deer bullets

Whats the opinion on the best brush caliber for deer. I have at my disposal a 30-30, 270 and 45-70 and expect to be hunting in pretty thick cover. For sure my longest shot will be under a 100 yards and closer to 25 is more likely. I really don't like shooting the 45-70 but if it is the best way to go so be it. There is so much information out there on this but it all contradicks it self.

[Suzuki]

Nothing "busts brush". All bullets can deflect when they hit branches. Use whichever one you like the best and take a clean shot.

Of the three, I'd probably use the 30-30 but any of them will do the job.

My hunting is similar with most shots under 100 yards. I've been using a .44 Mag. Thompson Contender with 14" barrel and 3X scope. I like hunting with a pistol and the .44 Mag will easily do the job at that range.

[grizzley]

Originally Posted by Suzuki

Nothing "busts brush". All bullets can deflect when they hit branches. Use whichever one you like the best and take a clean shot.

X2, I've seen that discussed many times in various hunting magazines, I would also choose the 30-30 for the type of hunting you are describing.

[Coho975]

All are adequate for deer at <100 yards, are you more comfortable with a bolt or a lever gun?

[last chance]

if you can get a clear shot at 100 yards it's not too heavy. 1st off I'd wait for a clear opening at the kill area no gun shoots accurate through the brush. then I'd be using the rifle that I'm most accurate with. if you can keep all your shots on a pie plate at 100 yards you should wait for an opening at least that size to take a shot.

[buckmaster7600]

It has way less to do with the chambering and everything to do with you.

If you’re sitting in a stand and waiting’s for broadside shots then I would pick the 270. In my experience the 270win has produced more bang flop kills than all other cartridges combined.

Now if your like me and aren’t always able to wait for the perfect broadside shots I would go with the 45-70 out of your list.

I’m a still hunter and a tracker, I almost never get broadside shots that’s why I hunt with 35whelen or 35rem, I need to know my bullet will go end for end at any angle.


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[kswalleyer]

Originally Posted by newbiee

Whats the opinion on the best brush caliber for deer. I have at my disposal a 30-30, 270 and 45-70 and expect to be hunting in pretty thick cover. For sure my longest shot will be under a 100 yards and closer to 25 is more likely. I really don't like shooting the 45-70 but if it is the best way to go so be it. There is so much information out there on this but it all contradicks it self.

from many kills, 30-30 is a hammer and perfect for that situation. open sites lever action Winchester has killed a TON of deer and is a light kicker. It would be my first choice. 45-70 2nd choice. none will shoot through brush. youll want a clear bullet path

[bfish]

45-70 (and .444) are what is used in the mountains around here for boar. Which is often brush shots (rhododendron).

30-06, .270, and 30-30 are the popular deer calibers (in that order), as they seem to be near brush but not in it like the boar.

Interesting thoughts and information. I didn't mention that I hunt from the ground sneakhunting not from a blind or tree stand. The area I used to hunt was kind of open woods and I liked the 270 for that but I got kicked off the land by a new owner and have a new area to hunt that is thicker.

The deer in this area of MN are pretty big.