Best backyard deer caliber?

[3Crows]

I have a CVA Scout single shot in .44 Magnum and I have (two actually ) a Marlin .45-70 SBL. So my purpose for getting the CVA Scout was that I wanted a compact no tool, take down rifle that could double as my backyard deer rifle. But having the .45-70, and I do hand load, I got to thinking that why choose a fairly stout supersonic .44 Magnum load with a 240 grain jacketed bullet when I could probably get a good DRT subsonic .45-70 load with the good old 405 grain hard cast lead? Noise and the animal running off on adjacent properties is the concern. Properties to both sides not issue with retrieval but behind me, it could be.

Maybe I need to move again, quite certain I do.

3C

 

[earlthegoat2]

A 458 Socom or 450 BM subsonic load would be my choice if I was starting from scratch. CVA also has a single shot in 450 BM.

The 45-70 would have greater and IMO, better options for subloads than 44 Mag.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Well, my backyard allows me to use most anything. This past year I took a nice 8pt with my REM M7 in .260Rem. 120gr Speer HotCor @ 2,800fps. Range was 22yds!
I’ve used a .218Bee to .375Ruger, and .45/70. The .260 and companion 7mm08 seem about the best.

My favorite however is a Marlin M336 in .35Rem.
But, the .44mag would do well. But would be limited to 100yds, or maybe a bit more.
But, I’ve killed plenty with a .22Hornet or .223.
It’s really just: shot placement, shot placement, shot placement!!!

 

[3Crows]

Shot placement is not the concern. I am a pretty good shot overall . The noise and the supersonic crack in particular is my concern. The boom is one thing, the crack that echos for miles is quite another.

I have never had a neighbor become interested when I shoot subsonic loads on my range but I have an air rifle that will send a .25 caliber at supersonic speeds and that immediately get my neighbor out to investigate (so he can get in on the fun) the crack. I guess my question was trying to equate a 405 grain at 1000 fps muzzle velocity to a .44 Magnum 240 grain FMJ (or even 300 grain HCL), what do I have to do with the .44 Magnum to be equal. I understand there are so many variables as to make an absolute answer impossible. The animal itself is a variable because plenty of dead deer have run aways, others just drop, from the same wounds. I need to study some HCL loads for .44 Magnum.

It has become apparent to me, kind of dumb I guess, should have known, that it is the supersonic crack that really gets attention.

3C

 

[d2wing]

I don't know if you can make them equal or need to. Either will work fine at close range and with proper shot placement. For quick kills I like high velocity to the heart. 40 yards is about the max they will go. Some DRT. But I have had then DRT with slugs too. Shot placement trumps round use. Some guys like shoulder shots to drop them quickly. I have to drive for hours to hunt. Lucky you.
I am not a big fan of the 45-70 but at low velocity the heavier bullet will give you more energy and penetration. Either is enough. Deer are not big.

 

[Legionnaire]

Why not load up some subsonic 300 grain .44 mag loads? I think they'd hit hard enough under 150 yards.

 

[Riomouse911]

My Grandfather was a neck-shot man. He hated ruining meat first, second he wasn't a fan of deer running off and having to track them. He preferred the .257 Roberts but the Win 1894 .30-30 took a lot of them, too.

A heavy, slow .44 or .45/70 through the spine in the neck certainly would anchor your quarry with minimal fuss.

My short-barreled guide gun .45/70 is ported and is substantially louder than the 26” 1894 CB. The trapdoor and similar-pressure loads I put together are easier on the report than the high pressure loads are with both rifles.

Stay safe.

 

[FL-NC]

What is the distance and how well you can hit at that distance (I have no idea what your backyard dimensions are) would determine if you can put a 44 mag in the neck. I can do that easily with my suppressed 300 blk using Hornady sub-x. Either of those rounds you mentioned sound like they would rip a big nasty hole with a good blood trail.

 

[bigpower491]

A good revolver, 44 Special, 45 Colt, standard loads for the latter.
That's what I sit in my "backyard" with


Out the window.....450 Bush.

Like the post above.. distances are going to be the key factor in determining your options

 

[dh1633pm]

In my backyard, a crossbow. Silent but deadly. Neighbors can’t see me, but living close to a development full of blue people, it’s best not to shoot loud. No, I don’t hunt with one of these. It is however the answer.

 

[Newtosavage]

Crossbow won't keep them off the neighbor's property.

To answer the OP's question, nothing wrong with a 300 BO in that situation as far as I'm concerned. Subs are readily available.

