Caliber without much kick for deer?

[brushtrooper]

My shoulders cant take the 300 WM, 30-06 or 7MM anymore. I cant hold it on target and pull the trigger like I need. I think a 223 is to small for deer, Ive not had good experience with it, so thats out. I have some Win 30-30, just not ready to tap them for scopes. On the smaller side Ive used 30-30 and 250-3000 and Ive got a Tikka 3 6.5CM built for long range, not really practical for hunting. How does the 6.5 compare for deer to the 250-3000? Ive always heard the 243 and 7mm-08 spoken highly of. If a 6.5 CM would do the job, I'd buy a bolt gun and scope for hunting and no need for different Ammo. Really open to opinions/advice

[Colton]

6.5 Creedmoor is pretty similar to the 260, it’s a good choice for a low recoil whitetail cartridge

[BLee15]

6.5cm suppressed is the way to go for a low recoil gun

[32drawlength]

Yea correct the .243 is a fairly low recoil caliber with plenty of punch for deer. Ammo is plentiful these days
Im sure you’ll get some other good suggestions

[Drycreek3189]

Knowing what I know, if I had no rifles and I just wanted to hunt deer, a 7-08 is what I would buy. I used one for several years until I had my APR .280 Remington built.

[PondPopper]

7mm08
Thank me later.

[Walker]

Grendel, grendel, grendel.

[ladybluearm]

My shoulders cant take the 300 WM, 30-06 or 7MM anymore. I cant hold it on target and pull the trigger like I need. I think a 223 is to small for deer, Ive not had good experience with it, so thats out. I have some Win 30-30, just not ready to tap them for scopes. On the smaller side Ive used 30-30 and 250-3000 and Ive got a Tikka 3 6.5CM built for long range, not really practical for hunting. How does the 6.5 compare for deer to the 250-3000? Ive always heard the 243 and 7mm-08 spoken highly of. If a 6.5 CM would do the job, I'd buy a bolt gun and scope for hunting and no need for different Ammo. Really open to opinions/advice

I would have to disagree with you on saying a 223 is too small for deer. I started shooting a 223 5 years ago and neck shoot them, puts em down quick. I heart shot a buck Friday morning, he went maybe 25 yards. Just my opinion sir.

[DaveC]

7mm-08 is a great round.
6.5 CM is more readily Available at most retail outlets if you plan on shooting factory loads.

I own both- 1 of one and 3 of the other.
You can’t go wrong either way.

[RMW]

Suppressed .308

[AntlerCollector]

My kids and grandkids shoot a 7mm-08 with low recoil ammo.

killed big whitetails and Axis bulls with it.

[ny bowhunter]

Count me in the .243 camp. Bought my son a 243 a few years ago. A Savage. Great gun. Deer killer.

[Javelin]

308 is all you need

[Gumbo Man]

I’ll throw my .02 cents in. I’ve killed Texas deer grave yard dead with 22-250, .222, and .223. But I was younger with better eyes and only shot for the neck. I’ve also killed Texas deer with .338, .300 mag, 7mm- mag, 30-06, 270, .243 and .35 Remington and .32 Winchester Special. My 6.5 Creedmoor with Hornady 143 grain ELD-X has killed everything ( hogs and deer) in its tracks with very little recoil unsurpressed. Shoots like a 22-250. Good luck in your search sir.

[TX03RUBI]

6 Creedmoor is my go to. Extremely soft shooting even compared to the 6.5, and more than adequate for deer and hogs. I’ve killed deer with it to 599 that didn’t take a single step, and have yet to have one take more than 5 steps. Created a few dozen piles of hogs with it too.