Why do people choose small calibres for deer?

New Avon Arms
Brave Echo Niner

Brave Echo Niner

Well-Known Member
Hi All,


Simple question really, why do people actively choose to use the smallest possible calibre to take deer?
I have always been of the opinion that you are better to use the largest calibre you can accurately shoot, this should give you the greatest margin for error if shot placement is less than ideal.
Others evidently don't agree with this given the recent threads suggesting lowering the roe calibre in England to .22 CF etc.

I would be interested to see people's opinions and rationales on the subject as to why they would choose a smaller calibre rather than a larger option.


Ben
 
Got a .243win & a 7mm rem mag. I mainly shoot reds. not the smallest / biggest combo, but I actually prefer the 243 based on it being lighter, shorter barrel, easier to manoeuvre in thick forestry blocks, cheaper to feed and a little easier to shoot. It works well on hinds and if I do my bit every bit as effective as the 7mm rm. if it’s an open hill day and / or windy and I turned to the 7mm RM.

ive only shot a few roe, one badly, with the 7rm and it left little on the carcass. 243 is much better on the roe IMO.
 
I have 6mmXC, 6.5x47 and a 30.06. Out of preference I'll always take the 6mm. It's shot all UK species, male and female including Sika on the hill and as long as I do my bit it's plenty powerful enough. I think for me it's a confidence thing, and the 6mm is lovely to shoot. The 30.06 is used as a copper only rifle at the mo.
 
I like a 22 centrefire for it's good trajectory and performance in the wind to 250-300m, although high initial velocity can mean more carcass damage at closer ranges.

IMO copper bullets in smaller calibres have more than adequate penetratio for UK deer, and larger calibres don't give a greater margin for error.

I don't feel that my 270 performs any better than my 6x45 or 220 Swift.
 
Small light calibres can kill as effectively as larger ones. I shoot .222 for roe i Scotland and it does as well as many others I’ve used (.243, 6.5, 7mm, 8x57, 9.3x62). But the .222 has no recoil and little noise and does exactly the same cheaper and more accurately as I shoot more accurately with light recoiling rifles (for the obvious reasons). And that, are the reasons
 
Ben I have a 243 and tbh enjoy shooting it on smaller deer and vermin wouldn’t be my first choice on bigger stuff although it has taken all six seven if you include boar.My go to is my 308 if I had to choose one only it would be the 308 it just ticks every box for me.Question is would I be without a smaller cal when I first set out yes it did my head in now I’ve become a better shot/less nervous not at all it’s a mega little round in the right circumstances.
 
caberslash said:
.223/5.56 Nato has killed everything on Earth.

Maybe not a whale but probably nearly everything...
Click to expand...
One of our site members shot a whale that was stranded on the beach but I forget the chambering of his rifle now. Perhaps he’ll read this and remind us….
 
takbok said:
I like a 22 centrefire for it's good trajectory and performance in the wind to 250-300m, although high initial velocity can mean more carcass damage at closer ranges.

IMO copper bullets in smaller calibres have more than adequate penetratio for UK deer, and larger calibres don't give a greater margin for error.

I don't feel that my 270 performs any better than my 6x45 or 220 Swift.
Click to expand...

WDM Bell is proud of you :thumb:
 
I’ve heard it said “use enough gun” which to me can be taken two ways, enough gun to do the job humanely which in the case of deer a .22cf is when shot accurately or enough gun in terms of no matter where you hit the beast it’s going to go down ie the smaller species using a .270/ .308/crudmoor or a magnum calibre.
But I do also routinely consider the need not p*ss off the neighbours by using cannon when the deuce is perfectly capable of doing the job much more socially just because I have a cannon to use.
 
Accuracy is more important. Putting the bullet in the vital zone is the key issue. With lead, fragmentation may save a misplaced shot, that's not the case with monolithic bullets.

The importance of energy is hugely overstated, you need enough to cause fatal damage to organs. Once it is out the other side the rest just goes into the heather.

Pointless shooting a 30 magnum at hinds etc, a 6.5 has enough energy to blow through and with a modern bullet will ride the wind well enough.
 
I use a .222 always for roe in Scotland. No recoil, hence the scope remains lined up on the target following the shot and the bullet strike can be heard even with out a sound moderator.
In England I use a .243, but I would prefer my .222 if it was legal for roe.
 
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