Eps 381: America’s Favorite Deer Cartridges + Combination Guns!

[@roblindberg9339]

I still think yhe 7-08 and 25-06 need more attention. I love all the traditional cartridges, but those two work are definitely siuted for Midwest hunting. Love these cartridge talks

[@Clearanceman2]

I hear you but the 6.5 creedmoor is better than the 25-06. I have both.

[@tundranomad]

I sure wish factory loadings for 7mm-08 were more more plentiful!

[@nordicgods6183]

Nobody was talking about your 6.5. 7mm08 owns the creedmore and the 25o6 is plenty fine on its own.

[@poisonPpaully]

@@nordicgods61837-08 is a fine found but don’t get it twisted 6.5creed beats it at everything

[@seanwiechman3761]

​@tundranomad I agree with you there. Decent options, like some Barnes and federals at your cheaper price points. Accubonds and stuff at your higher prices. I'd like to see some of the newer bullets. Fusion tipped, core lokt tip, and terminal ascent.

[@blackie1of4]

When I started hunting in 82.. most hunters here in Pennsylvania used.. The 30-06.. the 308.. the 270.. the 30-30.. the 35 Remington.. and the 303 British And still do 😊

[@Plumcraziness]

Are there still people using .303 British down your way? Kind of surprising people in PA used/use it. Here in Canada, as many people know, at one time .303 in Canada was basically the equivalent of .30-06 in the U.S. as far as popularity. Sadly, .303 Brit isn't quite as popular here in Canada as it once was. Mostly due to much fewer ammo manufacturers making it, as well as the fact that many of those old Lee Enfield rifles have shot out barrels, iron sights, etc. Not to mention more modern cartridges that have slowly replaced it over time with longer range and flatter trajectories. There's still a solid following for it, but not like it was back in the day. Regardless, .303 British is still one hell of a cartridge. It's taken everything up here from deer to black and brown bears, caribou, elk and even musk ox and polar bears in the Arctic. It's basically a ballistic twin to the .30-40 Krag. It's not a long range champ, but it is as deadly as anything else out to 300+ yds. IMO. Anyway, I'm ramblin' on. lol Cheers from Canada. 🇨🇦

[@blackie1of4]

@@Plumcraziness it's not as popular as it once was.. but still viable! My brothers and I.. all got our first deer with a 303 British! My late fathers was the Jungle Carbine and my oldest brother has a sporterized Enfield! His has a scope on it! Thanks for sharing your experience with me.. much appreciated brother 🙏

[@robertkeller9828]

30-06, 30-06, 30-06, 30-06, AND, 30-06! Honorable mentions...Anything else 30-cal. Everything else is for those who have the uncontrollable impulse to have the latest fad they "read about on paper"

[@blackie1of4]

@@robertkeller9828 my father only ever carried one rifle.. his Winchester model 70 chambered in 30-06 Springfield! He always said.. if you can't kill it with an aught six.. you shouldn't be hunting it!

[@Plumcraziness]

@@blackie1of4 Very cool. Thanks for sharing that. I've never owned a Lee Enfield, but talk to any older hunter up here and they'll tell you about how good they are and how capable .303 British is. There's still a fair number of hunters today who hunt with it every season who mirror the same positive sentiments about its capabilities. I miss the old days of seeing barrels or entire walls of Lee Enfields in army surplus stores. They used to be cheap as peanuts, but now prices for them are getting ridiculous. Especially for never-fired examples. I've toyed with the idea of getting one, though. I'd probably just get a really cool looking one with great patina and a shot-out barrel, and get a new Criterion barrel for it. It sure would be cool to have a sub-MOA Lee Enfield! In regards to Ron's video, it's been said that .303 British is one of the best whitetail cartridges there is. Especially as a close to moderate range woods gun. I always hear hunters experienced with .303 Brit say it just kills different, which is why they stick with it. Anyway, I'm ramblin' again, but there's no doubt that .303 British is one of the great cartridges. It's six years older than .30-30 and has literally taken everything from little critters to elephants. It'd be a shame if it ever disappeared.

[@r1299]

My uncle Bill only hunted whitetails with his 300 Weatherby! We couldn't talk him out of it. To make things worse, his favorite handload was a Hornady 150 grain SST @3300+fps. It made a mess. He never did have one run. Ever.

[@Benroe-yz1nz]

😂😂😂

[@brandoncarey2329]

I have had 2. 150gr hornadys , and 150gr weatherby. Both back in the day said 3550 fps. Neither make the same rounds and i never chroned the but deer did run much energy punched through and didnt stop in deer. My guy hadloaded 150 gr ballistic tips. Big mistake. What a mess. I didnt want ballistic tips but he worked me up some hot 125gr btips. Just as messy. Fun story but its true. But i do feel 300Wby is to fast for most normal whitetail shots. I like the bullet to leave most of its energy in the deer not on the trees 20 yards behind it. They tend to fall faster.

