Knock down power

[Hillbilly simpleman]

hello i have bad knees and have a hard time in the woods here in tennessee - what calaber would you choose for most knock down stoping power 100 yards or less

 

[weekender21]

Any center fire rifle will “knock down” a whitetail with a high shoulder shot. An accurate rifle you can shoot well would be my choice. When I think specific deer calibers for 100 yard shots, I’m thinking about 6mm options. .243, 6mm Creedmoor etc.

The MOST knockdown power could be any big magnum but I’d stick with a smaller caliber that you can shoot well. Goal being 1MOA (1” at 100 yards) or less. .308 is a time tested, low recoil, 30 cal option if you really desire a larger bullet. Most deer ammo in .308 will be 150-175 grains. In .243 the most common options are 80-100 grains. These two are good to compare, .243 uses necked down .308 brass.

The larger magnum cartridges are designed to offer deer killing energy and velocity at longer distances. They will certainly kill a deer at 100 yards but that’s not really the tool for the job IMO.

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[Hillbilly simpleman]

Any center fire rifle will “knock down” a whitetail with a high shoulder shot. An accurate rifle you can shoot well would be my choice. When I think specific deer calibers for 100 yard shots, I’m thinking about 6mm options. .243, 6mm Creedmoor etc.

The MOST knockdown power could be any big magnum but I’d stick with a smaller caliber that you can shoot well. Goal being 1MOA (1” at 100 yards) or less. .308 is a time tested, low recoil, 30 cal option if you really desire a larger bullet. Most deer ammo in .308 will be 150-175 grains. In .243 the most common options are 80-100 grains. These two are good to compare, .243 uses necked down .308 brass.

The larger magnum cartridges are designed to offer deer killing energy and velocity at longer distances. They will certainly kill a deer at 100 yards but that’s not really the tool for the job IMO.

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thanks for you feedback i have a 270 win ive been hitting them behind the sholder and high shoulder but still they run off down the steep hills i have on my place like i said my knees are BAD and its hard to get them out maybe it the winchester xp ammo in useing a friend told me to try federal fusion 150 == ive been looking at a 450 bushmaster or 57-70

 

[weekender21]

thanks for you feedback i have a 270 win ive been hitting them behind the sholder and high shoulder but still they run off down the steep hills i have on my place like i said my knees are BAD and its hard to get them out maybe it the winchester xp ammo in useing a friend told me to try federal fusion 150 == ive been looking at a 450 bushmaster or 57-70

.270 WIN is definitely enough gun. If you hit them high shoulder (where the spine passes between the shoulder blades) there is no running.

Even with a big bore you’ll still have some deer run with the typical shot in the crease. The meat damage would be my bigger concern though.

You need to find a younger hunting buddy with a strong back and keep him/her on speed dial!


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[Mennoniteman]

I've hunted extensively with a 243 and it's a good deer rifle, and I've taken a 350 lb black bear with it, but it's not a knock down cartridge. 45-70, now that's a knockdown cartridge.

 

[yoderjac]

I've got a .300 Win Mag TC Encore. Shot placement is the most important thing, but my 180 grain Hornady SSTs do devastating damage to a shoulder. Deer don't run with a well placed scapula shot. This Encore has a J. P. Howitzer muzzle brake on it and is a dream to shoot, but good hearing protection is a must.

Having said that, when I was hunting in a shotgun only area, a 12 gauge slug did a lot of shoulder damage and a well placed shot would bang-flop a deer inside 100 yards as well.

 

[1100LT20]

Your 270 will drop em, like Yoder said, gotta bust the scapula. I’ve only had 2 rifles that dropped every deer I took with them. A 270 Winchester firing 130 gr hornady interlocks and a 308 Winchester firing 150 gr Nosler ballistic tips. I do believe it was because most of those deer were 100 lb does feeding and at ease with the world though? I totally understand your dilemma, dragging dead deer outta deep hollows is for the young and restless, not for us over the hill hunters.

 

[Mennoniteman]

I worked in a butcher shop as an teenager and that guy taught us to stay away from the shoulders, too much meat loss and a real bloody mess to butcher. A broadside double lung through the ribs well behind the shoulders and get the kid you took along hunting to drag them out works well with any caliber.
Or a neck shot at close range if you are addicted to bang-flop.

 

[catscratch]

I've got a .50 BMG. The oldest boy shot a deer with it once. It didn't go anywhere after the shot.

You might look into investing in a ATV with a winch. Your 270 will knock them down un their tracks with the right placement, but that won't help much if it's not standing in the right spot. Something to do the dragging for you would be my suggestion.

 

[Hillbilly simpleman]

Thanks to everone for the help - ill think and do some looking around

 

[Drycreek]

The red dot or an inch or two lower will anchor your deer

 

[Hillbilly simpleman]

The red dot or an inch or two lower will anchor your deer View attachment 30780

Thanks