smallest caliber to kill deer

[biglew]

B.S. Level 10!!!

I'm happy to see the BS meter in use

[JMalin]

Killed 8-10 with a single shot .223 as a kid. Never had one run more than 20 yards, and that was primarily taking neck shots with a couple behind the shoulders in the mix.

For Texas sized deer, a .243 is really all you need. No deer in the state is going to be standing after a properly executed high shoulder shot. Big target area and drops them in their tracks.

[kumathebear]

This

I have seen a .204 drop several muley does with a chest shot and a v-max at 125ish yards.

Smallest I would use....hot round with LOT of energy at impact.

[Bminchew]

Men killed elk and bears for years with .32 caliber black powder rifles. They then upgraded to to 25-20's and 32-20's. Then the 44 and 45 black powder lever guns turned into 30-30's. These calibers were eventually upgraded to the modern calibers we have today. My point is some guys are happy with a small fast bullet, and others think you need a bowling ball at 2000fps to kill something. Shoot what you are confident in.

[huntinfool]

I've killed bucks and does up to 200 yards with a .223.

All shot behind the shoulder.

I've got a .17 center fire that I know would do the job.

[Mertzon Man]

Both my boys started with a 22 Hornet, then went to a 22-250. 22-250 would be my choice.

[Red Wing R/C]

Don`t understand why you want to push the envelope. Sure you can kill deer with small cal rounds but what`s the point?

A clean, humane kill is the responsibility of the hunter.

[Blood Trail]

I believe its the bullet type that's more important than caliber (to a certain extent). That's why I'm not a fan of ballistic tips for deer sized game. Some people love them, some hate them. Shot and lost the biggest deer of my life 3 times with one. Never found a drop of blood or the deer. Same hunt, shot an 80lb spike from 150 yards away with a 150gr Winchester Supreme 30.06. Right behind the shoulder. Almost lost that deer. Ran 50 yards, no blood, no exit. That deer's chest cavity was no bigger than 8-10 inches.

[Palmetto]

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

My preference for the smallest would be my trusty .220 Swift. I shoot a .55 gr hornady VMAX. The VMAX doesnt pass thru, but the chest cavity is like jello. I dont deer hunt with it, but I do let the kids use it to shoot does. I do however shoot allot of pigs with it, and they dont like it.

If I were you, I would look into the 7mm-08. Not the smallest, but like was said above, why push it?

[jkw08]

Very good choice.
For me its a 6mm.

I inherited a 6mm from my dad when I was very young, and have killed a number of deer and hogs with it, I love that thing, not to mention its almost twice as old as I am.

[UncleBubba]

.17 Remington

[Fig]

I've killed (culled) does inside 50 yards, in good conditions, with a .22mag under the ear. It's a tough shot, but if you miss, you usually miss clean.

That said, .22-250 or a .223 would be the smallest caliber I'd recommend.

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.

If this was in Texas, you two geniuses need to be kicked in the taint along with a visit from the GW.

[Seacoal]

My preference for the smallest would be my trusty .220 Swift. I shoot a .55 gr hornady VMAX. The VMAX doesnt pass thru, but the chest cavity is like jello. I dont deer hunt with it, but I do let the kids use it to shoot does. I do however shoot allot of pigs with it, and they dont like it.

If I were you, I would look into the 7mm-08. Not the smallest, but like was said above, why push it?

That's a varmint bullet!!! You must be hittin in the right spot every time

[Kdub]

I have a 22 hornet that will kill them out to 100 yards without fail, but shot placement is critical.
That being said, I have tracking dogs, and I've tracked more deer shot with a .243 than any other caliber.

[catslayer]

there have been many deer killed with a .22 and .22 mag and even a .17... but it is VERY ILLEGEAL. .20 caliber CENTER FIRE CARTRIDGE.

.223 kills them just as dead as .300 win mag. i'm a neck shooter so that just needs a good bullet.

standard green screen suggestion is 7mm-08, lots of load options lots of energy.