smallest caliber to kill deer

[Jäger]

Disagree again. The deadliest on game performance bullet I have witnessed time and time again is a Berger VLD. I despise a bonded billet or partition type billets on whitetail sized game animals. I had to follow to many blood trails.

Never tried the VLDs so I couldn't speak for them. Any factory loads or is it for hand loaders only? Might give them a go this season.

[Starman]

And btw, don't take head shots. It's not a kill-or-miss shot. You can graze the skull, blow the jaw, put out an eye, etc. A double-lung shot will kill 100% dead 100% of the time, and the lungs are a much larger target than the brain...

Now this is where I will disagree with you-to a point.

I shoot all of my "meat" deer in the head because there is obviously less waste.

But, as you implied, less skilled shooters shouldn't try that.

[glen]

I shoot meat deer in the neck with a 22-250 and never had one take a step

[41Chevy]

The longest deer trail that I have ever done was a double lung shot on a doe with a 300 Win May. Though old girl ran 3 - 400 yards through the brush.

[AntlerCollector]

Didn't realize how many outlaws are on here that ain't from East Texas!

I'm wondering, and don't see it asked, why are you looking for the smallest caliber possible?

I would go with a .243.

[TXGolfer]

300 win mag.

I did just pick up a 25-06 in a Ruger #1 which is AWESOME! Think ill give it a whirl this yr.

[Limbwalker]

To answer the initial question, I don't think there is a LEGAL (meaning centerfire) cartridge out there that would not kill a deer every time at 100 yards with a perfect double-lung shot.

That being said, a larger caliber is generally preferable because of a number of potential problems. (bullet hits bone, deer moves, you flinch, farther shot, unseen brush, wind, etc.) The larger caliber won't make up for improper shot placement, but it can be the difference between a lost deer and a found deer.

243 is a good all-around minimum, imo.

And btw, don't take head shots. It's not a kill-or-miss shot. You can graze the skull, blow the jaw, put out an eye, etc. A double-lung shot will kill 100% dead 100% of the time, and the lungs are a much larger target than the brain...

Great post. Yes, a head shot is not the "kill or miss" shot some would like you to believe it is.

[Limbwalker]

Yeah I know! I've been called a weird girl on more than one occasion! Lol!! I love guns and hunting.....but I just can't do normal...it's boring!

Normal is boring as hell.

[BMC]

I dropped a 6 point at 150 yrds with a .223. Right behind the shoulder and he didn't even take a step.

[CRT]

Let me clarify...large caliber handguns and rifles, 60+ lb draws, stout whiskey shots, strong cigars, and serving effectively in the military ain't just for men no more. You hunt like a man, only prettier

Well....I do love large caliber handguns and rifles but I do not have a 60 lb draw (mines only 30), I'll drink whiskey at times, hate cigars, and have never served in the military! Lol!!!

[PDT4]

Gotta love that 22 hornet

[Texasgamehunter]

.243 gets my vote

[jnors06]

I've shot a truck load of deer and axis with my cz 223 and not a single one has ran off. I have also never taken anything other than a high neck shot on any of them. I have a buddy that deer hunts strictly with a 22 hornet and he's killed a few 140+ bucks and countless does and he shoots them all behind the shoulder, while I wouldn't do it it is hard to argue with his results. If I hit the woods for something other than meat hunts I've got my 25-06, I've killed 3 deer and a hog with it and they all hit the dirt. Started with a 30-06 and never lost one, I've only killed one deer with a 270 and she dropped hard. I've shot a handful of deer with my lever 30-30 and they have all ran a little ways, but it was an easy track. There is not one perfect caliber, there are plenty of calibers that work well. What I don't understand is peoples need for some hot rod magnum caliber to shoot deer standing under a feeder at 100yds. I feel a new hunter needs to stay above a 243 as there are plenty of ways to mitigate recoil.

[Davoh]

The only deer I've lost as an adult, was a head shot with a .270. I'd made dozens of head shots over the years, but should not have taken that one. Haven't been familiar enough with a gun since to try another.

My wife has taken over my .30-06, since she killed her first deer with it last year. I'll probably be hunting with my old(1970's) Glenfield .30-30 with open sites this year. Every deer I've shot with it has never run more than 20 yds. Watched my mom drop deer with a .30-30 the whole time growing up.

I'd really like to take a deer with my great grandfathers .30 Carbine M1. I'd be the fourth generation to kill deer with it.

I grew up shooting .243 and .308. My father in law to this day shoots deer with a .243, and always has.

[wtx223]

I just recently have gotten my feet wet with rifles for deer hunting and just out of curiosity without starting a battle,whats the smallest caliber u can effectively kill a deer with and not ear hole them....So a typical set up being 100yrd max.good conditions....etc..thx

17hmr... Mule deer2 of them, my daughter killed,And she was 9-10 on them . And my 18 yo nephew killed a lion with a 17. Search thread, posted here.

22-250 is great.

Just keep shooting.