Author Topic: Oklahoma deer calibers (Read 1987 times)

mattmillerrx · « **on:** May 25, 2009, 07:21:51 AM »

I thought I would see what you guys are using. I have always used a .270 win ruger #1. All purpose gun.

I used a .44 mag marlin last year. I have a peep sight on it and plan to use it for shots from 25-100 yrds with most being around 50.

I just got a ruger #1 in 45-70 and will try it out some this year. I have only just begun to play with this. I got it to have a big game rifle for future hunts but will use on deer for fun. I put a peep sight on it and I think sighted in correctly it can be made a 150 yrd gun. Maybe 200. 200 for sure if I scope it with something that will allow for multi-distances like a mil dot or one of the others. But I most likely will leave the peep on it.

I also plan to try out a .357 mag 686 this year, also just got last year. This is a 25 yrd shot, out to 50. Just to hunt with a handgun.

Specklebelly · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2009, 10:35:05 AM »

All I use is the good ole trusty 30-06. This is the only centerfire gun I have ever shot big game with. It has worked on both deer and my cow elk with no problem.

I use a 4.5 x 14 scope and leave it on 14 all the time. Having horrible sight makes using anything with less power quite a challenge. I could not even think about shooting iron sights over 30-40 yards.

I bought a single shot 25-06 several years ago but never have used it other than for targets. If my son gets a controlled hunt this year he will use it since the 30 kicks a little hard.

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2009, 11:56:55 AM »

I bet we get a lot of 30-06 responses. I have an 03A3 in that as well, I did not mention. And could use that as well and someday probably will, it is all original and I use it in a match at my local range and to play with. It has been mostly my reloading experiment this past year and was a lot of fun.

MGM

addicted · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2009, 03:23:06 PM »

Well first I will throw out the typical calibers used then spill the beans on what I use.

I see a lot of deer hunters use the .25-06, .270 Win and .30-06; which I think are great classic good shooting calibers.

I have a Rem. 700 in 7WSM that I use for everything past 100-150 yards. Then I have my T/C Prohunter rifle in 460 S&W Mag with a 20" barrel for anything closer.

Joel

ONE HOLE 4570 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 26, 2009, 07:34:16 AM »

308 & 444 also 30-30 depends on the mood all lever guns, & my son uses 7-08 model 7 youth

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #5 on:** May 26, 2009, 08:37:04 AM »

Ok we got the 30-06 family out of the way. And finally started on the 308 family.

I got one more I think I am going to set up this year as well. I am currently working on small game/preditor for a 6 mm/284 with 70 gr tnt bullets. I think next I will try some 100-110 or 95 what ever I can find most likely and use as a backup/friend gun for deer this year. As I have at least one friend, that will be hunting with me this year for the first time and does not have a deer gun yet. I have been wanting a 7mm-08 for a while but just don't need one as you can see.

Forgive my spelling, no spell check at work.

catkiller · « **Reply #6 on:** May 26, 2009, 08:22:55 PM »

I was shooting a 25-06 when nobody around knew what they were.I still use one or my 6mm rem. ,.243,7mag.,257 roberts,240 weath.mag etc.

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** May 27, 2009, 02:00:01 AM »

There is no better deer cartridge than the .270 Winchester. The exact same thing can be said for the 7-08, .280 Remington and .30-06. Taken as a group they are each and all as ideal for deer hunting as it gets and there honestly isn't any difference in their effectiveness or range for deer hunting. I guess the .308 could be tossed in as well.

More powerful rounds add only recoil to the equation.

jwv · « **Reply #8 on:** May 27, 2009, 06:06:19 AM »

I use a 30-06 in Rem.700 ADL, My son uses a 25-06 in Win.model 70.Both are more then enough to get the job done. Jack

okielectrician · « **Reply #9 on:** May 27, 2009, 12:06:51 PM »

If hunting where shots are over 150yds I use my 270win if I am hunting thick woods I use my win94 30-30
During muzzleloader season I use my T/C 54cal Hawken

backstrap · « **Reply #10 on:** May 27, 2009, 01:02:37 PM »

I used to us a ruger mkll 30/06 but have always wanted a 25/06, and bought a browning A bolt in 25/06 and have used it the last 2 years really like the cal and rifle,and have used a H&R 243 1 time its not the most accurate little rifle but it got the job done.The 30/06 kicks a little to much for me to shoot it much, any more i keep it sighted in but dont deer hunt with it any more

addicted · « **Reply #11 on:** May 28, 2009, 04:08:11 PM »

Hey mattmillerrx,

For that 6mm/284 you might look into loading up some heavy Berger VLD's as they have a awesome B.C. and are very accurate to boot for deer size game.

Joel

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #12 on:** May 29, 2009, 06:51:20 AM »

I load some 70 gr tnt for small game. Still have 4 more loads to test but so far am only getting 2 in groups. I load some 100g speer boattails to try as well. If it likes them better I may try the VDL's. If not I am going to free float the barrel and retry something else. Not sure of the twist on this one. I think it is 1:9 but not 100%. Going after work to test loads.

MGM

FourBee · « **Reply #13 on:** May 29, 2009, 07:34:19 AM »

For years around SE Oklahoma the popular calibers were 30.06 and .270's. You'd think the 30-30 would be the choice because of the rugged mountainous terrain with lots of timber.

But modern times seems to have changed even the old customs. Just the other day while visiting a local gun shop, some oldtimers were over in one corner chatting about deer hunting rifles. The top subject was the .223 Remington. I chimmed in and asked something about it being a little too light of a load, and did I ever get an arousing response. I would never have thought those old guy would be using that caliber. Maybe it's because they can't take to punishment of the larger calibers like they use to.

?

JW/OK · « **Reply #14 on:** May 29, 2009, 12:36:57 PM »

Encore in 280 Rem, Ruger M77 MII in 7 Rem Mag for open spaces. SBH in 44 Mag and G2 Contender with 12" 30/30 for woods hunting. Managed to take a South Dakota Antelpoe last year with the G2 Contender 12" 45/70.

JW/OK · « **Reply #15 on:** May 29, 2009, 12:38:19 PM »

Oops, that was an Antelope with the 45/70!

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #16 on:** May 30, 2009, 06:07:22 AM »

What was the range on that goat? What kinda of load do you use with a 12 inch contender? trapdoor? I am hoping to do an antelope hunt some time in the next few years.

poncaguy · « **Reply #17 on:** July 14, 2009, 01:20:06 PM »

Too many, usually 270 WSM or 270, then 7-08, 300 WSM also.................TC pistol's I use 7-08, 7-30 Waters and 6.8SPC............460 S&W available, but not used much

JW/OK · « **Reply #18 on:** July 15, 2009, 02:05:46 PM »

Matt,

That goat was 130 steps and I'm 6' 3". I was shooting factory 300 grain jacketed bullets not sure what brand it was. Had a 1 1/2 power Tasco on the barrel. At that range the antelope looked rather small. My uncle was about a mile away and said he knew it was me cause he never heard no rifle sound like that.

Old Fart · « **Reply #19 on:** August 25, 2009, 08:02:12 AM »

For years it was 7mag in my Sako.
Of late I'm leaning towards 35rem in my marlin.
I also have a little lever action sr92 in 357mag for when I want light carry.

JPShelton · « **Reply #20 on:** September 07, 2009, 11:38:19 PM »

I live in Tahlequah and hunt deer locally with a Handi-Rifle cambered in .223 Remington, using 62 grain Barnes TSX bullets. Drops 'em in their tracks, every time.

-JP