I voted 30/06 because it is in my hand the most when I've hunted deer. The 22/250 would be the second place for me as I've carried it for deer many many trips.
Personnaly when carrying my 30/06 and only deer hunting I've always considered myself over gunned as it is my favorite elk rifle and often I hunt deer and elk at the same time.
I've killed a lot of deer with other rounds as well.
30/30, .32 Rem, 300 Weatherby, 22 LR, and a few others but seems that I carry the 30/06 the most.

I’m voted for the .270 Win but last year I hunted with the following:
.257 Roberts killed 1
.25-06 Rem
.30-30 killed 1
.308 Win
.270 Win killed 2
.270 Weatherby
8x57 Mauser

Unfortunately with our goofy laws, I've been stuck with the 12 Ga shotgun locally.

Given a choice, I would use a 30-06, but that's not what was asked.

308 in a Whitworth, had the rifle 25 years lots of good memories.

7x57 in a 1954 BSA hunter, I would but a new one if available today – had a bore scope in it and it worried me, the targets don’t.

25/06 in Tikka T3 with a moderator – shoots like a rim fire, slightly heavy but easy on the ears.

Rifles I hate 308 in a Krico Stutzen, horrendous muzzle flip and very unpleasant to use.

The rifle and cartridge need considering jointly, together with the scope that influences the weight, balance and handling.

For English Deer the 7x57 works with small Muntjac to a large Red with 139g bullets, so if I only had one rifle that would be the choice.

Gidday Guys,

For years the most carried and used rifle was a Sako Forrester in 243win.

Now it is a Model Seven in 260.

I have been well served by both and they have never let me down.

Happy Hunting

Hamish

I hunt on a 4,800 working farm in middle georgia. Last year I used:
1. 257Bob John Lewis m700 la action
2. 308 Win Stock Remington M7MS
3. 35 Whelen Stock M700KS
4. 270 win John Lewis M70 Classic action

If I could only hunt with 1 gun, it would be an early Jarette 30'06 built on a SAKO AIII action.

Looks like 30-'06 and 270Win are pretty much at a dead heat (so far) with OTHER coming up third.

Surprising some of the "other" cartridges that people use.

Fun to see what deer cartridges are actually being used out there.

---Mike

I voted other. I have killed more with my 26-06 than anything else I use.

quote:

Originally posted by Flippy:

quote:

Originally posted by KSTEPHENS:
2 different questions.
What's the most popular deer cartridge?
30-06
What cartridge do you use most when hunting DEER?
308

The poll results will answer the first question. (thread/poll title)
Maybe I should have called it "What is the most popular deer cartridge AR posters use."

The second question is for you to answer.

There is always one...

sales indicate more than your pole. US sales have always shown 30-06 to be the #1 seller.

quote:

US sales have always shown 30-06 to be the #1 seller.

1) ALWAYS is a pretty all-inclusive term.

2)Where do you get your "US sales" data?

I started with a 30-06 went to a 270 and have since changed to a 280. Its as good as it gets! I've also used just about ever calibre from 6mm to 416 Rem. The 280 ends up my go to gun.

Whole safe full of rifles of many different breads and cals. More often then not my trusty old Rem 788 in 308 win. Killed more deer and elk with that rifle than all the others combined. It just shoots so well, and fells so right in my hands.
X

quote:

Originally posted by olarmy:

quote:

Originally posted by KSTEPHENS:
sales indicate more than your pole.
US sales have always shown 30-06 to be the #1 seller.

1) ALWAYS is a pretty all-inclusive term.

2)Where do you get your "US sales" data?

Sales of ammo and reloading dies does not always indicate what people actually use for hunting, especially deer. Shooting and hunting are two totally different things.
AND different parts of the country use different cartridges. (or shotguns for that matter) Some people also reload for enjoyment and to keep their favorite "old" rifle useable. My Mod99 300Sav is a perfect example.
I used it for years, and back east, lever guns are used more than out west, believe it or not.
Not too many 30-'06 lever guns out there...

There is also a whole bunch of "homeguard" type shoots (using Garands and 03's) that also factor in to the sales of dies and reloading supplies.

Just look at the "other" and the 270 results in this pole. While not scientific by any means, it does make an interesting discussion, but apparently NOT for you.

KSTEPHENS, feel free to exclude yourself, I'm sure no one will mind.

