Author Topic: Best caliber for both big bore silhouette and deer hunting  (Read 3396 times)

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Offline gunr7tcu

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Best caliber for both big bore silhouette and deer hunting
« on: December 20, 2004, 05:11:11 PM »
I have just started shooting big bore silhouette and am currently using an Encore pistol in 7TCU in the unlimited class.  I want to buy a barrel in a caliber that I can shoot in the UAS class and also use to deer hunt.  I have read of using the 7TCU to hunt deer but it seems a bit marginal to me.

I have looked at a number of calibers including 7BR, 7xi30 Waters,  6.5xi55, 7mm-08, 30-30 and 308.  The 7mm-08 and the 308 seem to me to be a bit heavy for a full 80 round big bore match.  I have read where the 7mm-08 has been used considerably in big bore but by the books, it seems to have considerable recoil for a typical match.  

I belive that perhaps my best choice for this dual duty caliber would be either the 7BR or the 6.5x55.  The 7BR doesn't seem to generate a lot more punch than the 7TCU but I have no first hand experience with the 7BR.

I would appreciate any and all comments and suggestions about which caliber might best serve my desire for a dual purpose caliber.

Thank you.

Offline Nobade

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Best caliber for both big bore silhouette a
« Reply #1 on: December 20, 2004, 05:45:11 PM »
Any of the calibers you mentioned ought to work just fine. As for the 7 TCU being too light for deer, I'd have to disagree. I was shooting 120s at 2100 fps yesterday out of my 14 inch Contender; if that doesn't kill a deer it's not the gun's fault. However, as you surmised, the 7mm-08 and 308 should be loaded down 'cause they really are overkill for 200M matches. Heck, you don't have to run them at full throttle for 500M matches either. The 7 BR will work very well, and the 6.5 BR probably even a little better. And don't forget the 260 rem and 6.5 Grendel just to make things interesting! I guess what I'm saying is pick something you like, practice with it a lot, and be confident to use it on the range or in the field.
"Give me a lever long enough, and a place to stand, and I'll break the lever."

Offline Donna

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Best caliber for both big bore silhouette a
« Reply #2 on: December 20, 2004, 06:35:28 PM »
I second the 260 Rem.

Donna
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20

Offline 19 Turkeys

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Best caliber for both big bore silhouette a
« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2004, 04:53:55 AM »
You really don't have to buy a new barrel (but any excuse to do so is acceptable here).   :P If you decide to use the 7 TC/U, use the Sierra 7mm pistol bullet.  Otherwise, you'll get no expansion and end up chasing a deer with a tiny hole through it all over the place.

Since you are using an Encore, you might consider one of the better deer chamberings, the 257 Roberts.  A friend of mine has an Encore in that chambering, and it whacks rams just fine, the recoil is low, and accuracy is beyond reproach.

Best of luck with your decision and Merry Christmas.

Steve Ware

Offline Arizona Jake

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Best caliber for both big bore silhouette a
« Reply #4 on: December 23, 2004, 11:07:43 AM »
I have a TC Encore in 7mm BR and, although I also acquired another barrel in .454 Casull, I would keep the 7mm BR Barrel for dual use. :wink:
Joaquin B.:cb2:

Offline gunr7tcu

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Thanks for the responses!
« Reply #5 on: December 23, 2004, 02:13:12 PM »
I want to thank each of you for your responses to my questions.  This site is a great tool for getting answers to your questions from people with experience.  Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you.

Offline 5 handi's +

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Best caliber for both big bore silhouette a
« Reply #6 on: December 26, 2004, 04:12:55 PM »
gunr7 ,
    dont rule out the 7-08 .
  I run mine at 2100 with 120 with either sr4759 or H4895 . It is pleasent
to shoot and takes rams with ease. sighted in at 2" high at 100 it will be 2.5 low at 200 . easy hits at long range.
  On the other side of the coin with a good load of rl 15 2500 + can be achieved using 140 bt  with this load sighted 3" high at 100 you are dead on at 200 and about 4" low at 300 making point blank range to @ 350 yards on dear and prong horn.
  Load with a good bullet like a Grand slam or partition in 150 grain weight  and take on a close range elk  
  What more could you ask for in a multi purpose chambering.
Sure ther are other chamberings that do specific tasks better. But the versitility of this cartrige to do many things maks it a one gun competior
hunters dream come true.
  you could posibly have your barrel reamed to 7-08 or 7 international
                                                                       Johnnie

Offline Sixgun

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Best caliber for both big bore silhouette a
« Reply #7 on: December 27, 2004, 05:20:07 AM »
During the depression, my dad kept venison on the table for his widowed mother, with a single shot 22 rifle.  Many times they couldn't afford to buy long rifles so they made due with shorts and longs.  He just got close and shot them in the head.  These were mule deer, not those easy to kill whitetails.  

That being said, any legal hunting round that you can consistently score in the high 30s with at silhouette,  should be a good hunting round.  Do I do it?  I haven't because I own a 30-30 barrel and a 357 max barrel and with them I don't have to go for a head shot, but if I didn't have those two barrels, I would use the 22 hornet barrel that I use for Hunters Pistol.  From a rest, which I always use when deer hunting, I could be confident of a head shot out to 100 meters.  A 22 hornet is legal in Idaho, by the way.

I know a guy out in Parma that elk hunts with a 22/250.  He gets a big bull each year with it.  His method is to set up on a high outcropping and glass.  He tries to shoot at least 400 yards but prefers 600 yards.  He places his shot just behind the shoulder.  He is so far away that the bull doesn't know it is hit.  It just flinches and keeps on grazing.  A few minutes after the shot, mister elk would go down.  I don't try this, I use a 338 win mag for my elk.

Sixgun
You can only hit the target if the barrel is pointed in the right direction when the bullet leaves the barrel.