Poll: Best caliber for blacktails

[Backcountry]

7mm-08

[hntnnut]

I hunt with a .270 but its a shame that .257 Roberts is so ignored, its a really fine caliber. And in my opinion about perfect for Blacktails.


Richard

[Troutman_209]

My Remington 6mm (.244) does a great job on these little lowland CA mule deer/subspecies/hybrids as well as pronghorn with a 100 gr. hornaday ammo. HOWEVER, if you hunt up high where you might run into one of those larger CA muleys or Rocky Mtn. Muleys, don't use a 6mm or smaller. I watched my borther put 3 rounds of 6mm into a big 3 x 3 under 100 yards away, and it just slapped the deer around. I had to anchor him with my Ruger MK II .30-06 to keep him from bailing over a 11,000+ ft. pass. Thos ebackcountry deer are really tough and you need to stop them fast.

I always carry my .30-06 when I hunt high in CA. I use a 165 grain bullet (sometimes 180). The 165 flipped a huge 4 x 4 Rocky Mtn. Mule Deer I killed in X-12 in the Sweetwaters along the NV border in 2001 and killed him dead on the spot at 250 yards. It was like swatting a fly. My brother takes his .06 with him now wehn we hunt in the backcountry (we leave the 6mm at home). Our .308 is real nice road hunting rifle, but way too heavy for hiking/backcountry use (It has the heavy barrel and wood stock).

Both my 6mm and .30-06 rifles are stainless steel/synthetic, very light, and are awesome pack rifles. Its the only way to go.

[jls456]

270 WSM 130GR copper...............thru the shoulders ..so you dont lose him..............

[.243]

.243 Barnes boolits............thru the shoulder............. who cares about blood trail!

Laffin!

[Beastie]

30-30 open sights

[gearhead53]

270 WSM. It does the job and then some.

[Ridge Runner]

257 ROY puts em down like being hit by a lightning bolt. Works for me.

[cheta]

270- is a nice all around caliber- if you pair any caliber with the right ammunition and great shot placement you can get the job done-
Blacktails only? 25-06 - 270

[sss5358]

When I hunt modern I normally use a .243, but I live in Washington State and if I hunt the west side which is dense forest I use a 35 Remington carbine. Breaks branches better.

[chavarriamj]

I have a Winchester 257 Roberts made in 1970 my grandfather gave me and I have killed more Blacktail with one shot at 150 to 300 yards than any other of my rifles. If I need something bigger when I go out of state or hunt Muley's I use my 7mm Mag Weatherby or my 300 Mag Weatherby. Like hntnnut said the 257 Roberts is underated or ignored and that's ashame. Hey but everyone has there favorite ! :)

[Lives2Hunt]

Agree with no right answer and also about what ever you shoot best. Speciafically to answer your question regard blacktails, any of the bottom 4 or 5 calibers lister would be very reasonable (get the job done with confidence in a 1 shot kill, IMO). The others (larger calibers) seem to be a little over kill and generally speaking, blacktails are smaller bodied deer than their mule deer relatives. Now maybe in hybrid blacktail deer are more stought and muscular but generally speaking no. This is whay I am going to puchase a rifle in 25-06 or 257 roberts. On paper the balisitcs out to 200yds are great. From what I gather, the 25-06 has "adequate engergy" and speed to kill an elk at 200yds. I read in an article from Boddington that 1500lbs of enegry is the "minimum projectile/caliber usage" one should use for elk. The 25 calibers have somewhat over 1500lbs of energy at 200 yrds, making me conclude it is enough for a black tail out to 300 yds or so. So then its all about the shooters abilty and shot placement. I will use my 25 caliber for all my CA deer hunting, because it would then also have enough "umph" to kill a black bear I might run into in the Sierras.

I said that to say this, I really wasnt going to give my 2 cents, because their is not right or wrong answer just peoples opinions, but I did so I could get that much closer to my 100th post...ITS EXCITING, HAHA.

[Kep4]

I've taken seven blacktail bucks with my Remington 788 in .243. The unleaded restriction in A-Zone made me switch to 85 grain Barnes TSX bullets and they have performed flawlessly.