[@Bmuenks31]

@@brandoncarey2329if you use heavier bullets you shouldn’t have a problem of a mess, my .300 Win Mag did the same thing with the 150’s. It made one hell of a mess, but the 180’s and 190’s do much better in terms of killing

[@philipgabriel2450]

​@Bmuenks31 problem is those lighter bullets at that velocity won't hold up, they're moving 200-300 fps faster than what they were designed for.

[@Zer0Edits00]

You’re living the life Ron.. You love what you do, you get to spread it to others who want to learn more every day, and you have an awesome woman by your side to share it with you. Good hunting sir.

[@joshh5853]

I’m surprised at the lack of love for the quarter bores - 257 Roberts, 25-06 and 257 Wby are all accomplished deer cartridges

[@jfess1911]

.25's were very popular in the US until the introduction of the .243 Winchester in 1955. The 243 was seen as being faster and flatter with deer hunting bullets (100gr) than the 250 Savage and .257 Roberts, at least with with factory ammo. The 257 Roberts was hampered at the time by its SAAMI specs: the need for relatively stubby, low-BC bullets and lower chamber pressure (54,000psi for the old surplus m1893 Mausers it was often chambered in). At some point, it got 4,000 psi more with a +P loading, but that did not rejuvenate the cartridge. The 257 Roberts benefits greatly by hand loading to higher pressures and with sleeker bullets, loaded longer than its 2.78" SAAMI COAL. The 25-06 only got factory ammo after its SAAMI approval in 1969, although it had been a wildcat cartridge for decades. It is a great medium game cartridge that just didn't take off and thus there was not as great a bullet/load selection compared to the 243. The 257 Weatherby was considered exotic, requiring expensive ammo and expensive rifles, so it never got really popular. It does work well, though.

[@jjgriffin3275]

My Guess 1 - 3030 2 - 270/3006 3 - 308 4 - 243 MY FAVS 270, 44mag, 4570

[@mikepetrilli4686]

I live in the north east of Canada. I can tell you that 3006, 308 and 270 are the deer kings here. Nice thing about all 3 of those cartridges is that they can work great on moose and black bear as well. During shotgun season slugs in 12 guage are the go to ..although 20 guage sabot slugs are also becoming very popular.

[@NismoXero]

We use 243, 270, 308, 300 and occasionally a 762x39 in short range brush. They all get the job done.

[@64samsky]

I love the 7mmO8!

[@davidcheek2083]

For me the 257wby mag is the craps and giggles. Overpriced but is a Lazer for whitetailed deer. Love this cartridge. Wear your ear pro

[@tarmaque]

Historically here in the Pacific Northwet where we mostly hunt Blacktail or Mule Deer, the 30.06 reigns supreme. The 30-30 is also popular, as is the .243 Winchester. That's 3. The .270 Winchester is also a perennial favorite. After that I would have to choose between the 7-08 Remington or 7mm Remington Magnum for number five, depending on what kind of hunting I was doing. West side clear cuts 7-08: East side 7mm Remington Mag. All that said, I've spent most of my hunting days (long gone) carrying am 8mm Mauser. A sporterized WWII bringback with a Redfield aperture sight on it.

[@Joshua-tk9hl]

I have an original near mint Mauser M48 Yugo 8mm. Matching serial numbers milled not stamped parts. I would love to take a deer with it, but those open sights are hard to find my mark. I have bad eyes! Lol. Any suggestions? Oh and that metal butt plate is a bruiser.

[@chrisdaniel1339]

That is a solid list, I like the smaller calibers in 6.5mm and 7mm's that are long for caliber, efficient in flight, and have high BC and SD, drift less in the wind, and with the proper projectiles penetrate deeeep.

[@WayneGent-t2l]

I have old 8mm mouser. Was thinking about doing same thing was It very expensive?

[@tarmaque]

@@WayneGent-t2l Beats me. My Grandfather had it done in the 1950's. It's taken a lot of deer and elk over the years. That said, its barrel is pretty shot out and needs replacing. I'm still waffling about which caliber to go with. To be honest it's still more than capable of poking a deer or elk in the vulnerables at PNW ranges. Last time I grouped it it was about 4-5 MOA, which let's be honest is about what the Germans expected of it in 1916 when it was manufactured. But I look at it like this: I have three other rifles in the gun cabinet that do more or less the same thing and are more accurate anyway. Might as well put a different barrel on it for a different purpose like 7x57 or 6mm Remington, and build a more accurate rifle for smaller game.

[@tarmaque]

@@chrisdaniel1339 I have a friend who's whole family shot nothing but 6mm and 7mm since the early 70's, in spite of the other people they hunted with laughing at them. My friend took many a deer with a .243, and many more with a 7-08. He turned the argument around on me and said "Why are you shooting that shoulder breaker 8mm?" He was right of course, but it was all I had. Currently I shoot a Contender Carbine in 7-30 Waters, but only on paper. Although we've been discussing a trip for Pronghorn someday. It never happens.

