While there are thousands of different cartridges available today, from wildcats to commercially produced, there’s a champion’s stable of proven winners that we’ve all come to love and depend on when the early days of fall roll around. These are the 10 greatest deer cartridges ever made.
Adopted in 1906 for the Model 1903 Springfield military service rifle, the .30-06 is still to this day one of the most useful all-around big-game cartridges ever made. It is adequate for all North American big-game species and has seen its fair share of use over the years in the deer woods. The ol’ ought-six will send a 165-grain bullet at roughly 2,800 fps with the same ft.-lbs. of energy, and it performs well with bullets generally up to 220 grains and down to 110 grains. Often considered the steadiest load, the 180-grain bullet, which produces 3,000 ft.-lbs. of energy and retains a velocity of 2,750 fps, is more than enough for deer- and elk-sized game. Ammunition is widely available in all stripes and flavors, at inexpensive prices.
Introduced in 1955 for the Model 70 bolt-action and Model 88 lever-action rifles, the .243 (6mm) features a .308 case that has been necked down and has become one of the most-chambered calibers of any rifle. Producing outstanding velocities — a 95-grain bullet travels at roughly 3,000 fps — with minimal recoil and exceptional accuracy, the .243 is an ideal deer rifle and doubles for a long-range coyote and predator gun. I’ve known Western hunters who have successfully taken elk with the cartridge, which means it’s more than capable of taking even large-bodied deer. I also appreciate the cartridge because of its minimal recoil, making it a great option for new shooters, youth, and women.
Introduced in 1980, the 7mm-08 is a .308 case necked down for a 7mm bullet, originally loaded with a 140-grain bullet traveling close to 2,800 fps. With slightly better downrange ballistics than the .308, the 7mm-08 is a well-recognized deer cartridge with plenty of horsepowers to get the job done. Handloaders can turn it into a viable elk cartridge, though factory loads are less versatile. A 130-grain bullet will reach velocities around 3,000 fps with 2,600 ft.-lbs. of energy, more than enough for a deer-sized game. The 7mm-08 is less popular than some of the other cartridges on this list, yet no less useful for deer.
I’m not the biggest fan of the .300 Win. Mag., mainly because it’s a lot of unnecessary recoils, in my opinion, where other calibers would suffice (.308, .30-06, .280, etc.). That said, it’s beyond a doubt one of the most versatile hunting cartridges on the planet, with long-distance prowess and enough pop to level deer, moose, and brown bear. Introduced commercially in 1963, the .300 Win. Mag. has no doubt been used to take untold numbers of deer. I’ve known hunters and guides alike who swear by it for deer, and I’ve seen it take plenty of large-bodied elk. For deer, the 150-grain projectile screams at 3,300 fps with up to 3,600 ft.-lbs. of energy, while 180-grain loads still reach 3,000 fps. Widely available ammunition, plenty of rifle chamberings, and a pedigree among the best in a class all make the .300 tough to beat when it comes to raw power and long-range accuracy.
Launched in 1962, the 7mm Rem. Mag. is an excellent long-range, big-game cartridge. In the right rifle, the 7 Mag. is fully capable of handling the 1,000-yard shot and is of course more than enough to take a deer-sized game. A 120-grain bullet will scream at 3,350 fps, and recoil is less (in the right setup) than the larger .30-caliber chamberings. Widely available in a large variety of moderately priced rifles, the 7mm Mag. has proven itself as a reliable, highly-accurate deer rifle across the North American continent. It generally performs best in barrels 24 inches or longer and can be hard on barrel life. The 7mm Mag. is among the best big-game cartridges ever made, let alone deer rifles.