What's your favorite cartridge/caliber for deer hunting?

Well, I like "overwhelming firepower" and the git-r-done kind of weapon. Why? It's just a personal thing. I do not believe that one needs big and heavy kicking magnums for deer hunting. I just like to use them myself. So here's my favorite, the Remington 7mm Ultra Magnum, stoked with 140-160 grain Nosler Accubonds or Partitions. Again, this is not necessary, but only in my mind. In fact, I will probably start my kids out on a 7mm.08. Then, when they, and me, get older, the 7 RUM will probably get carried by the strong teenager and the old man stuck with the 7mm.08. That's the plan anyway...

I couldn't stand it, just had to mention another one that is new to me. And that is the .325 WSM in a Browning. I figure a 200 grain will do the trick. Man, here I go again, way overdoing it!

I'd say my favorite is the Rem 243. Respectful distance and good knock down. Wicked bullet. Internal Combustion! lol Like a ping pong ball inside them. Bounces every where tearing shit up.
Also, i would agree that the 7mm 08 is another great choice.

I also like the 243. I have a New England Firearms 243 cal topped with a Simmons 3x9x40 Scope. Only downside is it is a single shot rifle so make the first shot count.

Wolfscry

Yes. New England Fire Arms makes a decent Gun. I use toi have a .223 by New England FireArms. What I liked about it , it was so short and easy to carry in the woods. Also cam up to your shoulder quick with less movement!. I have a 22 mag in as well. It wil ldrive tacks! Great guns!

Yes DeerStalker you are right about the length, I forgot to mention that. Mine is a Handi Gun, short but makes it nice to carry in brush. And it is very very accurate.

Wolfscry

Yes....Thats what mine is too! The Handi Gun. Yes very Accurate!

what ever happened to people liking the 270 and 30.06? to me a 243 is a small caliber to deer hunt w/. you have to be very acurate w/ that gun! i just don't see how you can go wrong w/ a 270 or 30.06. good range a knock down for any game in any state!

I have killed deer with a 44mag, 308, and a 270. but my all time favorite now is the 300WSM. It is the most accurate gun I have ever had, will shoot excellent groups with anything I have put in it, and would also qualify as "overwhelming firepower".

This is always a great discussion. In a rifle I use a Winchester 7mm Mag.topped with a Nikon 4-12x50 scope. It's never let me down. Last year I bought a T/C Pro Hunter Handgun in a .30 T/C. It's basically a 30.06 but shorter, and with a newly engineered powder that burns faster and hotter. So on paper it's actually faster (3000 fps) and has the same range as the 30.06. Fun to shoot in a handgun. I have stopped carrying a rifle since I bought this thing.

I use a 280 probably 90% of time.

I use a rem 742 in 30-06 with winchester 150 gr powerpoints. I picked up some of that .357 leverevolution by hornady and thought I would try that out of my win 94 this year.

99% of the time I go with my "old faithful" a Model 70 in 7mmRem. Mag.Sometimes I go with my Sako AV in 25-06.

7 mm mag. rem. one of the flatest shooting cal. you can use. sold my 300 win mag. im interested in that 325 though.

I have a 30-06 (Remington 700) that I shoot 2-3 165gr core-lokt cartridges through per year. Once to make sure it's still on, and once or twice at deer. Because this gun has been accurate and faithful, I'll probably never purchase another deer rifle. 30-06 cartridges are relatively inexpensive compared to other cartridges and easily found just about anywhere you hunt. You can also get a variety of loads. So my vote is for the 30-06, for accuracy, price, availability and variety.

i have been deer hunting for 10 years and have always used muzzleloader dont see the need to buy anything else just bought the tc encore thise year with a nikon scope shhots great its all i need