Here are five low recoil cartridges that are effective deer hunting rounds that will fill the freezer without breaking your shoulder. Though there are scores of cartridges that can fall into the low recoil class for deer hunting, these five rounds are popular cartridges that can be found in a variety of hunting rifles. All five of these cartridges are currently offered in one of the number of H&R Handi-Rifle as well. The inexpensive Handi-Rifle is a great rifle for kids and beginners as well as any hunter who appreciates value and simplicity.
The old 30-30 Winchester has probably taken more deer over the years than any other cartridge. There are millions of Winchester Model 94’s and Marlin Model 336’s chambered for the light kicking 30-30 Winchester that prove this rounds effectiveness and popularity. Though shots with the 30-30 Winchester need to be kept to about 150 to 200 yards, most hunting shots are taken at this range or closer anyway.
The .243 Winchester is another ideal deer hunting rifle that offers very little recoil. The .243 Winchester is a real 300 yard deer hunting caliber that offers little recoil in an effective package. The far less popular 6mm Remington (aka .244 Remington) is a virtually identical cartridge.
The 7mm-08 Remington is another deer hunting round that is easy on the shoulder. The 7mm-08 carries over 1000 foot pounds of energy out to 500 yards which is farther than most hunters can accurately shoot. The 7mm-08 is based upon the popular and efficient .308 Winchester that is also a relatively light recoiling cartridge.
The .357 Magnum is a light kicker in a rifle, in fact recoil is almost non-existent. Both lever actions and single shot rifles have been chambered for the .357 Magnum. In a rifle, the .357 Magnum is about a 100 yard deer hunting gun as the longer rifle barrel extends the effectiveness over what you can get out of a revolver. A .357 Magnum hunting rifle allows the use of inexpensive .38 Special ammo for practice.
The .44 Magnum is another great low recoil deer hunting round in a rifle. Though there will be recoil in a .44 Magnum, it is much less than many other rounds. The .44 Magnum is a rifle length barrel is about a 150 yard or so rifle.
The 30-30 Winchester, .243 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington, .357 Magnum, and .44 Magnum are all efficient deer hunting cartridges that are readily available. In addition to low recoil these are also great rounds for meat hunters who find that many traditional deer hunting rounds tear up a lot of meat.