In this forum, "other" and 270Win are giving 30-'06 a run for its money.

2007 season...9.3x62 and 6.5x55
2006 season...6.5-06
2005 season...6.5x57
seasons before these...270, 7mm mag, 6.5 rem mag, 30-06
i voted "other"

I'm surprised that the 30-30 wasn't picked. I'm pretty sure it has killed more deer through the years. Does anyone know of any actual statistics on what caliber is used most by deer hunters in this country?

quote:

US sales have always shown 30-06 to be the #1 seller.

This may have been the case years ago but not now. In both gun shops that I visit, Cabelas and Sportsmans, the 300RUM is the most popular. Followed by the 300WSM and then 300WM.

Word on the street is that these rocky mts deer and elk have grown intolerant to anything less than a 300 Mag. Hell I even bought one.

For myself perhaps not the most popular, but I have taken the most deer with and old WWII Mauser in 8X57. Second is a 6.5X55 Sako. Third a Steyr in 6.5 X57. Not all are bang flop but all have been found and made it to the freezer. The Steyrs deer were bang flop four never went beyond 50 yards. All fell at the first hit two got up and then fell again before out of sight.

Whitetail or Mule Deer?

Muledeer is the 06 or 270 with most folks.

Whitetail is probably the .308.

But the favorite voids all posts, that indicates a personal choice of each of us..therefore mine is the 25-35 and 30-30 but I know they are not the ultimate calibers. I just like to hunt deer with them and iron sights.

quote:

Originally posted by Flippy:

quote:

Originally posted by olarmy:

quote:

US sales have always shown 30-06 to be the #1 seller.

1) ALWAYS is a pretty all-inclusive term.

2)Where do you get your "US sales" data?

Sales of ammo and reloading dies does not always indicate what people actually use for hunting, especially deer. Shooting and hunting are two totally different things.
AND different parts of the country use different cartridges. (or shotguns for that matter) Some people also reload for enjoyment and to keep their favorite "old" rifle useable. My Mod99 300Sav is a perfect example.
I used it for years, and back east, lever guns are used more than out west, believe it or not.
Not too many 30-'06 lever guns out there...

There is also a whole bunch of "homeguard" type shoots (using Garands and 03's) that also factor in to the sales of dies and reloading supplies.

Just look at the "other" and the 270 results in this pole. While not scientific by any means, it does make an interesting discussion, but apparently NOT for you. Feel free to exclude yourself, I'm sure no one will mind.

In this forum, "other" and 270Win are giving 30-'06 a run for its money.

Flippy: I guess I have to assume that you were addressing your comments to me since you quoted my post.

If so, I fail to see where asking KSTEPHENS where he got his information would engender a response such as "Feel free to exclude yourself"

quote:

Originally posted by olarmy:

quote:

Originally posted by Flippy:

quote:

Originally posted by olarmy:

quote:

Originally posted by KSTEPHENS:
sales indicate more than your pole.
US sales have always shown 30-06 to be the #1 seller.

1) ALWAYS is a pretty all-inclusive term.

2)Where do you get your "US sales" data?

Sales of ammo and reloading dies does not always indicate what people actually use for hunting, especially deer. Shooting and hunting are two totally different things.
AND different parts of the country use different cartridges. (or shotguns for that matter) Some people also reload for enjoyment and to keep their favorite "old" rifle useable. My Mod99 300Sav is a perfect example.
I used it for years, and back east, lever guns are used more than out west, believe it or not.
Not too many 30-'06 lever guns out there...

There is also a whole bunch of "homeguard" type shoots (using Garands and 03's) that also factor in to the sales of dies and reloading supplies.

Just look at the "other" and the 270 results in this pole. While not scientific by any means, it does make an interesting discussion, but apparently NOT for you.

KSTEPHENS, feel free to exclude yourself, I'm sure no one will mind.

In this forum, "other" and 270Win are giving 30-'06 a run for its money.

Flippy: I guess I have to assume that you were addressing your comments to me since you quoted my post.

If so, I fail to see where asking KSTEPHENS where he got his information would engender a response such as "Feel free to exclude yourself"

Sorry, my apologies. I was referring to KSTEPHENS, I fixed my first post.
I was agreeing with you.

This was NEVER intended to be scientific, just for fun.

