More on Deer Rifles

257Bob: (from 24hourcampfire.com)
not really, as long as the bullet is decent. a 30-06 will do it all, the rest just makes it interesting. that's why I dont own a 30-06, like to keep trying different things just to keep it fun.

Now there's a concept I can relate to. In fact, that's close to what my buddies told me when they guided me to my first 30-06 back in the early 80's: After a 30-06, you probably won't need to buy anything else.

That's also why I started moving away from the '06. Honestly, after 7 years of sampling the field, I am left believing in their
wisdom about the 30-06. I probably did not need all the other rifles.

On the other hand, the trip has been quite fun. I have found that setting up a new rifle-- especially if it involves new dies, bullets, brass, etc. is a trip unto itself. If I go too long without that challenge, I start to miss it. That was the discovery that my buddies did not divulge. Mind you, their closets were full of rifles when they gave me the advice about the '06.

In 20-some years, I've learned a few seemingly immutable truths about deer hunting. Some of these have already been covered.

1) Deer are easy to kill, given good shot placement
2) Moderation. Dead is Dead. Extremes in velocity, bullet weight, etc. are all fine, but they will end up costing you-- usually both in $ and recoil.
3) A lot of fine hunters kill lots of deer with 12 GA 2 3/4" slugs. A fancy centerfire rifle does not set you above them.
4) There are way to many rifles and lots of premium ammo purchased as a perceived compensation for lack of skill, lack of bench time, lack of scouting, etc. This is a false trade.
5) It ain't the rifle. It's the setup. My Win Model 70 in 30-06, set up for bean field work makes a damn poor treestand rifle. However, my Savage 99 in 308 Win set up for tree stands will work nicely at a distance, but maybe not extreme distance. On the other hand, I'm not going to waste time at the bench with the 99 if I have the '70 ready.
6) Most of deer hunting still takes place in the realm of myth and magic. Science is not a satisfying answer and it makes a poor replacement. In a lot of these disagreements, it's like watching Mormons vs. Baptists.
7) Each believe system needs its boogeymen. The .308 crowd needs the .22 crowd. The .270 crowd needs the .308 crowd. This is how the mock-tribe is able to bond, by collectively throwing rocks at the other crowd. Judging how we all ganged up on the one lone .25 ACP deer hunter a few years ago, no one is immune.

I've been shaking my rattle a lot longer than I have been deer hunting, and I have been deer hunting longer than some of you have existed. I put my my personal stamp of IMHO on all this. Your mileage may vary.