I've killed a bunch with a 358 Norma with heavy bullets! Less damage than a 243 or 257 if you shoot them through the ribs. Does and such for meat I'd just snip their heads off.

I often use the .375-.416's for doe season, just to get used to shooting game with the big bores. I've also killed a big whitetail with the 9.3x62 loaded with 286, can't remember if they were NP or North Forks, but he was running at 125-150 yards and his head dropped and he went end over end. Not sure about overkill, but he was killed quickly.

I have shot hundreds of plainsgame for camp and on cull with the 9.3x62, 375, 416, even the 458 Lott, even a few with the 505 Gibbs and the 450-400 and 470 and most with soft nose bullets.

A 243 or 270 kills the deer size animals quicker mostly DRT, and it bloodshoots more meat..and the 22-250 is like a lighting strike on deer and ruins one whole side on ocassion.

The big bores? you can eat right up to the bullet hole, its the size of a broom handle on both sides and the blood trail is 3 inches deep in blood on both sides for about 25 to 75 yards..Take your pick. I like the big bore option or my 25-35..I hate ruining meat.

I have shot a bunch of whitetail deer, wild pigs, a couple of bears, bobcats, several coyotes and a bunch of African game with the 9,3x74R.
I have used several different bullets in factory and handloads from the 232 Vulcan, to the 286 grainers.

I think the 9,3x62 and the 9,3x74R are two of the best hunting calibres, on the planet, for ANY game. I have also taken giraffe, cape buff and elephant with my 9,3x74R.
If I did not have so much 375 H&H "stuff" I would definately have a 9,3x62 bolt rifle.

So, no, I do not think the 9,3's are too much for deer.

quote:

But a hevy slow bullet dose penitrate nicely..

Well, a properly chosen heavy and FAST bullet penetrates even better.

I filled my whitetail doe tag last night with a 286 NP from my CZ550 9,3. Shot was was about 125 yards, side-on in heavy brush. Two jumps and a fall down and the hunt was over. The heart, lungs and liver were destroyed, so there was evidence of a lot of energy in there, but just a 37 cal hole in and a little bigger one going out. I'm very impressed with the performance and the outcome.
Shotgun

quote:

Originally posted by Jim C. <><:

quote:

But a hevy slow bullet dose penitrate nicely..

Well, a properly chosen heavy and FAST bullet penetrates even better.

And beat the snot out of you in the process. It's a whitetail, fergawdzake, not a sauropod.