[@Plumcraziness]

Around these parts (Ontario, Canada) for deer hunting, roughly in order: .308, .30-06, .270, 6.5 Creedmoor, .243, .30-30, .303 British. You could arguably flip a couple of cartridges in their respective orders, and there are certainly lots of other cartridges used here as well, but I'd say that is pretty representative of what is typically used here for deer from season to season.

[@archer7141]

The rifles on the gun rack of the old school PA deer camp I used to frequent consisted of the 30-06, 308, 270, 7mm mag, and 44 mag.

[@brettsmith3703]

I’d say what I see the most of here in my area is 6.5 creedmoor. Most people I know have one. Not necessarily their only deer rifle but still at least have it in their safe.

[@CARLPHILLY]

My choices are 270 Winchester, 308 Winchester, 7 mm Remington magnum, 444 Marlin, 3006 Springfield.

[@fousea12]

Hi from Montana. Here are my favorite deer antelope rounds. I’ve taken game with all of them. 250 Sav AI, 2506, 7x57, 7mm08(what I use the most, then 2506), 257 Weatherby, 280 Rem. On our farms in Indiana 35 Rem, 4570, 12ga. But, I’ve taken a lot of deer with 7MMRUM, 358 Win, and 35 Whelan when I might bump into an elk as well.

[@michaelwilson9986]

ON The 7x57 Ideals..Agree with Ya on your ideals..Only ideal throat n or leade.. would have it set up for the combo of bullets was gonna use in it . Some factory are set up for the long 175s n dont always give best accuracy with lighter weights. Would suggest getting with barrel marker n or smith to figure that out.

[@jfess1911]

Good advice. I mentioned something similar in another post. A more modern freebore/throat design generally works better with modern bullets. The traditional 7x57 chamber has a long throat designed for the heavy 173 grain round-nosed bullet designed in the 1890's. Modern, higher BC bullets need to be loaded long to get their shanks anywhere near the rifling and lighter ones are simply too short to get there.

[@texczechbohunk2143]

My top 5 in SC TX… I inadvertently got one in a F150 Ford Truck, a 1978 Ford Bronco, a 1984 Jeep, a 1975 Camaro… but I recommend using a 308. It’s a lot cheaper…

[@Clearanceman2]

I have everything from 5.56 to 30-06 and I'm still surprised at how good the .243 is.

[@Plumcraziness]

.243/6mm cal. is no joke. It's making me reconsider the need for anything bigger.

[@patrickrodriguez320]

Plus you can buy a bunch of factory ammo anywhere for cheap

[@Alfs_Armory]

Hey Ron. About to go on my first deer hunt at the age of 49. I got drawn for a special Veteran’s Hunt in Northern Missouri. From the info I have received, it is not wide open terrain where I would need the long legs of a 308, so I am thinking about leaving my 14 lb AR-10 long range rifle behind. If all the pieces get here in time, I am building an AR15 in 450 Bushmaster and will likely take it as my primary with a 350 Legend (also AR) for a backup (two is one, one is none). I do have a couple other options, but not sure they would be as effective. Could go with 6.5 Grendel (AR) or 45 Colt (lever gun). Only bolt gun I have is an M44 Mosin and all the ammo I have for it is FMJ, so that’s out. Since I don’t foresee a shot over 200 yards, I think the 450 and 350 should have it covered. Thoughts? Wish me luck on my first hunt. Have to take 2 antlerless before I am allowed to harvest a buck, hoping to get all 3.

[@Bmuenks31]

You’ve got some good choices, but I don’t really think it matters what you take, as long as the spot you’re sitting isn’t too open 👍

[@Alfs_Armory]

@ took one with the 350.

[@j.dalemorgan2975]

Hi Ron, Love your podcast. Have read your work for a very long time. Made this next same comment to JVB on his Backcountry Hunting program, so I should share the “love” & say the same to you. Very much appreciate your expertise and media, especially you & JVB working together as a duo. Great team! I should also say that it’s great to hear more of Betsy’s voice and input keeping you & your show’s flow on track AND with the added insightful comment for listeners. She’s a “GUN!” Pun intended.😁 Spot on with you and many of your listeners agreeing in comment. The 7mm-08 Rem is the biggest and best “sleeper” cartridge for deer. Whether you are tree/box stand hunting in the flats to rolling hills anywhere east of the Big Muddy or hiking the steeper canyon/mountain range of “insert your favorite elevation destination here,” the majority of 7mm-08 platforms available will have broad reach across the Venn diagram of cartridges for deer. It’s super strengths are efficient case design, short action length, generally low rifle weights with excellent handleability (stand hunting to high exertion ground work), low recoil to caliber, small stature friendly, comes in affordable lightweight platforms from youth/ladies to tricked out “mountain” offerings to heavy barreled bench rest setups, fantastic PBR trajectory from 120-150gr bullets for deer, easily stretched for more authoritative performance on black bear, elk, & moose and competition use in the 160-175gr loads, factory ammo is widely available in a plethora of outstanding bullet choices, super friendly to reloading efforts, all making it a cost effective value & tool to fill the freezer with venison each year!!! It’s biggest fan is my son who’s been shooting a Vanguard Compact since he was 8, took his first deer at 10, has extended the LOP with factory spacers as he’s grown, and now at 6’4’, 220lb & 20 years old, continues to be his 1st choice pick from the safe every time it’s steep terrain or the tight quarters of a stand/blind in the hunt. Every time someone comes to me as a new hunter/shooter or talks about getting another new shooter involved, I always steer them to .22LR and then .223 as intro cartridges to learn to shoot. But the 7mm-08 Rem is what I point them to next for a deer cartridge that will serve them best over an entire lifetime of hunting. JD

