Almost any common centerfire rifle cartridge will take a whitetail cleanly with the right bullet and good shot placement. The real question is which one fits the way you hunt: how far you shoot, how much recoil you want, what your state allows and what ammo you can find. Here are the cartridges most deer hunters choose, and how to decide.
What matters in a deer cartridge
- Range: most whitetails are taken inside 200 yards. Long shots across fields or mountains favor flatter-shooting cartridges.
- Recoil: a cartridge you shoot well beats a magnum you flinch with. Lighter recoil means better practice and better shots.
- Bullet: a good hunting bullet matters more than the cartridge name on the box.
- Rules: some states limit which cartridges you can use for deer, so check before you buy.
.308 Winchester
The .308 is the benchmark deer cartridge. It has moderate recoil, works in short-action rifles and comes in more loads than almost anything else, usually 150 to 180 grains. It is accurate and effective on deer well past 300 yards with a proper hunting bullet, and it handles larger game like elk and black bear too. Shop .308 rifles and .308 ammo.
6.5 Creedmoor
Developed by Hornady, the 6.5 Creedmoor has become one of the most popular hunting cartridges in the country. Its long, sleek bullets (typically 120 to 143 grains) hold their speed and resist wind, and recoil is noticeably lighter than a .308. That combination makes it a favorite for new hunters and for longer shots. Browse 6.5 Creedmoor rifles and 6.5 Creedmoor ammo.
.30-06 Springfield and .270 Winchester
These two long-action classics have taken more deer than most cartridges ever will. The .30-06 hits a little harder than a .308 and is a good choice if you also hunt elk. The .270 shoots flat with 130- to 150-grain bullets and is a longtime favorite for open-country deer. Both have plenty of ammo choices and are offered in many bolt-action rifles.
350 Legend and straight-wall cartridges
Several Midwest states limit deer rifles to straight-wall cartridges. Winchester’s 350 Legend was designed for those rules. It has light recoil and is effective out to around 200 yards, which covers most woods and food-plot hunting. Other straight-wall options include .450 Bushmaster and the classic lever-action .45-70. See 350 Legend rifles and our lever-action rifles.
Magnums: 7mm and .300 Win Mag
Magnums like the 7mm Remington Magnum, 7mm PRC and .300 Winchester Magnum shoot flatter and carry more energy at long range. They are excellent for elk and long shots in open country, but they kick harder, cost more to shoot and are more than you need for most whitetail hunting. Shop .300 Win Mag rifles if you plan to hunt bigger game or shoot far.
Lighter options: .243 and .223
The .243 Winchester is a classic choice for young or recoil-sensitive hunters, and with a good bullet it works well on deer at moderate range. The .223 / 5.56 is legal for deer in some states but not others, and it leaves little margin for error, so most hunters choose something larger.
Choose the right bullet
Use a bullet built for hunting, not for target shooting. Controlled-expansion bullets like Remington Core-Lokt, Federal Fusion and Power-Shok, Winchester Deer Season XP and Hornady’s American Whitetail and ELD-X are designed to expand and hold together on deer. Full metal jacket and match bullets are the wrong choice, and some states ban them for hunting. A few areas also require lead-free ammunition. Shop rifle ammunition from Hornady, Federal, Winchester and Remington.
Sight in and practice
Before the season, sight in with the exact load you will hunt with, and practice from the positions you will actually shoot from: sitting, kneeling or off shooting sticks. Know your effective range and pass on shots beyond it. A quality riflescope on solid scope rings and a good pair of binoculars help you make clean, ethical shots.
Check your state’s hunting rules
Deer hunting rules vary by state and sometimes by county. They can set minimum calibers, require straight-wall cartridges or shotguns, limit magazine capacity or require lead-free ammo. Check your state wildlife agency’s current regulations before you buy.
Buying a deer rifle and ammo online
Browse hunting rifles from brands like Browning, Savage, Winchester and Mossberg. Rifles ship to the FFL dealer you choose; read What Is an FFL Transfer? to see how it works. You must be 18 or older to buy a rifle. Ammunition ships to your door in most states; see Can I Ship Ammo to My State?.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Federal, state and local laws change and vary by location; check the current laws where you live before you buy, ship or carry.