I think using the proper bullet and proper shot placement are most critical when hunting. Practice shooting from the sitting and 'knee down' positions, get to know your rifle so you can shoot it well. Put an expanding bullet through the vitals and the buck will drop quickly and stay anchored. I believe waiting for the best shot angle is important as I don't want to blast a bullet through the shoulder(s) and destroy the meat. Venison is too good to waste!

I would not use anything smaller than a .243 for blacktail but, and I am biased, it's an excellent cartridge for southern A-Zone blacktail.

[ETC2NA]

Of the ones listed, I'd say .30-06, but I use a 7mm Rem Mag when Uncle Sam gives me time off to hunt. I'm 3 for 4, one shot kills with it. The 4th was a 1/2 mile or more away, up hill and I missed, but I did shoot at it.

[Common Sense]

The best caliber for blackstails is the one you got! Anything that is legal will do the job.

[.300Savage]

.300 savage. deffinately not the lighest gun ever but she does the job. I havn't taken many yet (late start) but I havn't lost any yet.

[alecvg]

Personally I use a .30/06, but I think .270 is the best deer round overall, but all of the rounds in the poll are great for deer. imo

[hatchet1]

257wby mag. preferably out of the {do do bird] zone so i can put the 120gr.np smack down on them... if im south im shooting the 270 with 130gr barney bullets
and blasting them in the neck or thru the shoulders so i dont track them for 500yds.

[tbrincefield]

I know the majority will say .270, but I just love my .30-06 too much to say bad things about it.

[oregonoutdoordude]

I picked 30-06 simply because thats what I use and have killed everything I've rifle hunted with (except small game) the only reason I reccomend it, is because its a caliber you'll use for everything, and the only rifle you'll need
People worry to much about calibers though, simply place it in the heart, lungs, or behind the head and with a lead or ballistic tip bullets and a 22 mag or .223 is fine... Personally .223 is the smallest I would go though.

[scr83jp]

Anything from 22 up to you name it! A friend hunted them with a 300 weatherby mag,another in our group used a 30-06 ackley improved, TC contenders in various calibers.

[dlovato]

One other thing to take into consideration - if you have a bear tag while deer hunting, (like I do) - .308 is good medicine for anything you will encounter.

- Darryl

[aerospace90248]

I have to go with my .30-06 using Barnes TSX rounds. Drops em in the their tracks every time. What about a 6.8SPC? Does it have enough take-down for bucks?

Trinidad

[gundogs]

My choice for a factory available load would be the 30-06 , my personal favorite would be the 30-338 which does double duty on mule deer.

Bryce

[Hunter0331]

Let's not forget them wildcats
6mm-284.

[cascade]

IMHP all the calibers mentioned as well as many others would be great choices for deer.

I don't personally think any cal. under a 24 cal. is practical for deer, Al tho many have been taken with 23 and 22 caliber center fire rifles, and many have been wounded to die never being harvested.

I only hunt with traditional muzzleloaders now, and never take shots over 100 yds. My rifles are capable of longer shots, but my eyes are not.:)

[bigmike]

I use the .338 mag. I don't like to track! I like to tenderize!

[BIG BEAR]

308 is my top choice . great long range and short range. and if a big bear comes under the tree stand you can handel it just fine with the 308 .


THANKS KEN

[dunderee]

Originally Posted by suavegato

based just on caliber, NOT weapon, I'd have to say the .243. Fast, flat, accurate and does a fine job putting them down. That being said, I use a .25-06 myself.

I use a 25'06 as well, how can u put .243 as fast, accurate, its slow weak and a varmit gun, good for coyote, challenge me I reload and understand ballistics. .243 hunters are silly and need to leave the gun at home when it comes cali deer hunting. I can't stand the .243 even being considerd for a deer caliber, read the hunting books, the real ones none of them will recomend the .243. None of them.!!!!!!!!!!

[dunderee]

Originally Posted by Common Sense

The best caliber for blackstails is the one you got! Anything that is legal will do the job.

with a name like common sense you sure don't use it!