[@chiefg9282]

Enjoyed you both on the podcast , 30.06, 6.5cm, .243, 350 Legend, .308

[@jacobhanks6605]

👌🏻

[@JohnHavern-xx2jm]

3 favorites. 30.06 , 7m.08, and 30.30 for smaller or suburb wood lots

[@dustinweaver3032]

I like the older calibers for deer. I live in Florida and we don't get alot of shots over 100 yards. Some places up to 300 yards. 90 percent of my shots are under 100 yards. 30-30, 270, 308, 25-06, 30‐06. I love over under combination guns. I have 22lr over 20 guage, 22 hornet over 12 guage, and 30-30 over 12 guage. In a strictly survival scenario a over under combination rifle and shotgun is hard to beat. I forgot 243 for deer here in Florida another of my favorites

[@jerrymbrinkman1173]

I must confess to discovering a relatively new short, straight-walled cartridge called the 41 Great Lakes caliber. It is based on the 30-06 case shortened to 1.695” and uses a .410 caliber bullet. My custom rifle is a Savage 99, circa 1953 built by a Michigan gunsmith. There are several different types of bullets being produced for the 41 GL. The favorite three are the FURY 180 & 210 SP, and the BEAR CREEK BALLISTIC HV 175 gr copper which is what I used during the early Michigan doe season this month to take two doe with two shots. Various types of rifle are used to make the 41 GL, FROM THE AR-15, to many bolt action, single shot, and lever action.Hopefully some day soon, you will have the opportunity to examine and test the 41 GL. I GREATLY enjoy watching your KZbin work and have been following you for years now. Keep up the good work.

[@brianjaynes1030]

In addition to buying my entire reloading setup from an old family friend I also got a reloading mentor who was very giving with his hard earned knowledge and who was as stoked to teach someone as I was to learn! Win - win!

[@abwdagreat]

Watching from Tasmania Australia. A heap of great info I have learnt from your Chanel.

[@jerrymartin5100]

260 Remington, 308 Winchester, 270 Winchester, 45-70 Govt, 35 Remington.

[@JerryMarkBrinkman]

Ron, I vote for the 41 Great Lakes cartridge out of my Savage 99. I just started using it this fall in Michigan. Prior to this, I have taken many deer 🦌 with the .41 Magnum using the Marlin 1894, T/C Contenders both 10” & 14”, and various revolvers, following up with the 6.5 Arisaka Contender. My other rifles are the 6-06 and the 6.5 Remington Magnum in a Rem. Guide Rifle. Love your various modes of presenting information to us. Enjoy seeing Covey, too.

[@andystampfli9127]

My list, as a Wisconsin hunter has a wild card. 6.5 Grendel, 3030win, 3006, 243win, and because of restrictions on rifles 20ga. If I had to drop the shotgun for another rifle round the 270win. I've been mentor hunting with my son so the last couple of years almost all of my hunting has been with 6.5 Grendel and 762x39(which I bought because of ammo availability 8 years ago) Honorable mention to all of the 6.5, and 7's out there... And a flat out denial of 308 existing

[@Mark-xi3cu]

I turned 16 in 82 and received a rem 270 adl the rest is history, many deer laid to rest.

[@brinkee7674]

Regarding barrel burnout is concerned you are correct. I know a guy named Rich Sherman who designed several cartridges and he would elongate the neck a bit and angle the shoulder so the flame cone doesn't affect the barrel as much. There is no way to avoid burnout but it can be reduced. He has a site called Sherman Wildcats and I swear by many of his cartridges. Some designs are for speed and some are for efficiency. There are some that have both qualities

[@jackbothwell7670]

This was my first year deer hunting and got my first buck on the last day with a 243 my father bought ten years ago and only had some cheep 30 dollar binos and some simple frog tog rain suit also thirty bucks and one box of hornity ammo I used it on target got a 1and have inch group at 100 yards then hunted all year for the last day hiked in my self and came back to meet my father and his friend with my first buck after that told me I would never see a buck hiking a deer trail thanks Ron love your content and glad to see all your new videos god bless and take care y’all hunt honest and shoot straight

