Best Deer Hunting Rifle

Published on December 8, 2023
Duration: 9:45

This video explores the best rifle platforms and calibers for deer hunting, drawing on the speaker's extensive personal experience. It contrasts shotguns, the .450 Bushmaster, the .350 Legend, and the new .360 Buckhammer, highlighting pros and cons like stopping power, ammunition cost, recoil, and meat damage. The speaker ultimately favors the .350 Legend and .360 Buckhammer for their balance of effectiveness and reduced damage, recommending the AR platform for its customization.

Quick Summary

For deer hunting, the .350 Legend and .360 Buckhammer are recommended for their effective stopping power, manageable recoil, and minimal meat damage. While shotguns are accessible, rifles like those chambered in .350 Legend offer better accuracy at distance. The AR platform is favored for its superior customization capabilities.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Best Hunting Rifles
  2. 00:39Sponsor: Brownells Discount Code
  3. 01:27Sponsor: Ridge Wallet
  4. 02:30First Hunting Rifle: 12 Gauge Shotgun
  5. 03:11Transition to .450 Bushmaster
  6. 04:06.450 Bushmaster Downsides: Damage & Recoil
  7. 04:38The Best Caliber: .350 Legend
  8. 05:00Personal Experience vs. Ballistics Data
  9. 05:54AR Platform .350 Legend Build
  10. 06:41Newest Caliber: .360 Buckhammer
  11. 06:54Hunting with a Lever Action
  12. 07:51Caliber Summary: Shotgun, .450, .350, .360
  13. 08:36Platform Comparison: AR vs. Lever vs. Bolt
  14. 09:06Supporting the Channel

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best calibers for deer hunting according to this expert?

The expert recommends the .350 Legend and the newer .360 Buckhammer for deer hunting due to their excellent stopping power, manageable recoil, and reduced meat damage compared to larger calibers like the .450 Bushmaster. He notes that shot placement is crucial regardless of caliber.

What are the pros and cons of using a 12-gauge shotgun for deer hunting?

12-gauge shotguns are accessible, affordable, and have readily available ammunition, making them a good starting point. However, their inherent sights limit accuracy at longer distances, making them less ideal for open fields compared to rifles.

Why is the .350 Legend considered a good choice for deer hunting?

The .350 Legend offers a strong balance of stopping power, comparable to the .450 Bushmaster, but with significantly less recoil and less damage to the harvested meat. This makes it a more practical and ethical choice for white-tailed deer and suitable for younger hunters.

What rifle platform does the instructor prefer for hunting and why?

The instructor personally favors the AR platform for hunting due to its extensive customization options. This allows for tailoring the rifle to individual needs, including stock adjustments and build specificity, which he finds superior to traditional bolt or lever-action platforms.

More Hunting & Outdoors Videos You Might Like

More from Tactical Advisor

View all →