 

[LoonWulf]

.44 sub to the noggin is probably where id be at......

Most of what i used for "back yard" damage control shooting were .22lr
Day or night it worked well and irritated nobody. I doubt they would be legal sans permit tho.

 

[Bazoo]

If the neighbors behind you won’t allow retrieval, then they shouldn’t have any complaints with the stink and possums and buzzards.

 

[GBExpat]

... Maybe I need to move again, quite certain I do.

Orrrrrrrrr ... you could stop giving them names and feeding them and they will stop coming into your backyard ... WAIT! ... that's me, not you.

Never mind.

 

[stringnut]

Flat nose hard cast through the shoulders will probably result in a knock down from either cartridge. Both will penetrate all the way through unless you have some unusually large deer. At low velocity won’t damage much meat. Will also work with lung hits. Usually go a little ways. The secret is Wide flat nose. You are not looking for a long range wonder. If it least one shoulder is hit never had one toddle off far.

 

[Picher]

Sorry. Posted in the wrong thread.

 

[Weflyfast]

.........headshot.....caliber and subsonic ....or hypersonic.....not really that important!

 

[3Crows]

Orrrrrrrrr ... you could stop giving them names and feeding them and they will stop coming into your backyard ... WAIT! ... that's me, not you.

Never mind.

I do not give them names or feed them and I have been shooting at their feet, running monofilament with bells and cans all over, you name it, and they still kill my trees that I spend all summer watering. Damn rats with horns.



When a Southerner says "shooting at" that means an intentional miss just for fun. It is good sport, especially when a Yankee comes by. The old feller who taught me how to "shoot at" is long gone but I am pretty good at missing .

3C

 

[dh1633pm]

They ate all my hemlocks. Yes, I need to start shooting them to keep them away. Not with a rifle or crossbow. Maybe a BB Gun. If I did want to take one, one of my levers in 45 Colt would be my first choice.

 

[WisBorn]

How about head shots with a 22 cal if legal in your area? DRT and Hornets or subsonic 223 will get it done? Good luck with eliminating your deer/varmint problem.

 

[someguy2800]

One thing I’ve observed shooting subsonic hard cast is that they have a nasty tendency to ricochet and bounce off into the trees, so if you have neighbors around be extra careful of what’s behind. They will even bounce of soft dirt at a shallow angle.

I’m currently building a cva 44 mag to shoot 300 gr suppressed

 

[3Crows]

One thing I’ve observed shooting subsonic hard cast is that they have a nasty tendency to ricochet and bounce off into the trees, so if you have neighbors around be extra careful of what’s behind. They will even bounce of soft dirt at a shallow angle.

I’m currently building a cva 44 mag to shoot 300 gr suppressed

You are getting the barrel threaded? CVA threaded most of the calibers save for the .44 Magnum which is the one that could most utilize it .

3C

 

[Armored farmer]

I knew a guy who carried a blunt small game tip on an arrow in his quiver. Whenever one of those wise old does winded him and started blowing.....he would educate her of the dangers of lingering near a human. He used this trick probably a half dozen times in as many years. It seems that they graduated from the university of "Thump in the Ribs" and never needed a refresher course.
Archery or crossbow is the way to go when neighbors are involved. No ATF. No trusts. No background checks. No FFL. No dead deer to haul off.
Judging from the attached photo those deer would be in xbow range. Paint your arrows neon or hot pink so you can find them.
You will be looking forward to having deer in your yard with great anticipation!......


...and what perfect practice for archery season. You'll be a regular Robin Hood.

 

[someguy2800]

You are getting the barrel threaded? CVA threaded most fo the calibers save for the .44 Magnum which is the one that could most utilize it .

3C

Going to shorten it to 16” and have it threaded.

 

[Chuck R.]

I do not give them names or feed them and I have been shooting at their feet, running monofilament with bells and cans all over, you name it, and they still kill my trees that I spend all summer watering. Damn rats with horns.

View attachment 1070714

When a Southerner says "shooting at" that means an intentional miss just for fun. It is good sport, especially when a Yankee comes by. The old feller who taught me how to "shoot at" is long gone but I am pretty good at missing .

3C

I cage or tube the trees I plant up in my deer engagement area, I also put 14" tubes on the bases to keep the bunnies at bay. The bucks also will rub any tree that sticks out, so every fall I wrap the non-caged trees in chicken wire.





They're funny the way they will go after any tree that's been planted and leave the exact same species that's grown naturally alone. They hammered the common persimmons I planted that were literally a few steps away from some natural growth.