What is a deer rifle?

Answer 1

Any centerfire rifle suitable for huning deer may be considered a deer rifle. In this context, deer usually refers to either muledeer or whitetail deer. In the US, different states place different limits on the size and type of rifle that may be used to hunt deer. Because of their long range, rifles may be prohibited in densely populated areas, and deer hunting restricted to shotguns (or even bow and arrow in urban areas). Where rifles are permitted, calibers from 24 to 30 caliber (6 mm to 7.62 mm) are generally considered appropriate, although larger or smaller classes of rifles are commonly used, where permitted. Since the US Military adopted the 5.56 mm (.223) round, that cartrodge has become very popular and often used on deer even though many experts consider it to be marginal.