[@Deerslayer1912]

Big fan of 9mm for grouse. Mainly because I’m always carrying it. With a red dot, head shots are much easier and it offers some opportunity to practice with my CCW

[@colemiller4899]

Next time on Ron spomer Betsy puts Ron in the dog house lol waiting to hear the comments and questions she picks for you. All jokes aside love your show and love how you and your wife can enjoy things together from hunting,working to the podcast thank you guys stay blessed and humble

[@Kanyon-w9u]

One I didn't hear talked about and am VERY surprised, cause I feel it's an amazing hunting caliber for deer size and some larger game is my favorite 257 weatherby mag. Thank you!

[@jerad4336]

For deer hunting I think the 6.5 Creedmoor is the perfect balance of recoil, power, and ammo availability.

[@titomish5914]

Have you shot any game with the CM before?

[@pauloglesbee9517]

I’m very happy with the 6.5 Grendel

[@jerad4336]

@@titomish5914 yes I’ve shot a few.

[@titomish5914]

@@jerad4336 and kind of results have you had?

[@jerad4336]

@@titomish5914 better results with deer than my 30-06. They don’t go far.

[@JamesJustice1957]

M choice of three is my stevens 22-410, 243 and a 30-06 Remington 700's

[@PorscheSpeedster-kz6nc]

I hope we hear about the old reliable 30-06 please. My old Browning chambered in 30-06 has always been my 1 and done rifle. 😊

[@andystampfli9127]

My Ruger #3 did something like this guy's #1 right before the safety came detached from the switch itself. The trigger pull also got crazy tough. Ruger took care of it for me in a couple of weeks. Haven't had the issue since.

[@rogersmaland7077]

In Norway, scope is often more expensive than the rifle, especially for red deer hunting when we can hunt in the moonlight. Which is why sights ilke zeiz are more popular.

[@YouTubeYouTubeYouTubeYouTubeY]

That’s usually the way to go but most of the time, people spend their money on an expensive rifle and then buy a scope with whatever is left in their pockets / on their credit cards.

[@RimfireRanger]

One thing about the combination guns in the USA is the hunting laws don’t allow you to use certain calibers on certain game so if your out hunting whitetail in Iowa you can’t carry any cartridge with the a bottlenecked case or any rifle caliber below .357 center fire.

[@thorgunderson1998]

Used a 243 for the first time this year. Absolutely amazing results my new favorite cartridge.

[@ledgend_coffee]

My favorite rifle has been 243.

[@gerardcorreale7760]

love my weatherby 257 mag weatherguard. great all around gun

[@johnmorganjr769]

Roy's favorite ! 🏞

[@boydw1]

Hopefully you can get a 3 shot group under 1MOA on the next KZbin plaque.

[@suterfamily5578]

.300 win mag for me for everything whitetail and larger; I'm in the east and although an African safari or western elk hunt sounds great, I doubt I'll ever get the chance.

[@YouTubeYouTubeYouTubeYouTubeY]

300 win mag, if I can only have one rifle out West.

[@michaelwilson9986]

Budget rifle include the M18 Masuer n Ruger American

[@45-70Guy]

Many times we see the reference to 45-70 giving more penetration than a 458 win mag for the fact it’s slower but also not expanding at the lower velocity, hence the deeper penetration. Something many people go back and forth on.

[@geoffreyjohnston6483]

Au contaire mon ami! I have Siamese Mauser .45-70. With a 500gr hard cast bullet at 1900 fps, I put said bullet through a 21" dry oak log, barely hanging out of the far side. Retained weght was 450+ and rolled up into a neat ball withe the gas check peeking out. Tried the same with a Hdy 500 softpoint, almost same results, good expansion but found in the dirt about 15 feet from exit(metal detector). At the forementioned velocity, the point is moot.

[@mikemull1478]

We love our 35rem with a180gr copper bullet from a 760 Remington rifle. Love your show.

[@bobbyblair6862]

I built a 22 creedmoor, Ar10 with a carbon fiber barrel. It is my favorite rifle I've owned in a long time. That 80gr eld-x moving at 3400fps works wonders on whitetail.

[@chrisdaniel1339]

The old 220 Swift (22 cal) has taken even large game. Look up the information of the Alaskan Wolfman Frank Glaser, he used the 220 Swift to maximum effectiveness. Ron even did a video on the Swift and using it for big game, it is impressive. Lots of hunters do not understand 22 calibers moving at high velocity are like lasers and deadly on game. Google .220 REDLINE cartridge it will come up on the coyote stuff website, there should be 5 articles on the Coyote Stuff site about this wildcat. Guy necked down a 7mm SAUM case for a 22 cal bullet, those bullets were hauling ass, he took many deer with that rifle. Great articles.

