Author Topic: Coyote/Whitetail Caliber (Read 1179 times)

jaybird · « **on:** April 05, 2004, 04:30:03 PM »

I'm new here, but I've been reading posts on this forum for some time. Lots of good info here. Maybe you can help me out. My wife told me I could get a new rifle-but I can't make up my mind (what a dilemma). I want something large enough for my son to use as a starter rifle for whitetail hunting; in the meantime, I would like to be able to use it for coyote hunting. I have been leaning towards a tikka t3 in 25-06. Any suggestions?

savageT · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2004, 04:44:48 PM »

jaybird,
I believe there are two excellent calibers that I hear allot of good things about: the 1st is 7mm-08 (based on the .308 short action) which Graybeard is very partial to and the other is Swedish 6.5x55mm. Now depending on brand, you can eliminate the 6.5x55mm for most U.S. manufacturers. I just love the sweet nudge the Swedish 6.5 gives your shoulder when you squeeze off a shot instead of that thump from my 30-06. It would be great for a young shooter starting out as well.

Zachary · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2004, 06:49:15 PM »

The ideal varmint/big game cartridge is the .25-06. It truly is a dual purpose cartridge.

The reason that you may want to stay clear of larger calibers is because it can cause pelt damage to coyotes (if you care about that).

On the other hand, a .25-06 is just fine for whitetail deer if you use premium bullets and shoot at reasonable ranges.

Some other people will tell you to get a .243. However, while it's a better choice for coyotes, it tends to be too light for deer.

Zachary

Val · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2004, 04:03:32 AM »

Good range of bullet weights from 120 grains for the whitetail down to 35 grain for smaller varmints.

huntsman · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 2004, 10:11:13 AM »

Nothing wrong with the 25-06 for either coyotes or whitetails. There are probably a dozen other calibers that would also fit the bill nicely. You are buying a brand new rifle and want it to be suitable for a beginning youth (I assume) hunter.

A couple of questions:

1) Do you handload or plan to for this rifle? If so, there are choices I would consider better overall than the .25-06. If you are going to shoot factory ammo exclusively, then you are going to be hard-pressed to flat-out beat the 25-06 for both uses. If you handload, the 6.5x55, .270, and 7mms (several) offer a much better range of bullet choices in the deer-sized bullets (125gr +).

2) How recoil-conscious is your son going to be? If this might be a problem area, I would choose one of the lighter-recoil calibers like the .257 Roberts, 6.5x55, or 7mm-08. They would certainly get the job done, but without the heavier kick and blast of the @2,900+ feet per second calibers.

I would second Zachary's opinion that the .243 is a little too light to be recommended for deer. It can be a very good deer killer in the hands of a good marksman inside 250 yards, but it leaves a lot less room for error on either bullet performance or shooter accuracy than many of the other choices. It sits on the very low end of the deer spectrum in my opinion.

Lawdog · « **Reply #5 on:** April 06, 2004, 10:24:02 AM »

The .25-06 is your best choice. Power to spare for any varmint hunting going and more then enough power for any deer hunting you will ever want to do. The only problem I see is how are you going to get it back from your son after he starts using it? Lawdog

MSP Ret · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2004, 10:50:45 AM »

I suggest the 7mm-08. Those .284 bullets do the job and do it with very little perceived recoil. There are many different laods and bullet weights to choose from, and if you do start to reload, even with a $18.00 Lee Loader the choice of bullets weights and loads are staggering....<><.... :grin:

jaybird · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 2004, 11:17:45 AM »

Thanks for all the replies. I don't reload at this point, but after reading many posts here, it seems like the perfect hobby for me. I spend a lot of time shooting, and I love my rifles. There is a lot I need to learn, but I'm not sure where to start.

smoky · « **Reply #8 on:** April 06, 2004, 11:27:38 AM »

I am a tremendous 7-08 fan, but I am surprised no one mentioned the .260 remington. Same 6.5 mm bullet as the 06' and Swede, but offers the ability to go with a short handy rifle for the young shooter. And with hand loading, should produce devastating coyote medicene and still be pleasant to shoot for the young un'.

Smoky

wpayne · « **Reply #9 on:** April 06, 2004, 01:20:54 PM »

Another vote here for the 25-06. Not enough coyotes to hunt here (yet) but it is quick death for deer. Other calibers I would consider are the 257 Roberts, 260 Rem, and the 7mm-08. The 6.5 Swede doesn't have enough factory ammo available around here to suit me, though it seems to be another excellent choice. You couldn't go wrong with any of the above IMO.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #10 on:** April 06, 2004, 03:24:11 PM »

jaybird -

The .25-06 is an excellent choice, especially since you don't reload. 75g bullets for varmints, 120g for deer. The 7mm-08 is another great choice.

Another good choice is a .257 Roberts using +P loads, and you can get it in a more compact rifle than the .25-06. Then there are the excellent 6.5mm's...

rickt300 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 07, 2004, 04:34:13 PM »

For deer and coyote hunting and looking at all factors the 243/6MM cartridges can't be beat. They are quick killers of deer at ranges to 300 yards and more than enough for coyotes with little recoil and far better factory load availability. This attitude that the 6MM's are not good enough for deer is pure bunk and it is hard to believe that so many act like it's not.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 07, 2004, 06:56:18 PM »

The 243/6mm in a great deer round. It has a reputation for killing like a lightning bolt.. It doesn't have the authority to handle longer shots but kids shouldn't take those shots anyway!! Under 200 yards with proper supervision there are no problems. The light recoil allows for more practice and better hits. It is not the best cartridge for whitetail but is very friendly and for a kid that's a good thing. The 6.5 Swede is a very close second. It's a mild cartridge that is accurate, easy to shoot well and amazingly leathal.. I load 125 Partitions and have not seen a deer walk away yet. Just bought a M70 Clasic Featherweight for the Swede.. Good bullets, accuracy and light recoil, what more could you want.. Remember all the power in the world don't do much good if it's not in the right place!!

