There’s a lot of talk about “brush guns” and calibers that can supposedly plow through limbs and vines like they’re not there. But the truth is, most of the popular rounds you’ll find in deer camps aren’t built for that. Light, fast bullets lose energy quick when they clip twigs or thick grass. If you hunt in tight woods or heavy cover, knowing which calibers deflect the worst can save you from tracking a wounded deer all afternoon. These are the ones that struggle most when brush gets in the way.
.243 Winchester
The .243 Winchester has earned its spot in the deer woods for light recoil and solid accuracy, but it doesn’t do well through brush. The bullets are light—typically in the 55- to 100-grain range—and moving fast, which makes them easy to knock off course.
If a branch or even thick grass gets in the way, you can expect deflection and inconsistent penetration. It’s a great round in open lanes or fields, but it’s not the one to count on when you’re threading a shot through heavy timber or thickets.
.223 Remington
Plenty of hunters reach for a .223 because of its affordability, low recoil, and availability, but it’s not ideal in brush. The bullets are small and light, and they tumble or fragment fast when they hit even minor obstacles.
If you’re hunting tight woods or areas with overgrowth, a .223 is likely to get thrown off target or lose energy before reaching the vitals. It works fine for small game or predators in clearings, but for big game in brush, it’s a risk not worth taking.
6.5 Creedmoor
The 6.5 Creedmoor is everywhere these days—and for good reason. It’s accurate, flat-shooting, and excellent for long-range hunting. But that same sleek design that makes it great for distance makes it struggle in the brush.
The high-BC bullets are typically long and narrow. When they touch anything on the way in, they deflect more than you’d expect. If your hunting spot has a lot of cover or low-hanging limbs, the 6.5 Creedmoor might not be the best pick for threading shots.
.22-250 Remington
Fast and flat-shooting, the .22-250 is a favorite among varmint hunters, but it’s not built for punching through anything. It uses extremely light bullets—often under 60 grains—which means a twig or tall grass can throw your shot completely off.
If you’re hunting in an open field or prairie dog country, no problem. But in thick brush or timber, it’s a poor choice. You’ll lose accuracy and energy quickly, and there’s not much margin for error on game bigger than a coyote.
.270 Winchester
The .270 Winchester is a capable deer round, but it doesn’t have a great reputation for getting through brush. It shoots fast and flat, but like the 6.5 Creedmoor, that also means it’s more prone to deflection.
With most factory loads in the 130- to 150-grain range, the bullets are still narrow and moving fast. They’re great in the open, but if your shot has to sneak through heavy saplings or vines, the .270 isn’t forgiving.
.204 Ruger
The .204 Ruger is blistering fast and incredibly accurate in open space, but it’s arguably one of the worst performers in brush. The bullet is tiny—usually 32 to 45 grains—and has almost no ability to stay on track after hitting anything.
A single leaf or blade of thick grass can ruin a shot. It’s built for varmint shooting at distance, not for woods work or big game. If your target isn’t completely clear of cover, the .204’s not going to deliver a clean hit.
.30-06 Springfield (With Light Loads)
Now, the .30-06 itself is a versatile round, and with heavy bullets it can hold up better. But many hunters load it with 150-grain soft points for flatter trajectories. Those lighter loads don’t handle brush well.
When the bullet’s moving fast and built for expansion, it doesn’t take much to deflect or throw it off course. If you’re using a .30-06 in thick cover, it pays to go heavier—closer to 180 grains—so it holds its line better through brush.
7mm-08 Remington
The 7mm-08 is known for its accuracy and manageable recoil, which makes it a favorite for younger hunters or those in tight quarters. But it tends to use lighter, streamlined bullets, and that makes it vulnerable when brush is in the way.
Even a small twig can knock the bullet off trajectory. It performs better in clear shots, especially when precision matters. If you’re hunting in dense, tangled country, the 7mm-08 might give you more trouble than it’s worth.
.300 Blackout (Supersonic Loads)
The .300 Blackout in subsonic form has its place for quiet shooting, but when you’re running supersonic loads—especially in hunting setups—it behaves more like a .223 than anything else. Light bullets moving fast don’t stay on track through brush.
Most hunters using this round are running 110- to 125-grain bullets. Those fragment fast and can tumble if they hit anything on the way in. In heavy brush, those deflections matter, especially when you’re trying to make a quick, ethical kill.
.25-06 Remington
The .25-06 delivers high velocity and a flat trajectory, but that speed comes at a cost in the brush. The lighter, smaller diameter bullets tend to veer off-course when they hit anything mid-flight, especially at close to medium ranges.
It’s a great round in open country where you’ve got a clean lane to the target, but it doesn’t forgive much in the woods. The faster and lighter your bullet, the more a little cover becomes a big problem—and the .25-06 is no exception.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