---Mike

Flippy: no problem. thanks for clarifying. I, too, get tired of his broad, unsupported, condescending, pontifications.

I really like the 257 roberts also

If it ain't the 7-08, it oughter be. So there, neener, neener, neener.

I have used quite a few different calibers for hunting ,but have settled back down to the ol' 30-06.

quote:

Originally posted by stillbeeman:
If it ain't the 7-08, it oughter be. So there, neener, neener, neener.

That makes two for the 7mm-08, you and Bob from Texas. I would call that keeping good company.

Three, three, do I hear three?

quote:

Originally posted by xm15e2m4:
I voted other. I have killed more with my 26-06 than anything else I use.

I missed this the first time.

Did you really mean 26-06 or was that a typo?

Very surprising results so far: (172 votes)

30-'06, 44 votes;
270Win, 37 votes;
other, 33 votes.

With all the wildcats and ecclectic cartridges out there (especially around here!), the 102-year-old 30-'06 and 84-year-old Winchester 270 account for just under half the votes.

quote:

Originally posted by Flippy:
Very surprising results so far: (172 votes)

30-'06, 44 votes;
270Win, 37 votes;
other, 33 votes.

With all the wildcats and ecclectic cartridges out there (especially around here!), the 102-year-old 30-'06 and 84-year-old Winchester 270 account for just under half the votes.

Whats surprising about it?

lets see...
On the first reply to this thread I said " What's the most popular deer cartridge? 30-06
Now poll results show that 30-06 is clearly the winner and you want to argue with me over a source of total US sales?
Why the friction, boy.
I told you what the answer to your little poll was 30 min after you posted it and now you want to argue with me?
I guess telling you what the results were going to be was too much of a " broad, unsupported, condescending, pontification"

Sucks that i was right, huh?

quote:

Originally posted by KSTEPHENS:
sales indicate more than your pole.

quote:

Originally posted by KSTEPHENS:
Whats surprising about it?

lets see...
On the first reply to this thread I said " What's the most popular deer cartridge? 30-06
Now poll results show that 30-06 is clearly the winner and you want to argue with me over a source of total US sales?
Why the friction, boy.
I told you what the answer to your little poll was 30 min after you posted it and now you want to argue with me?
I guess telling you what the results were going to be was too much of a " broad, unsupported, condescending, pontification"

Sucks that i was right, huh?

Right? If you look at it this way, after 172 votes, only 44 people still use the 30-’06.

In this very unscientific pole, after 172 votes (clearly a cross-section of the whole country, LOL), 30-’06 is ahead by 7 votes over 270Win and 11 over “other.â€

Sales of ammo and reloading supplies do not by themselves automatically crown a victor.
It’s what people actually use.

Oh and the friction is just for fun to push your buttons…boy
Why do you think I posted the results?

Nice to know I can still control you with just a few words…

Now why don’t you be a nice "boy" and go back to the political forum where you came from?

And to think he turned down being the poster child for birth control...

voted other, i have used the 6.5X55 in a Rem 700 classic to kill the highest percentage of deer with the 30-06 right behind it. Have also used a .358win in a BLR and 44mag in a Win94 and Ruger deerfield.

Growing up in Michigan and Ohio 12 ga.

After moving to Idaho 30-06 and soon 25-06

FLIPPY,
Put that Remington away and get that Savage back in the field. What are you thinking man?

I don't see the venerable 30-30 as #1 anymore. How many do you see in deer camps these days? I just haven't seen anyone under the age of 60 with one in field for years. Faster calibers and big scopes seems to be what people are buying and hunting with even here in the Southeast.

I have used:

300 RSAUM
7X57
30-06
30-30

but my favorite is 7X57

quote:

Originally posted by 450/400 Jeffrey's:
FLIPPY,
Put that Remington away and get that Savage back in the field. What are you thinking man?

I don't see the venerable 30-30 as #1 anymore. How many do you see in deer camps these days? I just haven't seen anyone under the age of 60 with one in field for years. Faster calibers and big scopes seems to be what people are buying and hunting with even here in the Southeast.