[@TheXaelem]

Hi Ron, regarding the question or comment about slow heavy bullets vs fast lighter bullets: say you have a 180gr bullet shooting 2800fps and you have a 130gr shooting 3295fps. Both are are delivering the same energy at 3135foot pounds. I understand that they will deliver different energy at the same distance but just for the sake of the question say they hit with the exact same energy what would the difference be on the deer it hits? Im guessing different material types for example solid copper vs jacketed lead would have different effects. What Im wondering is would certain types of bullet be more effective if using heavier type at lower speed, maybe softer bullet and a copper would perform better if using a lighter bullet at higher speed...please pardon my knowledge on types of projectiles because I am a exclusively air rifle hunter, but ballistics is just too interesting to not wonder about these questions.

[@Traveler-po3oe]

Great video. I just purchased your 7mm book. Looking forward to reading it. Thanks again.

[@gatorflea2788]

The .284 projectile is the king from way back !

[@johnmorganjr769]

7mm is that 'balanced' diameter, but I'm an American .308" snob. 😎 💥

[@jamesahoffman]

In WV, 30.06, 308win, 30-30win, 7.62x39mm, and for milsurps on whitetail being 7.62x54r (mosins) & 7.5x55 Swiss(k-31/ swiss straight pulls), with 350 legend growing for AR-15 shooters. Have hunted with the 7.62x54r, but swapped out for the .308win and 7.5x55 swiss (it's softer on the shoulder than .308win, but when handloading it takes .308 caliber bullets with 30.06 burn rate powders, for .308 ballistics, surprisingly pleasant and capable)

[@jmc041071]

Hi Ron, I'm glad you got your wife a microphone. I've always enjoyed the banter between the two of you, and have often thought that you should put her in front of the camera with you every now and then. If you can't get her to do that, then that microphone was a great idea and the next best thing! Thanks for another great show Ron!

[@czguy3045]

Good vid as always. For top 5 cartridges for whitetail only, where bottleneck cartridges can be used - discounting nostalgia and bragging rights - I'd probably go 7mm-08 as the very best, then 6.5 Creed , .25-06, .270 and .243 Win/6 Creed tied in last place. All great options, but that's how I'd rank them. If using factory ammo, the 243 and 6mm would require a bit more care in ammo selection. One should easily learn to control any of these by 95% of shooters, I just feel the 7mm-08 is the perfect balance of efficiency, enough oomph to take most deer in most states from most angles with proper ammo. I go with premium-ish ammo or handloads. Fusions, TSX/TTSX or CX. The bigger stuff is fine, but more for versatility rather than being 'better' for a whitetail-specific rifle in my opinion.

[@pauloglesbee9517]

Grendel is my favorite

[@Calaveras32Spcl]

Depending on where you hunt, different rounds perform well. Strait wall state, 45-70. Bottle neck, dedicated deer and nothing else: 243, 6.5cm, 30-30 or 25-06. None are perfect, but all work.

[@poisonPpaully]

A Ruger American is a budget rifle that almost all will shoot sub moa with at least a few different loads An Arkin scope at $4-$-500 A $100 range finder You can have a complete setup on a budget for under $1000.00 And be good for everything 300-400yards Wear thick socks and dark earthtone clothes and your there

[@yukon4545]

280 Rem rules. But then, you knew that. 😊

[@mr.mr.3301]

If I were to guess. 3030, 3006, 6.5cn, 308,270. That is what you see around here mostly.

[@alexmunn5321]

I don't know bit in my opinion people get to hung up on what os the best most useful rifle. The perfect 1 and done. For me if it shoots strait if I do my part and has the capability to shoot as far as I need with good energy at that range I don't care if it is a 25 ,30 ,35 ,45 cal . A good bullet construction and a well placed shot is king. However if I had to pick a few . 7mm mag , 270 , 308 , 30-06 ,300 mag ya just can't go wrong .

[@aaronsweeney1095]

Great episode top five rifles in my gun cabinet are the old model 94 3030 Winchester model 70 in 25 06 Winchester 270 Parker and hale Winchester 308 and a 303 brit just got a old stiga 8mm x57. Haven't had it out yet but was at a gun sale and it caught my eye

[@drocfox9771]

270win

[@The_Cowboy_Hunter_Podcast]

2 guys in our shop have 6.5-300s and we are very close to a third: I think with a good push we could start a revolution because outside of cost too feed it can’t be beat.

[@jameswhitaker1324]

5:44 yeah, I was deer hunting with my .270 and encountered a brace of grouse. I had the .270 and my sidearm, a .44 magnum colt anaconda. I took a grouse with the .44… with no hearing protection. Well… At least the grouse tasted good, or at least I think that’s what my brother was saying, lol. I don’t really want to carry a .22 pistol also, so given the odds of actually encountering a bear in those parts, I think in the future maybe my sidearm will be a ruger single six. That should guarantee I’ll never see another grouse up there…

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Even a handgun 22 LR is to painful for my ears. Try CBees from Remington!

