.243 v .270 v .308 for first deer handgun

[bjgunner]

I'm ordering my first Encore pistol frame and am having trouble deciding on a good caliber to use for deer.  I'm curious of peoples opinions on the above listed calibers are far as accuracy, recoil, and power are concerned for hunting animals up to the size of deer at ranges up to 100 - 150 yards.  I like that the .243 comes as small as 55gr for smaller game but not sure about only having 100gr for deer. The .270 looks like a decent pick between the .243 and .308 but i'm not sure how the recoil will be. I shoot plenty of big bore (45/70, 300 win mag) rifles but never pistols this size. Any thoughts?

[xphunter]

Without getting into inherent accuracy in cartridge design, any of the above are more than accurate enough (given equal barrel quality) for deer.
At the ranges you are considering the 243 Win is more than adequate.   If you put the appropiate 6mm, .277, or.308 bullet into the lungs of a deer that these cartridges can deliver you have a dead deer.
Any of these will work great, and you may consider the 260 Rem or the 7mm-08 which are also a part of the 308 Win. family of cartridges.
The 270 will have more recoil and more velocity, but I don't think you need it for what you are considering.
But if that is the one that suits you, have fun.
My main counsel is to practice, practice, practice with which ever one you get both from the bench and from field positions.

[SLAVAGE]

i have a 243 an 30-06 in what your talking about if you are second guessing the 243 cause of the lower weight in bullets go with a7mm-08 has the lower kick than a 270 or 308 but it being based of a 308 case just like the 243 u get a more punch haven a .284 bullet u can go up too a 160 ish bullet if needed for deer or low for say vermen an ground hogs an such...my next barrel will be a 7mm-08 just for that reasion
Dave

[bjgunner]

How bad is the kick on you 30-06 barrel?

[Redhawk1]

I had a 30-06 Encore pistol barrel and I did not think the recoil was that bad, but it is very noticeable. I like the idea of the 7mm08. Light recoil and plenty of power for you.

[huntnut]

I like the 270win I had one in 15" barrel that I'm trying to get back. For Me its the best all around calibur, it can be loaded with 90hp for coyotes and loaded up to 140gr for deer and or elk. I loaded 130 gr for deer, never shot one with it but its the best bullet for deer good range and knock down power. My next chose of your picks would be .308 great bullet choices goor knock down power, but not as flat shooting as the 270. As for the recoil its not bad, its bark is alot worse then the bite. After shooting my 45-70 15" I think it well be like shooting a 223 lol

[SLAVAGE]

How bad is the kick on you 30-06 barrel?

sorry i cant give you a answer on that...i never fired it yet..its still siten in the box on the shelf...not sure what to do with it
i got it for pa deer  but then two days later got a 30-30 for my contender an a 450 marlin for the encore...so the 450 wears the 06 frame...an sence im taken the walk of death this year shes geten a ring an im geten a 460 wounder whos geten the beter of the deal here huh

i paid 220 for it its blue 15 incher... interested in it?

Dave

[poncaguy]

I have a 15" 7-08 Encore that has taken several deer, about the perfect round  I think. 308 would be my next choice in a 15" barrel. Recoil isn't bad and it's very accurate.

[Heavy C]

I posed a similar question not too long ago.  It was up between the 7-08 and the 308.  I decided to go with the 308 for the variety of ammo, relatively cheap, and easy to find.  Also since it has been around so long there is more than enough reloading information to work up loads that will do just about anything you need - provided you do your part.  As far as recoil goes, it was not as bad as I expected.  With 150 gr bullets it was very close to a stout 44 mag.  You'll get a lot of good perspectives from everyone here.  There's a lot of knowledge and plenty of experience to boot.

At the end of the day, practicing will help you achieve the results you're looking for; regardless of the caliber you choose.

[SD Handgunner]

I only have experience with ONE of the Cartridges you are talking about in a Handgun. That is the .243 Winchester. I guess I wouldn't worry too much about 100gr. Bullets being the heaviest weight typically available in factory ammo.

January 1st I used a 15" .243 Encore to harvest 2 South Dakota Whitetails. The closest was 200 yards and it was a one shot kill. I messed up on the second one and my shot was too far back in the paunch (my fault not the gun nor the cartridge). However even though I messed up the shot the Deer never did run, but rather walked about 100 yards before stopping at which time I put a second shot behind the shoulder. In both instances I used a Handloaded 80gr. Speer Hot Core Spitzer to a muzzle velocity of 2920 FPS. In both instances the bullets that went through the chest exited the chest cavity.

While I have not tested them yet Federal loads the 80gr. Speer Hot Core Spitzer Bullet in their Power Shok .243 Ammo. I am hopefully going to be testing this factory ammo in the not to distant future.

Of the 3 cartridges you listed and the range you listed I don't think there is a bad choice. However one thing I have learned over the years is Rifle Bullets typically react differently when fired at the reduced velocities possible out of Speciality Pistols than they do when fired from Rifles at the velocities possible from rifle barrels. Over the past 24 years I have had bullets designed for Rifle Velocities that zipped right through the chest of a Whitetail without expanding when fired at reduced velocity from a Speciality Pistol.

In my opinion if Varmints are also on the menu for this Cartridge / Barrel I think my choice would be the .243 Winchester.

Larry

[buffalohunter]

I aint gonna get to long winded here, but my recommendation would be a .308 Winchester, it is a good all around caliber.I have a 17 in bull barrel encore and I am very pleased with it. It is very accurate and does not have alot of recoil. This is just my 2 cents worth.

Good Shootin

[Selmer]

If you do not reload, disregard this remark, but have you looked at the 7mm BR?  I had one in an XP-100 about ten years ago, GREAT caliber.  Low recoil and served as plenty of punch for mule deer out to 200 yds. with the 140 gr. Nosler BT.
My $.05
Selmer