Weapon of Choice

[3apantherfan]

Whats your preferred bow or Caliber for taking deer?

I haven't been doing much rifle hunting over the last few years, as i got into bow hunting, I love it, and really have no intrest in carrying a rifle! When i do i have a 30-06, and I shoot a Diamond Hornet! I got about 5 years ago!

[tvc184]

The last deer that I killed with a rifle (last year) was with a Savage in .223 Remington. It will shoot dime size groups at 100 yards with my hunting ammo.  Most of the other deer that I have killed with a rifle have been with a Remington 700 in .270 Winchester.

I hope to use the .223 again this year. 

[Lefty99]

[quote name="tvc184" post="697332" timestamp="1257382292"]
The last deer that I killed with a rifle (last year) was with a Savage in .223 Remington. It will shoot dime size groups at 100 yards with my hunting ammo.  Most of the other deer that I have killed with a rifle have been with a Remington 700 in .270 Winchester.

I hope to use the .223 again this year. 
[/quote]


I've got a Mini-14 that I dialed in yesterday ready for the weekend.

[Bucof2010]

When possible I like my .30-.30 I can take head shots at up to 75 yds no problem with it...its small and easy to carry through woods.

Other than that my .270 is all I need around here

[tvc184]

[quote name="Bucof2010" post="697442" timestamp="1257388091"]
When possible I like my .30-.30 I can take head shots at up to 75 yds no problem with it...its small and easy to carry through woods.

Other than that my .270 is all I need around here
[/quote]

A .270 is all you need anywhere unless you are going for something bigger than elk.

[tvc184]

[quote name="Lefty99" post="697414" timestamp="1257386988"]
[quote author=tvc184 link=topic=61867.msg697332#msg697332 date=1257382292]
The last deer that I killed with a rifle (last year) was with a Savage in .223 Remington. It will shoot dime size groups at 100 yards with my hunting ammo.  Most of the other deer that I have killed with a rifle have been with a Remington 700 in .270 Winchester.

I hope to use the .223 again this year. 
[/quote]


I've got a Mini-14 that I dialed in yesterday ready for the weekend.
[/quote]

What kind of ammo you shoot in the Mini for deer? I use some Federal bonded ammo that will not break apart and will penetrate 18" after expanding up to .45 caliber.

[Bucof2010]

[quote name="tvc184" post="697547" timestamp="1257392641"]
[quote author=Bucof2010 link=topic=61867.msg697442#msg697442 date=1257388091]
When possible I like my .30-.30 I can take head shots at up to 75 yds no problem with it...its small and easy to carry through woods.

Other than that my .270 is all I need around here
[/quote]

A .270 is all you need anywhere unless you are going for something bigger than elk.
[/quote]

I've heard it won't cover some of the distances in west texas

[tvc184]

[quote name="Bucof2010" post="697562" timestamp="1257393324"]
[quote author=tvc184 link=topic=61867.msg697547#msg697547 date=1257392641]

A .270 is all you need anywhere unless you are going for something bigger than elk.
[/quote]

I've heard it won't cover some of the distances in west texas
[/quote]

Yeah, I wasn't thinking of distances, only bullet power. I think the .270 is okay out to 300 yards though.

[Bucof2010]

[quote name="tvc184" post="697566" timestamp="1257393482"]
[quote author=Bucof2010 link=topic=61867.msg697562#msg697562 date=1257393324]
[quote author=tvc184 link=topic=61867.msg697547#msg697547 date=1257392641]

A .270 is all you need anywhere unless you are going for something bigger than elk.
[/quote]

I've heard it won't cover some of the distances in west texas
[/quote]

Yeah, I wasn't thinking of distances, only bullet power. I think the .270 is okay out to 300 yards though.
[/quote]

Which is ample for me anywhere but there's the mythical 350-500 yd shots that I'll have to see to believe

[liltex]

Hunting in or near thickets w/surrounding oak flats I love my 12 ga.Benelli pump 3 1/2"mag.copper coated 00 buckshot-knocks em all down-no lost or wounded deer/hogs.

[BearBryant]

270 or 30-06 are my favorites.

[Lefty99]

[quote name="tvc184" post="697556" timestamp="1257393234"]
[quote author=Lefty99 link=topic=61867.msg697414#msg697414 date=1257386988]
[quote author=tvc184 link=topic=61867.msg697332#msg697332 date=1257382292]
The last deer that I killed with a rifle (last year) was with a Savage in .223 Remington. It will shoot dime size groups at 100 yards with my hunting ammo.  Most of the other deer that I have killed with a rifle have been with a Remington 700 in .270 Winchester.

I hope to use the .223 again this year.  
[/quote]


I've got a Mini-14 that I dialed in yesterday ready for the weekend.
[/quote]

What kind of ammo you shoot in the Mini for deer? I use some Federal bonded ammo that will not break apart and will penetrate 18" after expanding up to .45 caliber.
[/quote]

I have some hand load 63 grain that my dad made for me.  I've seen it destroy vitals out to 100 yards with the 55 grain SPBT.  Not many people realize how much damage they will cause.  What grain do you shoot?  I may have to look into the Federal bonded.