[@jameswhitaker1324]

@@RonSpomerOutdoors aguila colibri is quieter than cb’s. I like it a lot. Out of a Stevens 416 target rifle, it’s a little quieter, but out of a pistol, it’s noticeably quieter. Velocity isn’t a lot to write home about, of course, but it doesn’t take a lot to turn the lights out in a grouse’s house. I’ve almost never shot without hearing protection. I remember back in the day people would say you should at least know what it’s like to fire a gun without hearing protection, but I disagree. I did that once with .357 and once with .40 S&W. They’re both pretty loud. I’d rather have my hearing back from those instances, frankly. I will shoot my .45acp, suppressed without hearing protection, it’s pretty much hearing safe, but I’ve always been a foam plug plus ear muffs sort of guy.

[@Ray-jk9gq]

I like 35 remington 257 roberts 270 win and my old 30/40 krag

[@fedup3582]

Four of my favorites too. Too bad more people don't think so.

[@MichaelLucas-c6u]

Clear things up I hunted with everything that shoots

[@Evanbmt]

Still thinking about this from previous podcasts. But I would say 22Lr in a Henry lever action a savage 110 in 6.5 prc and a custom Montana rifle in 338 lapua. Probably on a savage action, gotta have the bolt locked when safe is on and one in the chamber.

[@Peter-cp7xx]

Tikka t3x varmint stainless 6,5x55 and blaser r93 243win, 8x57js and 9,3x62 covers everything. ❤

[@jesstwyman7353]

.444 Marlin is great in the WV deer woods

[@danny_the_K]

To old Savage model 24 was one of the shotgun on the bottom and 22 or larger on the top… I seem to remember 20ga/22LR and a 12ga/30-30 models.

[@24kachina]

Southern AZ Coues deer. .25-'06 tops em all. 117 grain Hornady Superformance SST. Spins the deer. And my son loves his .243.

[@alexandrealain]

Yea we have much longer shots in America as well which requires more practice and tuning of rifle and ammunition.

[@OregunAdventure]

What happens to a bullet when fired from a gun going the same velocity in the opposite direction ?🤔 Would it just drop to the ground?

[@m444ss]

i wear double hearing protection when at the range and single electronic ear plugs in the field. a suppressor is the same as single hearing pro, and suppressor with ear plugs same as double hearing pro

[@poisonPpaully]

I agree 7 remmag or 6.5 prc for something that can touch things further for the guy with the 308 22lr and 223 auto loaders Unless cost isn’t an issue jump of the porch and go 338 laupua but except $6-$10 a trigger pull if your not reloading

[@brianperiso674]

You have my attention Ron! My 5 choices here in Michigan (smallest to largest Diameter) include: 6.5 Creedmoor, 270 Winchester, 30-06 Springfield, 300WSM, 35 Remington.

[@JohnRozich]

I would like to hear about the recoil of the 6.8 western

[@Plumcraziness]

Using a 165 grain bullet, with 66 grains of powder, at 2,900 fps muzzle velocity, with an 8 pound rifle weight = 25.6 ft-lbs. of recoil energy.

[@jfess1911]

It is a magnum-class cartridge (similar case to a 300 WSM), and has recoil close to the 7mm Rem Mag with similar-weight bullets. It will be significantly more than a 270, for example.

[@daves2678]

Force equals mass x acceleration, in both cases all the motion is distributed. The bullet does not stop fully intact neither does you shoulder stay fixed. There are only small portions of available energy actually causing the damage or recoil

[@William-r3n]

Hello ron enjoy the show i hunt with 30.36 all my life i know will do thats all i need thank you ron?

[@PeterLiebermann]

Maybe with the topic of most popular caliber being done so many times. We add most popular bullet weights and types to the mix. I imagine 120 - 150 is the most common grain. But would not have a clue about bullet types.

[@jameswhitaker1324]

56:42 I’d say that the only clothing you shouldn’t skimp on is the boots. If you have good quality boots that fit you well, you’ll be very happy with your milsurp wool trousers, cheap hoodie and rainproof outer shell from the local sporting goods store. If you spend $1500 on Gucci hunting clothes but go cheap on your boots, you’ll quickly be miserable.

[@BARaymond1006]

41 Great Lakes from what I hear here in MI is supposed to be a “Hot” 400 Legend

[@micheal2312]

One caliber for all 30 06

[@poisonPpaully]

Big do it all tool 7mmrem mag Best all around 308 plus cheap ammo for ar10 fun After that it’s hard to argue 6.5 creed but 6mm creed and 243 are great But 556 or 223 can absolutely handle any whitetail inside of 300 yards with good shot placement

[@billshell2446]

How do you feel about about thim adapters to shoot all kinds of ammo in the same pistol

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

I'm not sure what a "thim" adapter is, Bill, but if you mean chamber inserts to convert to a different cartridge, the only one that makes sense to me is one for a 22 rimfire so you can train with your gun while using low cost, low recoil ammo. But I'm not that familiar with other options. Seems easier and more convenient to just get different handguns is whatever chambering you desire. Difference in price can't be all that much.

