My father and I are going Deer hunting and were wondering what out of the below caliber would be best for a Red Deer. I have .223 Hog Thumpers, 5.56 M193, or 30-30 lever revolution? The .223/5.56 would be coming out of a DDM4 V11pro, and the 30-30 would be a Marlin 336XLR. I also have a Browning BAR in 30.06, but wasn't planning on bringing it unless it's absolutely necessary.
Unless deer are really small, not a fan of 223 for deer, even where legal. Yes it works, but super marginal. FMJ is not usually legal ammo so a good controlled expansion bullet would be my choice. If distance is under 150y, the ole 30-30 has killed a ton of deer.
FWIW, you say red deer. Red stag I am aware of, how big & what are red deer? Red stag are like small elk, 30-30 way better imo.
We have used the three you listed and many more,
including handguns and 12ga slugs, I would not think
twice about the 223 with a good bullet, it works great,
both mule and white tail.
Which I personally never worried about. I have traveled a lot to hunt, several states & countries. I have always hunted with oddball or even wildcat rounds. Since I handload, never cared about factory available ammo.
If chasing the only Red Deer I'm aware of, and so is google, then the 30 06 or similar size round, since it's an Elk size animal. 30 30 is the same bullet, but it isn't the same round by a long stretch.
7MM Magnum or .270 Win would also be a great round as well, and about as small as I'd go. If making the hunt of a life time, don't leave anything to chance.
Never undersize when hunting. Bad ethics and bad form.
IF it is red stag in a foreign country, buy a new rifle. It will be the cheapest part of the trip! Red stag are small elk, 300# class. So a 6.5 & up will do with good bullets.
I like the 7x57 idea. I have a Fajen stocked Mauser in this cailber and love it. Some say it’s too light for elk but many European hunters have killed a whole lot if game with it. Seems more like matching the proper bullet to the game is the secret to this caliber. Low recoil, excellent ballistics. But a good 30.06 is hard to beat. If you’re going to Europe or New Zealand the 7x57 might be easier to find if necessary.
Take the 30-06. Plenty of power up close or out several hundreds of yards. I take it where you are going you can take semis since you did not rule out the AR15.
Of the three caliber a you listed the .30-06 is best suited to elk sized game.
You should use a good JSP heavy for caliber round.
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