Illinois deer hunting is restricted to shotgun or black powder. I prefer 1ounce slugs and don't worry about it. Only had two deer get back up never to be seen again. I suspect I hit them in the shoulder. I did harvest one deer with a slug in it's shoulder.
As for a rifle Cal. Any mentioned will work. I always wanted a .270 for deer. Bigger calipers come with bigger recoil.
I know, 12 gauge 1 ounce slugs have a hell of a kick. I usually go with 2 3/4" shells instead of 3" or 3 1/2". 3 1/2" 1 ounce 12 gauge will rock your world, and can make you trigger shy.
Get a caliper your comfortable shooting all day. It won't make you trigger shy and anticipate the recoil. When you anticipate the recoil you push the gun off target and miss. The hard part, most men want to be manly and get the big calipers. I have more respect for shoot placement then caliper. I hunt with guys that go through a box of shells every day and come back empty handed. I'm more of the one shot one kill type. A box of five shells will last 5 years if I only get one permit per year.
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