[@garyrhodes5403]

3006 and 30/30 for me

[@aquadocpeterson1529]

Ron, I have bounced from "liking" you to "hating" You... after a lot of reflection... I like your stance probably 98%. Thank you.

[@OldSchoolParatrooper]

Im actually about to rehome and replace part of my collection because of what im seeing with some of these new cartridges. I'll be keeping my 30-30 and 25-06, but going to step into either a 280 ackly or 7 prc.

[@jasonbarnett8029]

I have both the 280AI and 7PRC if that’s what you are looking at. IMO both are fantastic! A little more reach and thump to the 7PRC. I lean in favor of the 7PRC if elk are on the menu, but both will do the job. Both are shooting the new Barnes LRX Factory ammo very well.

[@OldSchoolParatrooper]

​@jasonbarnett8029 well thank you. Elk, deer, and bear are all 3 on the menu. Been using 270 and 308 for a lot of years now. But I'm looking at doing some back country hunts and longer ranges now

[@jasonbarnett8029]

@@OldSchoolParatrooper I have both of my 7mms in backcountry rifles. 280AI savage ultralite (refitted with Stock’s carbon hunter stock) and 7prc in Seekins Precision havak element. The Seekins is my new favorite. I bought it this year for spring bear. Most expensive gun I have ever bought, but it also is the most accurate and what I would recommend for longer shots on those three animals. I have shot 2 bears with 280AI and 1 with 7prc. Close range shots. All three just as dead. 3 weeks ago I added a mule deer to the 7prc. Still trying to add an elk in there, but I haven’t got a shot opportunity yet…. IMO you can’t go wrong with either cartridge. Pick a good backcountry rifle platform and go from there. 😀

[@sasquatchoutdoors]

In Alberta Canada there's lot of places to rent pack goats for elf hunting

[@dinoquintana4319]

I have 3 3006s a7 rem mag 2 708s a3040 krag a 8mm mauser a250 savage a 300 savage but my go to is a 303 savage in a 125 year old savage model 1899.basically equivelant to the 3030.its my elk rifle to.cows only no harder to kill than a tough muley and better meat

[@fuggintall]

358 Winchester... or a 356 if you like lever guns.

[@themattsweeney]

284 Winchester ! 👍🏼1963

[@Gisgreat-v8w]

Ron, I am looking at a weatherby vanguard in 7mm-08 with an athlon 4-20x scope. My question is, for the same cost, could I choose a better rifle, optic, or cartridge?

[@johnthomasson1381]

Like your shirt Ron! Always liked you! Don’t understand why you don’t like 308. Because my line up is 308 7mm WBY and 300 win mag.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Thanks John. You've got me reassessing my dislike of the 308! (It really is a do-it-all round with lots of rifle and ammo/bullet options. A smart choice.)

[@ChristopherEDenton-ol7pv]

7MM-08 W/ 150 GR ABLR, 6MM CREEDMOOR W/ 108 GR ELITE HUNTER, 35 REMINGTON W/ BUFFALO BORE 220 GR

[@DadWil]

Sioux Falls, SD... Great place... Have you been to the Fleet Farm in Rapid City, SD?

[@HondoTrailside]

Mr Economy. Get an air rifle, even a BB gun, and you can practice every day, rather than that hunting shooting course, you were talking about. You can get a workable range finder for maybe 60 bucks. I originally got a Bushnell back when they first came out, but it broke after a year or two, and it was 400 in the 90s. Practicing with the range finder to get an eye for range, or using it when you have time will blow the doors off the whole point blank range thing Ron advocates. Look at it this way. If you have a load that is doing say 2 inches at 100yrds, which is sloppy these days with off the shelf rifle and ammo, you can still keep your shots on Ron's 300 yard, 6 inch target, so long as you have the yardage with your laser. If you jump an animal for a near in, under 100yrd shot, your accuracy is fine, equivalent to the classic Model 94. At 300 yards you laser your target and hold over for the range. If you are on a stand you can use the laser to develop a range card so you know the ranges out to landmarks. Why? Because with that approach you can shoot right up there to Ron, with cheaper gear, and no ammo burn for load development. You don't need a reloading kit, or load development time. And seriously, you are shooting at 300 yards with the accuracy of a trad bow at 20 yards, just how much of a crutch do you really need? Point blank range systems eliminate the need to have the number before you shoot, and that can be a little quicker. But what about that 300 yard shot? People easily goof range estimation out that far. So you still really need to know the range. So the range finder based system is basically as good, and drastically reduces the time and money you need to spend on gear. A range finder is also useful for setting up targets for practice, if you have some land. Range finders have never been cheaper, and they are the biggest breakthrough in hunting gear in the last 50 years.