Best Caliber for Hunting

[PunchKing]

Well I now have a 308. If killing a deer is anything like shooting paper at 100 yards from a bench, no problem. Something tells me it will be nothing like that, I guess I need more practice.

[denaliguide]

good choice. you have done the easy part. just remember the work really starts when you have the game on the ground. that and how you treat the meat right after you kill it will have a direct impact on the quality of your meat. now that you have the gun, learn how to field dress and care for the meat. that's if you don't already know. i'm assuming here.

[New Mexico]

My choice is a 300 win mag. My son shot his first elk in NM with my 300 when he was 10. I have a ruger synthetic stock with a stainless barrel and a muzzle brake and the recoil in minimal.

My daughter shoots a Savage 300 win mag with a synthetic stock and a stainless barrel and it also has a muzzle break. She has no problem with the recoil and has taken 3 deer and 1 spike elk with it.

I do all my own reloading so I can work up a load that fits each gun.
As you can tell I think the 300 win mag suits us just fine.

Good luck.

[trek87]

I would recommend 30-06. It's more than enough gun to drop any deer in its tracks. It's also powerful enough to put down bigger game such as elk, bears, moose... Great all-around caliber.