Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting 30-06 too much for deer?

OK, but a 222 in the days when that size bullet was either a varmint or target type doesn't say anything about a 243 loaded with a game bullet today.

I hunt public lands in PA. The deer usually come past running. 270's and 30-06s make a lot of sense given the circumstances.

Projectiles in the order of 80-150 grains will work wonders on most species of deer - what you fire them through is purely up to you.

Like Boxer says " Boolits matter not headstamps" ......absolutely!!


Gus

Yes Moosemike when hunting public land it is nice to have a little extra knockdown. More chance you won't have a far tracking job. I don't know about other places but guys in PA will steal a deer in a heartbeat before you get to it.

You got that right. And if your deer falls over dead in front of them. They won't hesitate to put a "finisher" in it and tag it themselves.

I have had it happen to me. I forget where you are at in PA. I am over in Washington county.

Lebanon county. Amish paradise.

Nice I hear they get a little pushy come deer season.

Does it really matter if a 30/06 is a bit of overkill for deer?

I mean, after all, it's always been intended to be a Big Game cartridge; not the "perfect" deer cartridge,whatever that is.

Yeah, they push off everybody elses properties.

Nope, it doesn't matter one bit. But it's made for a great thread.

Mike it has been.....uuhh.....entertaining.

I suppose it could be argued that anything above a 22 rimfire is "over kill" for deer. Nothing like a double tap to the hat to define "sufficient"...we can start a thread!

You'll have to start that one. I made enough people sore at me for daring to question the almighty '06 in this one. FWIW it was tongue in cheek. I started it mostly to call out the characters on the 'Fire who keep saying the aught six is too much for deer. I gave them a place to make their case but oddly enough they didn't seem to show.

Oh well, I'll keep plugging deer with the .270 and .30-06 I guess until someone "convinces" me I'm wrong.

A 30/06 is never really "wrong".

Sig-worthy. I'll likely never own another though. With today's bullets a 308 doesn't give up much to an 06.

TAK: That is true.

Today's bullets have changed many things from years gone by. But more so is factory ammo being provided with these bullets. Now even the non reloader can get ammo with quality bullets.

Bob, no it does not matter if the 30-06 is 'overkill'.

I have shot 5-6 deer with a 300 WSM and 180 Partitions. Works great, almost as good as 270.....grin

I agree Sam.. Must have shot close 100 deer with various .300's.. Never had them complain about being hit too hard..

To me to much gun is if you are putting up with more recoil than you are comfortable with when it is not needed. You may need a .375 H&H for A big Grizzly so the recoil is necessary. But to put up with that recoil to just kill a deer would be overkill in my book. Now if the recoil really don't bother you then go for it.