placed and constructed bullet.

SM Bob · « **Reply #7 on:** November 19, 2007, 03:57:05 PM »

It's a no brainer. 30-30 Its record as a great deer cartridge speaks for its self. Especially
at the range and conditions you are talking about. Put a Remington Corelock through
the boiler room of a deer with that 30-30 and he is finished.

Robert

Foggy · « **Reply #8 on:** November 19, 2007, 04:02:09 PM »

30-30 unless yo got a 280Rem or a 35Whelen hanging around. (that should stir the pot) I use a 30-30 or a muzzle loader 85% of the time.

canon6 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 19, 2007, 04:17:46 PM »

30-30 would be my first choice, or maybe my 357, in all seriousness which ever one you can shoot best. Doug

moxgrove · « **Reply #10 on:** November 19, 2007, 04:25:30 PM »

I think the 30-30 is THE American deer cartridge.

Illhunter · « **Reply #11 on:** November 19, 2007, 04:51:08 PM »

i say 30-30 or 44 mag would be my choices.

Terry

eskimo36 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 19, 2007, 04:56:13 PM »

If there are at least 4 days of season, then get them all and use one each day....

Zachary · « **Reply #13 on:** November 19, 2007, 04:59:50 PM »

From that list, .30-30.

From outside that list, 7mm-08.

Zachary

whiteoper · « **Reply #14 on:** November 19, 2007, 05:37:39 PM »

All of the callibers you listed are killers at that distance with well placed shots. I for one vote for the 44 or 45 as I like big boolits. I would pick the rifle caliber combo that your going to have the most fun with in the other season. I trust you have the same seasons were you live as we have here in northern Alberta #1 Hunting Season #2 Waiting for Hunting Season.

Roscoe

Mac11700 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 19, 2007, 07:16:55 PM »

Quote from: Cookiemann on November 19, 2007, 01:56:34 PM

Which Handi caliber for deer?? Why??
Only from these choices, PLEASE.
30-30
44 Mag
45LC
357 Mag

Hunting done in thick to moderate cover with some open grassy areas. Shots of 100yds or less.

cookiemann

None of the above...

I honestly would take a 45-70 over any of them with this type of terrain & distance...

Mac

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 19, 2007, 10:52:21 PM »

Another vote for the efficient 30-30, which stands alone as the all time deer getter, out to 200 yards.

Just from your description, you could possibly be looking at a 150 to 175 yard or longer shot, and the 30-30 would be a comfort to have if the shot presented itself!

Default · « **Reply #17 on:** November 20, 2007, 02:46:00 AM »

Now while im not against the old time tested 30-30 by any means i myself would go with the 44 mag... i have owned a Ruger deerfield in that chambering and loved it , took a few nice animals with it , and maybe in the single shot platform the recoil is different ... but i wouldnt think it to be more recoil then the 44 in a rifle setup .The 30-30 that is.. anyways just my opinion

BTW i own one of the 357 handis .... and if a shooter that is a little more timid to recoil might shoot your choice i can with all certainty say that the 357 is absolute pleasure to shoot ..but as the boys said those are all good caliber choices ..Good luck with your desicion

Default

PartsMan · « **Reply #18 on:** November 20, 2007, 03:04:47 AM »

30-30 with 170g fp.
They will all hit a deer at 100 but the 30-30 will shoot much flatter.

Dillohide · « **Reply #19 on:** November 20, 2007, 03:30:54 AM »

I agree with PartsMan. The bullet performance of the 170 grain flat point in a 30-30 is impressive at the distances you describe and can reach out further if needed.

Dusty Wheeler · « **Reply #20 on:** November 20, 2007, 04:45:58 AM »

.30-30! Best of the group and circumstances you set forth. Having said that, my favorite of the group is the .45 Colt. Seems like Quick is getting around 1900 FPS with a Speer Gold Dot. At 1200 FPS it is devastating in a Ruger Blackhawk...

30-06man · « **Reply #21 on:** November 20, 2007, 05:37:08 AM »

30-30 is perfect for what you need.

Rick

cascadedad · « **Reply #22 on:** November 20, 2007, 06:37:49 AM »

I was going to say a big magnum with a super big scope, but that isn't an option, so I'll go with the 30-30......just because it is the closest.

Spanky · « **Reply #23 on:** November 20, 2007, 06:43:56 AM »

I'd go with the 30-30.

Ammo. is pretty cheap and can be found anywhere.
30-30 has the longest range of the 4
Hardly any recoil but still hits plenty hard enough for most if not all big game (with proper placement)
It's a 30-30!!

I have a 30-30 Handi and a 30-30 Glenfield and I love them both.

Spanky

Cookiemann · « **Reply #24 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:08:12 PM »

Thanks, guys. Looks like I will be in the market for a 30-30 in the spring. No cash before Christmas, but in the spring I WILL be shoppin' for a 30-30. I was kinda leanin' that way and you all confirmed it.
Thanks.

cookiemann

moxgrove · « **Reply #25 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:56:19 PM »

Be sure to check out the Frontiersman around tax time . They always get a lot of guns in around then. I'm personally trying to stay away for a while. There's a Mauser converted to 12 gauge shotgun in there that sings a siren song to me whenever I walk in.

Cookiemann · « **Reply #26 on:** November 20, 2007, 02:36:07 PM »

I don't know about the Frontiersman. Is it a store?

moxgrove · « **Reply #27 on:** November 20, 2007, 03:22:42 PM »

Yup It's on 394 right where it turns into 12? You know the Golden Valley/ St Louis Park border.
I don't know if you come north of the river much, but it is worth the trip. There is also a pawn shop on Lyndale and 76th street that sometimes has some good deals.

andrewtheelder38 · « **Reply #28 on:** November 20, 2007, 04:09:40 PM »

...I also vote for the 30-30.....for the same reason tim gave.....it and the 44 magnum are tied for killing power at all ranges, but the old 30-30 has a slightly flatter trajectory, and with the 150 grain bullet it is very accurate, and with the 170 grain bullets it ismore than accurate for 99-percent of all deer hunting...

...In a related vein, one old time Canadian hunter who is believed to have killed more moose than any other hunter in history also killed a bunch of them with nothing more than a 30-30....and he feld that the 170-grain bullet was a more reliable killer with almost 100-percent of them mushrooming and ending up just short of exiting the animal.....

food for thought....

you cannot go wrong with either the 44 or the 30-30 in my mind.

...and at these prices, what the heck, get the rifle in 30-30 and order a barrel in 44 next spring.

...god bless marlin firearms and new engand firearms.