Rifle Calibers
Rifle calibers are a measurement of the bullet diameter in decimal inches, or millimeters. Technically that's not correct, but it's close enough for most of us, and simple. Here are a few of the most common hunting rifle calibers and a little about some of the cartridges. They are in ascending order by size, or diameter. Keep in mind that the bullet is most important component regardless of caliber, or cartridge. .17 cal. or 4.5 mm: Common in air rifles, two new rim-fires, and several center-fire varmint cartridges. Not for deer. .20 cal. or 5 mm: A few air rifles, one older rim-fire, and one new center-fire varmint cartridge. Not for deer. .22 cal. or 5.56 mm: Air rifles, the most popular rim-fire, some military, and numerous popular center-fire varmint cartridges. The center-fires .25 cal.: Similar to what was said about the .24 cal., the .257 Robert's and .25-06 are perhaps even better for deer and still ok for varmints. Use heaver 100+ grain bullets for deer. .26 cal. or 6.5 mm: Not a popular rifle caliber in the USA, but the .260 Remington should be great for deer with the right 120+ grain deer bullets. .27 cal.: With careful bullet selection the .270 Winchester is still hard to beat for everything in North American except possibly big bear and moose. Use 130-140 grain bullets designed for deer. .28 cal. or 7 mm: Weren't very popular rifle calibers (in the USA) for many years, but that has completely changed. The old 7x57 and the .280 Remington are great cartridges which have been overshadowed by newer, more powerful, rounds. The 7 mm Remington Magnum being the one which helped to make this caliber popular. With these powerful higher velocity rounds you need a 140-160 grain bullet designed for deer, not those made for bigger game. .30 cal. or 7.62 mm: This is kind of the middle of the middle caliber, and it may still be the most commonly used caliber. There are some very popular .30 cal. cartridges both military and civilian. The .30-30 was once thought of as "the" deer rifle. The .30-06 was once considered the most versatile of all center-fire hunting rifles. The 30-30 still works, and the 30-06 could still be the most versatile rifle caliber, but many hunters are attracted to newer rounds.
Some hunters say that .30 cal. is larger than needed for deer in a modern high velocity cartridge.With the hundreds of .30 cal loads, velocities which range from around 2000 fps to over 3000 fps, and bullets which can weigh from 100-220 grains you must carefully pick an appropriate bullet for deer. Find one which says it is designed for deer. Probably a bullet of 150-180 grains. Do not use military FMJ(full metal jacket) bullets; they will not expand and will cripple deer!Over .30 caliber: Once we go to hunting rifles in calibers larger than .30; the cartridges really split into several different categories. Many of the larger cal. deer cartridges are made for lever action rifles. Some are also revolver rounds. Some are made for the really big game; moose, big bear, and even African game. We really like some, and don't discount their effectiveness, we just believe most hunters will use something else. Again, make sure the bullet used is designed for deer, not moose, bear, elephants... The revolver rounds such as .357, .41, and .44 magnums are large caliber, but very short range deer loads. Even when fired out of a rifle their short fat bullets loose energy / velocity rapidly. Some still believe in the brush-bucking-rounds; rifle calibers, such as the old .35 Remington and .45-70; the newer .444 and .450 Marlin rounds. Years ago some hunters believed that lower velocity cartridges with bigger bullets would shoot through brush better than higher velocity cartridges with smaller bullets. While there could be a very slight difference, test have shown; little or no difference. Trying to shoot through brush is not a good idea anyway. It may be a safety risk, and it certainly could cause a miss or a crippled deer.
These can be really big cartridges, and they will kick and roar; especially out of a short, light, gun. If you can handle them; they are good deer cartridges. Most have a more limited range. Their bullets are slower and less streamlined and drop too rapidly for good long range shooting. There is a wide range of bullet weights from 180-300+ grains. Stay away from the heaviest and hardest bullets, they are usually made for big bear, buffalo, moose... Although they are big and powerful rounds, they still need the correct bullets for deer.
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Rifle Calibers to Score-Your-Hunting.com
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