considering deer hunting caliber question

[NathanB]

So I've been debating hunting this year and really have been considering what caliber I'd like to take out and what would be overkill for my area. I currently own an ar-10 and would love to be able to get out with it mainly because its my favorite to shoot. We know that semis for deer is a long way off if at all and I'd like to keep caliber count down so really would like to stick to 308. My concern is that 308 would be too much for my area considering its more aptly suited for longer ranges and I definitely wouldn't get to stretch it out here

[OldSchoolPC]

I found the OP hard to follow. However, consider a shotty for deer hunting given the versatility of shot/slugs. I am not clear on what your concern is when it comes to 308.

[NathanB]

If it was hard to follow why respond? The last sentence pretty much sums it up. I'm worried about 308 being too much for my area. And since I know absolutely no one I can't really ask what everyone is using.

[dartagnan]

So I've been debating hunting this year and really have been considering what caliber I'd like to take out and what would be overkill for my area. I currently own an ar-10 and would love to be able to get out with it mainly because its my favorite to shoot. We know that semis for deer is a long way off if at all and I'd like to keep caliber count down so really would like to stick to 308. My concern is that 308 would be too much for my area considering its more aptly suited for longer ranges and I definitely wouldn't get to stretch it out here

I use a 308. The guys I hunt with range from 30-30 to 30 06(50 cal too if you count muzzleloader). They all work. With the common ammo you will find in PA whitetail hunting, I don't think you will find overkill.

Where we hunt there is A LOT of underbrush. My friend likes his 180g 30 06 because he says it will blow through any bushes with little to no deflection. I use the 308 mainly because I inherited the rifle. That said I think it was the perfect one for me. The recoil doesn't knock me out and it put all my deer down in 50 yards or less.

The AR 15 is definitely out. According to the Big Game Regulation section of:

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal...=726681&mode=2

"Deer and Bear: Regular Seasons - 1) Manually operated (pump,
lever, bolt actions, single-shot) centerfire rifles, shotguns and handguns
(revolvers or single-shots) with all lead bullet or ball, or bullet
designed to expand on impact; 2) muzzleloading long guns of any
type, 44 caliber or larger, or a muzzleloading handgun 50 caliber
or larger; and 3) long, recurve, compound bows (minimum draw
weight of 35 pounds) or crossbows with broadheads of cutting edge
design. The use of buckshot is not legal, except in the Southeast
Special Regulations Area."

Under General Hunting Regulations

"Unlawful Firearms & Devices: 1) Automatic and semi-automatic
(autoloading) rifl es and handguns; 2) air or gas operated rifl es and
handguns."

There is also a section limited the magazine capacity. I don't remember which section, but it's there.


Have fun hunting and have fun picking out you rifle or shotgun. Getting there is half the fun.

[NathanB]

Thank you for an excellent reply. Btw ar-10 is chambered in 308 not 223.

[firemanmark]

You will be fine with a 308. Just use a good quality hunting bullet, not a match or trget bullet. If you don't reload look to the major brands like Federal(and thier Fusion line), Remington, Hornady etc.

[kbcobra26]

If your hunting in a densly populated area and your uncomfortable using a high powered rifle then just use a slug a gun..

We have it real thick up here with that multi-flora rose crap so I've been using the 20" 30-30 brush gun with a 2.5 power scope which is really handy especially on those warm days when they bed down and ya have to go stomping through the brush lookin' for em'..

Personally though, since you already have a .308, the ammo, and possibly reloading stuff for it I would just get another .308

My. 02 cents

[Breadman03]

I use a 308. The guys I hunt with range from 30-30 to 30 06(50 cal too if you count muzzleloader). They all work. With the common ammo you will find in PA whitetail hunting, I don't think you will find overkill.

Where we hunt there is A LOT of underbrush. My friend likes his 180g 30 06 because he says it will blow through any bushes with little to no deflection. I use the 308 mainly because I inherited the rifle. That said I think it was the perfect one for me. The recoil doesn't knock me out and it put all my deer down in 50 yards or less.

The AR 15 is definitely out. According to the Big Game Regulation section of:

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal...=726681&mode=2

"Deer and Bear: Regular Seasons - 1) Manually operated (pump,
lever, bolt actions, single-shot) centerfire rifles, shotguns and handguns
(revolvers or single-shots) with all lead bullet or ball, or bullet
designed to expand on impact; 2) muzzleloading long guns of any
type, 44 caliber or larger, or a muzzleloading handgun 50 caliber
or larger; and 3) long, recurve, compound bows (minimum draw
weight of 35 pounds) or crossbows with broadheads of cutting edge
design. The use of buckshot is not legal, except in the Southeast
Special Regulations Area."

Under General Hunting Regulations

"Unlawful Firearms & Devices: 1) Automatic and semi-automatic
(autoloading) rifl es and handguns; 2) air or gas operated rifl es and
handguns."

There is also a section limited the magazine capacity. I don't remember which section, but it's there.


Have fun hunting and have fun picking out you rifle or shotgun. Getting there is half the fun.

I'm pretty sure they ditched the capacity limit, except for certain game. This is a pretty recent change. I believe it used to be three rounds.

[JDC]

A good start would be a hunter safety course.

[NathanB]

A good start would be a hunter safety course.

I've been through hunter safety previously. This is not my first time going into the woods. Just my first time in about 14 yrs