What is the best bullet for deer hunting

June 6, 2022

 

As it is known, hunting has been an activity that attracted people not only as an opportunity to get the meat they need for food, but also to get special unforgettable impressions and a sense of achievement. Having started millions of years ago, it is still popular and attractive for many of us. There are various types of a game in modern-day hunting with deer being among the most popular ones. You may find it exciting to go deer stalking one day.

Specifics of deer hunting

Let's focus on deer hunting today. So, what should you remember before going deer stalking? To begin with, broaden your knowledge about different types of deer, especially the muntjac, the red deer, the fallow deer, the reindeer, the white-tailed deer, the roe deer, the water deer, the elk and the moose. You will really need to read about them and study their behaviour. In most cases, a theory-first approach proves to be productive. Then, go on and carry out some practical observations. You will probably need to love scouting and spending time close to nature. Try to find the place where deer hang out, look carefully at the ones where they are bedding and feeding. Developed skills in reading deer traces and signs they leave will make your deer stalking experience even more enjoyable. It is advisable to do this during the day when deer are not so mobile or easily scared and their steps are well-visible. Binoculars or other optics might well be very useful here too.
Remember that deer have quite good senses and have strong survival instincts; therefore it is usually difficult to get close to them unnoticed. That's why it's necessary to keep silent and try to move as quietly as you can. Another thing you need to take into account is wind direction. In order not to be detected by deer, try to stay in the position with the wind blowing in your direction from the deer. In addition, always use the landscape to your advantage, never skyline yourself by standing upright on the hill or in the open area. It's better to wear camouflage clothes and a mask or use face paint. Be ready to stay motionless and silent for hours during your hunt. And finally, practice, practice, and practice shooting before the hunting day.

What do you need for deer hunting?

The success of deer hunting depends on different factors such as correct choice of weapon, appropriate bullets, distance to the game, deer's size, wind direction and strength, landscape and area, etc.
The main thing essential for any deer hunt is a thoroughly chosen rifle, muzzleloader, or shotgun with bullets. If you are a beginner, you may ask for advice on the weapon from instructors and consultants working in specialized stores or online experts on special websites.
In the stage of preparation, you will definitely need to study your local laws and regulations about deer hunting, and find out about the license you may need. It will be wise to get your binoculars or some other optics ready for the big day. As for camouflage clothes, they are desirable but not 100% needed. You can easily wear neutral colours like green, brown, gray, etc. Pick your outfit according to the weather conditions, opt for a multi-layered one made of modern synthetic fabrics that will let your body breathe and if you sweat, it will dry faster than any cotton thing. The main demand for footwear is that your boots need to be comfortable, waterproof, and neither too warm, nor too cold. In most cases, hunting mid-calf leather boots can be appropriate for deer hunting. The gear should also include a hunting knife. Moreover, high-quality protection for your eyes and ears is a must-have for any hunter.

How to choose a bullet for deer hunting?

The question about the most suitable bullets for deer stalking requires more attention than any other. In any case, you should take a careful look at the following factors: its shape, construction and weight, the metal it is made of, stored kinetic energy, proper penetration and adequate expansion abilities, the speed at the hitting point, possible deformation, SD (sectional density), BC (ballistic coefficient), weight retention after shooting etc.
Your perfect bullet for deer hunting must combine two main characteristics: proper penetration into the game's body and bullet expansion that is neither too little nor too much. A well-chosen bullet will help you to avoid such situations when after you have shot and hit the game, it is still able to run over 100 or even 200 meters, which means that the animal suffers from pain and can hide from you in a difficult-to-reach place. When choosing a bullet for deer, try to take into account all the nuances to ensure a humane option with a quick death of the game. Anyway, don't buy any bullets just because they are fashionable or fast. Take a more profound approach.
Of course, you should study the manufacturer's recommendations and instructions, which mention what type of game the bullets are designed for. On some of the bullet boxes, you can see the picture of a deer or read the inscription saying "For deer and thin-skinned game" or something like that.
Speaking about the caliber, the most suitable for deer hunt are .270 winchester and .308 winchester, where the former is preferable for medium-sized quarry while the latter is suitable for any deer in terms of accuracy and predictability. In fact, there is a wide choice of bullets that can be successfully used in deer hunting. The most commonly used are hollow-point, soft-point (also known as nose-pointed), and ballistic tips. The bullets can be made of different metals, such as lead, copper or copper alloy, steel and others. But in some local regulations the authorities allow to use only all-copper ones as a non-toxic alternative. So, be careful to follow the rules. Hollow-point bullets ought to be used out of large-caliber rifles which are usually not so fast. Bullets of this kind expand on hitting the game's body and don't have deep penetration ability. Soft-point bullets usually penetrate deeper if the bullet's weight is enough, but their expansion is less wide compared to hollow points. Ballistic tips have even higher ballistic coefficient (BC) and a more rapid expansion, which results in a bigger shock to the game and a faster death.
The place where you are shooting is also important for a successful hunt. Keep in mind that every bullet's killing power depends on the part of the deer's body in which it enters. If you intend to hit the heart or lungs of a deer, you will most likely need a bullet that expands more slowly throughout its movement in the quarry's body. In case of such a shot, the bullet must be strong enough to pierce the chest and fully expand there. The situation is different when you want to shoot a deer's neck or head. There the need for fast frangible bullets can be explained by the disrupting power of such bullets that are able to kill the game almost instantly.
Conclusion To sum up, when choosing what deer stalking bullets to buy for your rifle, muzzleloader or shotgun it's vital to match the bullet to the conditions and the game you are going to hunt.