I’m going with the .25 WSSM. I love the very short actions that the cartridge allows for, and the fact that it handles 115 to 120 grain bullets with complete aplomb. Again I ignore the availability factor here. If it is stipulated that the availability fact is included I’d be much, much more hard pressed to select a cartridge. I suppose that I’d go with the 7mm-08, or the .270 Win in that case.

This a catagory I cant pick just one cartridge. I love the little 25WSSM for mid range work (although I dont use it nearly enough). For short range thick cover its going to be a lever action 356 Winchester or 444 Marlin. For longer ranges its going to be the 300 Ultra Mag.

Even trying to narrow it down to only 4 was tough!

Hey! No problem! I’m really just creating these threads so folks can ‘just talk hunting rifles, ’ and have fun doing so.

I like the short actions here.
.308 for availability!

Short action plus availability being your two major criteria, the .308 is most difficult to argue with. Any thoughts on the 7mm-08?

308ME

I should be welcoming you lol. I have owned the 7-08 and taken deer with it. It performed great, very comparable to its big brother. I can't see any benefit of the 7-08 that outways the availability, choices(heavier loads), and cost of the .308 unless you were already set-up to load 7mm.

I am a fan of the 243 Win & 7mm-08 over a 308, then again with the 338 Federal or 358 Win for the BIG Boys.

6.5x55, 7mm-08 Rem., .308 Win. 7.62x54r (hand loaded out of my M39 Finn, love that rifle) 30-06 Springfield (of course) and 8x57mm JS Mauser (got a stock 24/47 Yugo and k98 that shoot WAAY better than they should).

When it comes to cartridges based on the same case the advantage with the small bore is that when lighter weight bullets are used they have better BCs, and SDs than their bigger bore kin. For deer sized game I pretty partial to 120 to 140 grain bullets. Heavier bullets are in no way necessary, therefore I prefer to go with the smaller bore diameter.

Remember, this thread is about Whitetail Deer only, so heavier bullets than 140 grain really don’t provide any gain in terminal ballistics, and the exterior ballistics of the 7mm 140 grain bullets can offer significant performance gain in terms of BC, and SD.

25-06 or 257wby

for all around deer hunting, I would stick with my .270 win.


for hunting south texas and mexico......a .257 wby

I've mainly used a .243 or a .410 gauge but from the results I've seen .270 performs well

To be honest any .25 through .30 caliber cartridge with case capacities equal to the .308 through the .30-06 make fine whitetail cartridges. Personally, the .257 Roberts might be the optimum cartridge for whitetail. Good ballistic performance with bullets between 115, and 120 grains which give solid terminal performance at minimal mass, and thus minimal recoil. Though, the .308 based 6.5mm, and the 6.5x55 would do very well with 120 grain bullets as well.

I will go with the Texas 3-Step that covers every thing from east texas pines to south texas senderos

1. 30-30
2. .270win
3. 300wby

Every High Priest of North American hunting who wants one gun and to spend his money on other things knows the 30.06 was, is, and always will be the king.

I bet you guys don't know who goes last if everyone arrives at a 4-way stop at the same time either.

.270 Winchester.....or 7/08......or .260........or 25/06.......or 308.......... or ......wait I'm cheating aren't I?

I will say that a 7mm-08 is a deer killing machine but you can always pick an appropriate load with the 30.06

.308 Winchester

.308 is what I'll be using this year. I seem to have a different rifle every year

My favorites are:

.30-06 w/ 165 gr. Barnes TSX

7mm-08 w/ 140 gr. Barnes TSX or 140 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip

12 GA. 3" Winchester XP3 sabot slug

22 hornet

260 Remington

There is not a more PERFECT whitetail cartridge on earth than the .264 Winchester!!

Wish I owned one.....I need to do something about that!!

25 pronghorn if you like to reload and want something different.