[JonM]

nope. 30-06 or .308 is all you need.

i however use a .458 win mag winchester model 70 super express. i load it at 45-70 levels. do i need it for deer?? no. but i like 45cal firearms. of all my guns its my favorite. bought it in the late 80's been using it for huning since then. puts a nice neat .45 hole the deer goes no where with less meat damage than a 30-06 or 308. recoil is comparable to a 12ga 3inch slug. works wonders on hog.

[theicemanmpls]

More deer have be taken with a 30/30 then all others combined.

Do you need a magnum for deer? No.

Here, we can legally use a soft point .223. Bullet placement is critical.

If you hand load the 30/06 is perfect. Heavy bullet, heavy charge for elk. Reduced charge and bullet for deer. Or use heavy charge and bullet for deer. Dead is dead. You get the idea.

Don't be duped by the gun writers. Don't be fooled by sayings suchs as
"carry the largest gun you can comfortably shoot".

It has been, and always will be about bullet placement.

[jpattersonnh]

Originally Posted by theicemanmpls

More deer have be taken with a 30/30 then all others combined.

Not sure if that is 100% true, but I would also look at a .30-30. There are so many flavors of vg standard calibers. You may be able to find a different caliber such as a 6.5x55, 7x57 or 8x57 that will take deer and larger without issue. Calibers are like ice cream w/ more than 31 flavors. I really want a .257 Roberts next.

[opaww]

Magnum rifles are Boys guns...Because a man will shoot it once and put it down and walk away from it...A boy will keep shooting it insisting that it only hurts a little

[c3shooter]

Ref: most deer taken by caliber- The most popular deer rifle in the US is the Winchester 94, in 30-30. Second most popular? Marlin 336- in caliber 30-30.

[RairWeatherSmok]

A round here we use a bumper guard & skid plate and hope it doesn't get to the windshield.

[joshfireart]

Originally Posted by opaww

Magnum rifles are Boys guns...Because a man will shoot it once and put it down and walk away from it...A boy will keep shooting it insisting that it only hurts a little

well im a 49 year old kid just killed my deer one shot between the eyes at 235 yards with my hand loaded 77 grains of reloader 22 200 grain speer soft point it lifted and removed the whole top of its head GOSH i love my 338 win