Overkill?

[Multi-SpeciesHunter]

I hope I'm not opening a can of worms on this one, but I was at scheels buying some .300 win mag loads and the scheels salesman came over and was talking to me about what I was going to shoot with a .300. I just said, well, mule deer this fall hopefully. Do you have any 200 gr Noslers? And he looked at me and said a .300 is way too big for mule deer and that I should get a .270 if I don't have one. I said well that's what I'm using and went back to looking for ammo. I'm shooting 180 gr Winchesters. Anyway, is there really "limits"? It's just practical vs impractical I think. It'll kill it more dead. Any other opinions? Whether it agrees with mine or not?

 

[CoHiCntry]

.300 Win Mag is what I use from antelope to elk and everything in between. IMO, there's no "overkill".

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Ive shot lots of deer with a 30-06. Same bullet as a .300 mag, just slower. 30 years ago I switched to a 25-06 for deer and antelope. Just my wanting a lighter caliber, nothing to do with .30 cal being too big. Use what you have, become very proficient with it and punch lots of holes in paper. Also remember....dead is dead, regardless what caliber does it.
Oh yes, the salesman was full of crap!

 

[Muleys 24/7]

.300 Win Mag is what I use from antelope to elk and everything in between. IMO, there's no "overkill".

x2, well I use a .300 weatherby for all big game. With 180gr, bullets. I love the round, it will knock anything down in North America, and reach out there if needed for a long shot.

 

[HuskyMusky]

I'd much rather see a hunter shooting 200gr 300win mag on everything knowing he could hit said animal vs. a guy with the perfect rifle for every animal who can't hit anything.

I try to use an ideal rifle/caliber, ie deer, elk, etc... but have no problem with overkill, certainly prefer an overkill cartridge to an underkill cartridge.

btw I might ask what you're using/shooting, but would never say something like that's way too much or overkill.

 

[velvetfvr]

There is a thing called overkill???


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[Ikeepitcold]

My buddy uses .300 it's a great all around gun. Besides my 7mm. Lol

 

[packmule]

I even use a 300wm on our puny rabbit-sized whitetails, which is why I have 3 of them....but also a fan of the WSM, WBY, RUM & Plain Jane 30-06. 30-06 can get it done on everything in North America and a cpl authors have shown that, but no reason to handicap yourself if you need a little extra ummmphh for penetration on less than perfect shot opportunities.

 

[NDHunter]

I'm certainly no expert but my only thought is that if a guy uses the same bullet on elk as he does on say an antelope, the bullet might just blow through the animal without hardly opening up. Like if you were using a Barnes TSX or something like that. Can somebody with more knowledge give me their thoughts on that? Even so, your setup for deer seems fine to me.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Annoying salesman

I'd hunt anything in North America with a .300

For my first 20 years hunting I shot everything with a .270, that included multiple moose, 4 sheep, a bunch of antelope, couple caribou, several elk, a grizzly, black bear...etc etc.

For the last 10 I have shot everything with a .300 WSM, that includes a bunch of antelope, some elk, mule deer, and a couple sheep. My wife shoots it and shoots it well.

If you are comfortable with your .300 don't worry about it.

 

[dhershberger]

I hope I'm not opening a can of worms on this one, but I was at scheels buying some .300 win mag loads and the scheels salesman came over and was talking to me about what I was going to shoot with a .300. I just said, well, mule deer this fall hopefully. Do you have any 200 gr Noslers? And he looked at me and said a .300 is way too big for mule deer and that I should get a .270 if I don't have one. I said well that's what I'm using and went back to looking for ammo. I'm shooting 180 gr Winchesters. Anyway, is there really "limits"? It's just practical vs impractical I think. It'll kill it more dead. Any other opinions? Whether it agrees with mine or not?

I guarantee the only reason that guy told you that the .300 was overkill and that you need a .270 is because he wanted to sell you a .270. He's full of crap

 

[Murdy]

.300 wsm is a friend of mines primary whitetail gun

 

[Fink]

That salesman needs to go work at a store that fits him a little better.. Like Walmart.

.300 is an awesome caliber, that will kill anything you want to shoot it with. No such thing as too dead.

 

[trkytrack2]

That salesman must be related to Jack O'Conner. He either use to work at Walmart or will soon work at Walmart. Asking a sporting goods employee at Walmart a question about anything relating to guns, hunting or fishing is a lesson in frustration.

 

[Aught6Fan]

... he looked at me and said a .300 is way too big for mule deer and that I should get a .270 if I don't have one.

I am regularly disappointed by the lack of manners seen in customer service today. If you were looking to purchase a new gun, a sales person might suggest you consider a .270, but clearly you already have a .300!

I agree with all above. The .300 is a fine caliber for mule deer. As with any caliber, practice so you shoot it well, stay within your effective range and ignore this guy.

 

[bigmoose]

I use my 300 ICL with 200 gr. Nosler Partitions for everything. That bullet has always done a great job from 90 lb. California bucks to 300 lb. Montana bucks. I don't think you can go wrong with that combo.

On the other hand, I've picked up 270 that fits me well and is fun to shoot...LOL!

As for the Walmart guy, who knows what he is basing his opinion on?

Moose

 

[In God We Trust]

I upgraded from a 30.06 to a .300 win mag and I use it for everything now. It is my go too hunting rifle now. I started reloading so I load up 165 grain rounds for antelope and the 180 grain bullets for muleys and elk.

 

[Drhorsepower]

I will take the other route here guys, I PERSONALLY think it is overkill. I shoot a 7 mag for everything and I think it's too big on alot of things however I will NOT JUDGE ANYONE that does shoot bigger rounds. Heck my uncle shoots a 375 h&h while my dad shoots a 25-06. What one shoots is a personal choice and we have more important battles then bickering over ones choice of caliber.

As far as that guy telling you to look at different calibers. That," I work at Sportsmans warehouse so I know everything" attitude has to go. I went in to buy some powder one day, I asked him if he had any h4895, he replied I do but you should shoot xx powder. I might have been in a bad mood but I engaged this guy and told him I had 5 minutes so he can tell me everything he knows about reloading and what powder my gun likes. He didn't say a word and walked away. Worst part about it was he didn't walk away to get my powder, I had to ask someone else

 

[Multi-SpeciesHunter]

haha all great responses. I have a .243 as a second gun for mule deer, so I'm not thinking I NEED a .300. But it'll help on a marginal shot.

 

[In God We Trust]

I agree that a .270 is probably a better choice for deer and antelope sized game. For a one gun meets all needs in the continental U.S you can't beat a 7mm or .300 win mag