Bullet Drop Chart: Six Deer Calibers, 100 to 500 Yards
One table, six deer calibers, one zero: how far a .30-06, .308, .300 Win Mag, 6.5 Creedmoor, .243 and .270 drop at 300, 400 and 500 yards, from Hornady’s own numbers.
deer hunting
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243 Ballistics Chart: 12 Factory Loads, 100 to 500 Yards
Drop, energy and wind drift for 12 .243 Winchester factory loads from 58 to 100 grains, on a 200-yard and a 100-yard zero, built on each maker’s own published numbers.
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Best Shooting Ear Protection: 9 Picks and the NRR Math
Nine shooting ear protection picks, from $6.99 foam plugs to Bluetooth earbuds, each run through NIOSH’s field derating, plus OSHA’s math for plugs under muffs, measured gun noise levels and why a suppressed rifle still needs plugs.
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Best Binoculars for Hunting: 8x or 10x, and What to Spend
What 8×42 and 10×42 actually mean, which one fits your deer hunt, eye relief for eyeglass wearers, and Vortex and Leupold binoculars from $184.99 to $2,599.99 with maker specs and warranties.
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Best Muzzleloader for Deer: Picks by Budget and State Rules
Muzzleloaders from $305.95 to long-range rigs, the federal law that makes most of them not a firearm, and the state season rules on powder, scopes, caliber and primers that decide what you can hunt with.
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Best Deer Rifle Caliber, and a Rifle for Every Budget
Pick the cartridge first, then the rifle. Nine deer cartridges compared by recoil and Federal box price, with Savage, Henry and Ruger rifles at every budget and maker prices checked October 4, 2026.
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How to Sight In a Rifle Scope and Pick the Right Zero
How to sight in a rifle scope: bore sight, group at 25 then 100 yards, and turn about 4 clicks per inch. Plus click math and the best zero for 5 deer loads.
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Beginner Deer Hunting Gear for 2026 Success
Stepping into deer hunting in 2026? The right beginner deer hunting gear is your ticket to a rewarding experience. Without proper equipment, you might face discomfort or missed shots. This guide covers essential gear—rifles, optics, clothing, ammo, and accessories—linking to trusted brands like Ruger and Vortex for confident shopping. Whether targeting whitetails or…