AZ Dan · « **Reply #13 on:** April 07, 2004, 06:57:38 PM »

Here are some good choices, 243,257 roberts,25-06,260,6.5 x 55, 270, 7-08. I hope that simplifies everything.

Seriously, if you feel comfortable with the 243 for deer than go for it. If not then I think the best choice is the 7mm-08 although I think it would be more fun to go after coyotes with the 25-06 and 75 gr V-max bullets.

I had it narrowed down to the 260 in model 7 and 25-06 in the 700 mt rifle. The 25-06 was discontinued so that made my choice easy.

Good luck. Dan.

MGMorden · « **Reply #14 on:** April 07, 2004, 07:35:07 PM »

6.5x55 is an excellent choice. There's not a lot of factory loadings, but there's enough so that if you want to go hunting with the rifle (and not target shoot a lot), then you won't have any trouble getting bullets for it. I just started reloading, but just to get brass to start with I mail order my stuff (cheaper even after shipping than the only price-gouging gunshop around here) and from places like Midway and CTD there's no shortage of quality 6.5x55 ammo.

As to recoil from the round, it's VERY gentle to shoot. Lighter kick than a .30-30. I've not used mine on deer yet (didn't get the rifle until after the season went out. I'll have results for that around August :-D), but from what I've heard it should do great. .30-06 I can vouche for on deer killing ability but for a young shooter the recoil can be a little tough.

The .260 Remington duplicates the performance of the 6.5x55, so if you can find more ammo in your locale for that then it should perform almost identically. Another great choice (from my readings, not experience) would be .257 Roberts.

flintlock · « **Reply #15 on:** April 08, 2004, 03:40:56 AM »

.243...I've been using since 1980...killed at least 125 deer with...never lost a one...What more could a man ask for in a deer rifle???

RaySendero · « **Reply #16 on:** April 08, 2004, 04:30:05 PM »

270 Winchester :mrgreen:

longwinters · « **Reply #17 on:** April 08, 2004, 04:44:34 PM »

Jaybird, from one Michigander to another I would recommend the 7m-08 if you can find one. It seems to be the up and coming caliber and I think it is really the perfect caliber for Michigan hunting.

long

gdolby · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2004, 07:42:38 PM »

.243, had mine killed every deer shot with 1 round at ranges from 25 yards up to 376. killed more coyotes than I can remmeber the number w/ no significant damage to hides. light recoil and not much carrying weight. My wife used mine 3 yrs ago on her first deer hunt andd havnt got it back yet

jaybird · « **Reply #19 on:** April 09, 2004, 02:06:45 PM »

I am intrigued by the 7mm-08, and it looks like a great whitetail caliber. Maybe a bit large for coyotes, but I am a beginner and am not worried about pelts at this point in time (we have so many of the darn things around here, and I thought coyote hunting would give me a good excuse for some extra hunting). I like the fact that the 7mm-08 comes in short action rifles (lighter and more accurate), which would rule out the tikka t3. I can't afford a Sako, but would like something that offers similar accuracy. What is the best 7mm-08 rifle for my needs? (I like the savage for its trigger, but have heard varying reports about quality)

Longwinters-
I see you live in the Central UP-probably not too far from where I am (Munising area). Can you recommend a range in my area?

MGMorden · « **Reply #20 on:** April 09, 2004, 02:48:04 PM »

Quote from: jaybird

I like the savage for its trigger, but have heard varying reports about quality

Savage makes a top notch rifle. I've got a Savage 110 .30-06 that (straight out of the box) will hold at LEAST 1" groups with everything I try except for Federal Power-Shoks (don't know the deal with those. group opened up to 6-7"). Igman, Sellier & Bellot, Remington, Winchester; all of it is MOA or better. The wood on the stock isn't the purtiest thing you've ever saw (no mentionable grain pattern), but functionality wise it's perfect. I like the tang-safety better than most other forms I've seen too. Now as I downside the trigger-guard and magazine follower are plastic, but that's not seemed to affect it in any way. I seriously doubt you'd be dissapointed with the Savage.

BIG JAKE · « **Reply #21 on:** April 10, 2004, 04:22:37 AM »

The 243, 257 Roberts, 25-06, 7mm-08, 6.5x55, 260 Rem, 6mm Rem are all great for what you want. I've hunted with men that have used them all but the 260 and 6.5x55. One guy I've hunted for 20 years had used a 257 since he was a teenager and has taken numerous deer with it and had nothing but praise for it. He has gone with a 243 now because he couldn't get a Rem model 7 in 257. He now has nothing but praise for the 243. I've personally seen the 243 kill deer and it's amazing how quick. Everyone says that it's marginal that don't have one, I think otherwise. It's easy to shoot, shoots flat and you can get ammo anywhere and it's cheap. I'll take the 243.

lilabner · « **Reply #22 on:** April 10, 2004, 04:25:52 AM »

I would vote 25-06 because I think it is the ultimate deer/varmint round, but it depends on your son's recoil tolerance. Some kids aren't bothered by a loud noise and a little shoulder push ( with its light bullet weights, the 25-06 isn't really a heavy kicker) but some are. A well placed .243 kills deer better than a 25-06 fired by someone who is flinching and shutting his eyes. Maybe you could check your son out on this before making the jump.