[txstar]

I've hunted all over Texas for over 30 years and I see many hunters use different calibers, but they always seem to go back to the .270.  I think it is the best all around caliber, with good decent power, awesome accurac, and accuracy is easy to find. I used the Federal Premium 130 grain and saw success.  I think the most important thing to remember is to shoot a gun you have confidence in and are not afraid to shoot.  I shoot a .300 win mag and it shoots a dime sized (bullet holes touch each other) at 200 yards with a group of 3-4. Never been a big fan of the .243, but alot of people love them, but I believe anything from a 25.06 on up (25wssm, 260 Rem, 257 Weatherby, 264 win mag, 270wssm, 280 Rem) will do depending on where you are hunting.  Deer in deep south Texas, old bucks get up to 240+ lbs., and I shoot the .300 because I'm not into tracking, however, it has made me deaf.   Anything under 400 yds. will usually hit the ground.  Ya'll have a successful season and be careful getting in and out of stands.

[Lefty99]

[quote name="txstar" post="697672" timestamp="1257424623"]
I've hunted all over Texas for over 30 years and I see many hunters use different calibers, but they always seem to go back to the .270.  I think it is the best all around caliber, with good decent power, awesome accurac, and accuracy is easy to find. I used the Federal Premium 130 grain and saw success.  I think the most important thing to remember is to shoot a gun you have confidence in and are not afraid to shoot.  I shoot a .300 win mag and it shoots a dime sized (bullet holes touch each other) at 200 yards with a group of 3-4. Never been a big fan of the .243, but alot of people love them, but I believe anything from a 25.06 on up (25wssm, 260 Rem, 257 Weatherby, 264 win mag, 270wssm, 280 Rem) will do depending on where you are hunting.  Deer in deep south Texas, old bucks get up to 240+ lbs., and I shoot the .300 because I'm not into tracking, however, it has made me deaf.   Anything under 400 yds. will usually hit the ground.  Ya'll have a successful season and be careful getting in and out of stands.
[/quote]


Good post.  I use my .270 90% of my hunts but in herrited the Mini-14 this yr from my grandfather and really want to kill something with it.  Truth be told I really love my .270.

[tvc184]

[quote name="Lefty99" post="697670" timestamp="1257424273"]


I have some hand load 63 grain that my dad made for me.  I've seen it destroy vitals out to 100 yards with the 55 grain SPBT.  Not many people realize how much damage they will cause.  What grain do you shoot?  I may have to look into the Federal bonded.
[/quote]

I use 62 grain. Yep, the .223 destroys lots of tissue and is very deadly on deer. People don't like them because the rounds tend to explode inside of the deer and not exit. Sometimes the deer run a way before they drop with the small round and don't leave much of a blood trail. That is why I tried the Federal bonded to see how they penetrated. I shot a doe with it last November and waited until she was quartering away. I want the longest distance to travel through the body to see if the round would penetrate. The round probably went 12-14 inches through her chest at the angle I shot her and the round left about a .50 caliber hole on the exit wound.

Awesome rounds but they are pretty expensive. The way they work and how many times I fire a round each year, I don't mind the extra expense.

[westend1]

My son has killed lots of animals with his .223, with just factory loads.  I haven't seen much difference in stopping power from the .243.  He has knocked down whitetail, big pigs, axis and even an Auodad.  i know they are not recommended for the larger game, but a well placed shot will stop about anything in the hill country.

[tvc184]

[quote name="westend1" post="697900" timestamp="1257440079"]
My son has killed lots of animals with his .223, with just factory loads.  I haven't seen much difference in stopping power from the .243.   He has knocked down whitetail, big pigs, axis and even an Auodad.  i know they are not recommended for the larger game, but a well placed shot will stop about anything in the hill country.
[/quote]

HA... shows how little you know. You need at least a 300 Win Mag to knock down whitetails in Texas.  ;D

[BearBryant]

Hell a well placed shot from a .22 will knock down most anything in Texas. 

[tvc184]

[quote name="bearbryant" post="698305" timestamp="1257465923"]
heck a well placed shot from a .22 will knock down most anything in Texas. 
[/quote]

Yeah, if it is well placed in the head.

[ranchhand 79]

Personally, I have killed all my deer with a Remington 700 .270 w/ 130 grain. From 20 yds to 400 yds, all over Texas, never had a complaint. As far as archery, the Mathews Monster is just what the name implies. Have had one for about two months and it is a fine bow. Took a shot on a 130+" @ 50 yds, and if it wasn't for me misjudging the distance, would have been no problem. Don't leave without a range finder now.

[tvc184]

I might be looking at the new Bowtech Destroyer 350.

[Guest happyhour4]

i love my 25-06 its one of the best guns i have ever had

[sportshustler]

ive had some pretty good luck with my ak47

[tvc184]

AK's are okay for deer if they are as wide as a barn or less than 30 yards away.  :D

[sportshustler]

i know :D