Well 450 it’s like this…
The 740 Remington belonged to a very dear friend of mine who passed away a few years back.
I sold it to him for a song when I worked in a gun store about 5 or so years ago.
It was a low serial number gun (I believe first year) and was in pretty rough shape, but functioned very well.
He being a gunsmith (and a darn fine one at that) proceeded to blow it apart, rebarrel it, reblue it, trigger job, hone the action, and put a nice old-school Fajen stock on it. It really looks nice (better than new) and it is a shooter.
Plus, every time I pick it up, I think of Ron-the-Rifleman working on it every evening, filing, honing, checkering…

I hunt more in central and eastern Oregon these days where it is more open and the 30-’06 just makes more sense. My 99 is on semi-permanent loan to a disabled friend of mine who absolutely loves it.

Usually I don't weigh inb on a thread that has so many contributors -but being a cantankerous old man (and also Irish) I love to pick a fight.

Just a few observations - Some of the calibers mentioned seem excessive "overgunning" like a 7 Rem. Mag. or a 300 Win.Mag. (In all my remarks I'm talking only about white tails so I fully concede the right of Western hunters to be able to "reach out" and take deer at long ranges)

Very high velocity bullets (over 3000 fps) don't work so well in Eastern woods. That's a fact because the slightest touch against so much as a twig will throw the bullet off.

Yeah, being an old man who shot a number of deer with the old 170 gr. 30-30, I like the 30-30 for shots in dense woods - if I'm allowed to shoot at a standing buck. (I went to the 30-06 by the time I was 20 because I got tired of jumping white tails who ran off waving the flag at me -and I already knew that the 30-30 wouldn't reach up to the "boiler room" to drop him - but the 30-06, 180 gr. very definitely caught up with him! Fact.

Anyway, I have no desire to fight with anyone (after all, the proof of how good the cartridge was is lying there on the ground -so who am I to argue?)

Half the fun is working up the equipment to go out for the year. I try to use something different every year. In the last few years I've used the following to take deer:

308 Win Savage
.338 Win Mag M70
9,3x62 Mauser
9,3x74R Chapuis
.375 H&H M70
and .470 NE Searcy

The .308 is my beater. The 9,3x74R and the .470 are double rifles.

This year I'll probably use one or more of the following little guns:

6mm Rem Mauser
264 Win Mag Mauser
270 Win Mauser
.338-06 Mauser

When travelling I'll undoubtedly take a 9,3x62 just to be sure I have one I know works all the time. Will also field the rifles going to Africa in May, 2009 which will be the 9,3x74R Chapuis and a .458 AR Mauser.

quote:

Originally posted by gerrys375:
Usually I don't weigh inb on a thread that has so many contributors -but being a cantankerous old man (and also Irish) I love to pick a fight.

My Dad told me awhile back, "The one perk to getting older, and I do mean ONE perk, is that I can pretty much get away with anything, and people just look at me and say, 'Ah, what the hell, he's old'."

I had to vote other (270WSM) but the 308 was a close second.


Tim

Someoldguy:

Read your post about using the 32 Win.Special on deer. I was reminded of a line I read many years ago in Barnes' "Cartridges of the World". He said that the 32 Win. Special was a great cartridge - if you didn't believe that smokeless powder was here to stay! (It had been a black powder cartridge and was converted over to smokeless after the coming in of the 30-30, a smokeless cartridge pioneer) Hope you don't mind a damyankee kidding you - but I always remember that lines of Barnes whenever I read of someone using the 32 Win. Special. (I really have no right to criticize because in my youth there were local people using 38-40 Win, 38-55 Win. and 25-35 Win on deer - and they didn't leave many deer in the woods,either as I remember!)

quote:

Originally posted by gerrys375:
Someoldguy:

Read your post about using the 32 Win.Special on deer. I was reminded of a line I read many years ago in Barnes' "Cartridges of the World". He said that the 32 Win. Special was a great cartridge - if you didn't believe that smokeless powder was here to stay! (It had been a black powder cartridge and was converted over to smokeless after the coming in of the 30-30, a smokeless cartridge pioneer) Hope you don't mind a damyankee kidding you - but I always remember that lines of Barnes whenever I read of someone using the 32 Win. Special. (I really have no right to criticize because in my youth there were local people using 38-40 Win, 38-55 Win. and 25-35 Win on deer - and they didn't leave many deer in the woods,either as I remember!)

When somebody talks about how underpowered a particular cartridge is, I think of my cousin saying,
"I bow hunt, which is the equivalent of hunting deer with pointy-sticks.
Don't tell me how underpowered your rifle is..."