I have a .30-.06 that I used to use in South Texas, .308, .25-.06 and 7MM-08 but seem to go exclusively with the 7MM-08, like its compact size for tripod hunting and Bergara heavy barrel. Sometimes wonder why I have 3 other calibers I rarely shoot. Do any of you all regularly rotate deer shooting rifles??

I'll use what makes the most sense.

When hunting Coues whitetail in their traditional habitat, I use my 6.5 PRC due to the extended distances typically encountered. If I am hunting Coues it thicker country that still has opportunities to shoot out a good ways (ex: out to 700 yards), I grab my 6.5 Creedmoor. If I am traveling for deer and the anticipated distances are under 500, then I grab my 308 Win. If I am hunting deer where there are grizzly or brown bear, I then grab my 300 WM.

Just one.

I use my .270 until I get a nice buck or I decide that I`m probably not going to get a mature deer this year. Then all gloves are off and I`m may take my 308, 300-win mag or AR-15/223. Might even revert back to my cross bow. Hogs and turkeys are plentiful even when mature bucks aren`t.

Free, that Win. Model 70 Featherweight, .30-.06, that's what mine is...

Pretty much always the 260 Tikka. Maybe this next season I might try the 6.5 Grendel.

I have about 40 different caliber deer / hog rifles . About 20 are wildcats I developed . It takes years but I do rotate . On a hog hunt I will bring 5-8 different ones , and swap off .

308 Win or 20ga slug on the ACOE land where permitted

Either the 243 with 100 grn. orgen. With 150 grn.
Depending on the distance of the shot

Marlin 30-30 for me and Savage 7mm-08 for the wife. I will occasionally take hers out myself.

many calibers to choose from but this year 7x64 Brenneke only

If close, either open sights 30/30 or an old non scoped Jap 7.7.

100 yard or so, 30-06

From pronghorn to moose, it's a .325 WSM.

I have taken deer with everything from .223 to 12 Gauge Slugs.

As mentioned the terrain does factor in, heavy cover vs. open range, etc., sometimes it is just what rifle/shotgun jumps out of the safe at me lol. If I can't make up my mind it is a .308.

How does that 7.7 shoot? Factory ammo or do you handload for it?

I have killed with an assortment of 30-06 rifles over the years, a .270, and a shotgun or two.
The wife has killed everything with her .270

My list this deer season was:

.243 Win
.270 Win
.270 Wby Mag
.308 Win
.300 Wby Mag
.338 Win Mag
.44 Rem Mag

If you throw in last year you could add a .45-70 Govt to that list.

Since deer season ended in Feb I’ve spent a lot of time behind the thermal on the .223 and I shot 12s and 20s hunting ducks this year.

I hunt for what the cameras tell me is showing up. That could be a 80lb doe or a 500lb Stag and any number of pigs in between. I also don’t like guns that collect dust so I try to shoot as many as possible each year.

I’ll swap out my recurve bows during season.

I rarely rifle hunt for whitetails anymore. If I do it’s normally down south and I’ll take my .257 wby.

Everything we hunt up here I use my 300wsm usually.
Have broken out the 270wsm for a moose hunt though.
Pronghorn to cow bison for me on the 300wsm.

This past year, I've hunted with the following:
.270
.308
6.5 creedmoor
300blk
.357 mag
.50 cal muzzleloader

Last year I also hunted with a 45/70.

In the past, I've killed deer or pigs with all of the above in addition to .243, 30-30, 45 cal muzzleloader, .223, .45acp, and 12 guage buckshot.

I have multiple rifles that I enjoy hunting with. I tend to hunt with the .270 or .308 most often, but will mix in other rifles when the situation makes sense...or, when I just feel like something different.

In the Hill Country, I hunt with a 6.8mm SPC.
In So. Tx, I hunt with a .270 Win.

although I have many different calibers, my go-to most of the time for deer and larger animals is 7mm Rem Mag as I am comfortable with knowing it very well and where it hits out to longer distances (500+ yards) that my eyes no longer like taking a shot that far. My go-to truck gun is a 22.250 for trips to various ranches in case a pig, coyote, bobcat, etc. might step out.

One caliber, one set up, one load. .308, Tikka CTR, 20", Leupold VX5-HD 3-15, Hornady Superfrormance 165 gr. SST. I have a pile of rifles but until my buck is on the ground I want to go with what I know is best for me.

For a one gun affair it’s really hard to beat a .300 mag in any flavor.


Mine is probably also my favorite, not only do I love the round it’s also my favorite rifle, and scope. Hard to pick up anything other than that rig when hunting anything other than a whitetail