Author Topic: What round for Varmint and Deer? (Read 2600 times)

DalesCarpentry · « **on:** November 13, 2007, 02:59:41 PM »

I have been thinking of a cross over Varmint Deer rifle for some time now. There are a lot of choices out there. I don't reload yet so for this poll I only listed calibers that have factory ammo offered. I know there are a lot more cross over rounds than I have listed. So if you would chose another round vote other and list the one that you prefer. Dale

The Gamemaster · « **Reply #1 on:** November 13, 2007, 03:27:48 PM »

If a man could only afford on gun, it would be a .270 or a 30 06

You can load up or down with either of these rounds and kill almost anything in North America.

30 06 held the accuracy records in the military for more than 50 years - until the .308 Winchester came on board.

All them other calibers are less than desirable for hunting big game in my book!

jasonprox700 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 13, 2007, 03:46:24 PM »

It is a close tie between the .260 and the .25-06. For the .260, you can get loads below 100 grain, and you can get bullets up over 140 grains that have a slight ballistic advantage over the 7mm-08. Unfortunately, I think it is more of a handloaders' round.

The .25-06 is also an excellent choice. There are a lot of factory loadings for this. It is fast, and flat shooting, with a wide variety of bullets.

I would not hesitate to use either on deer sized game.

K.K · « **Reply #3 on:** November 13, 2007, 04:21:29 PM »

My question is what class of varmints are we talking about? The odd groundhog in the clover patch? If so, then anything will work, and I have killed many (G-hogs and deer with the .270). If we are talking high-volume shooting at prarie dogs + deer sized game, I'd go a bit smaller, in the 243-260 range.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2007, 04:34:39 PM »

Mostly Groundhogs and maybe coyotes. Dale

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #5 on:** November 13, 2007, 05:05:12 PM »

My .257 Roberts, loaded to +P levels, is my favorite rifle. With 75g V-MAX it has taken coyotes (2) past 480 yards. For deer-sized game I load the 115g TSX and 120g A-Frame. Personally I prefer the .25's heavier bullets to the .243/6mm's. A .25-06 just offers a bit more velocity. I have long considered the .25-06 to be the best dual-purpose cartridge available.

Brithunter · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2007, 10:55:46 PM »

Is there any choice? but the 6.5x55 Swedish.

Bullets run from 77 grains to 160 grains with good accuracy mild recoil.

flintlock · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2007, 01:22:44 AM »

I only own one centerfire, with it I have killed over 150 deer, 6 black bear and numerous coyotes, groundhogs, crows and various other varmints...It's a .243.

Zachary · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2007, 03:51:46 AM »

The very first cartridge that comes to mind is the .25-06. The second cartridge that comes to mind is the .243.

Granted, both cartridges can effectively kill both deer and varmints (given reasonable shooting distances, bullet construction, and, most importantly, bullet placement.)

I think that it boils down to this - if you are going to be shooting more deer than varmints, then get the .25-06.

On the other hand, if you will be shooting more varmints than deer, then get the .243.

Zachary

PartsMan · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2007, 04:01:04 AM »

The 243 was designed as a crossover cartridge.
It has been the most successful at it.

Why are you second guessing your 243?
With a gun like yours you can shoot a deer in the heart. He's gonna die very soon.
I have seen many whitetails taken with a 243.
Besides there is no better coyote round.

Varment hunting is all year. Deer is just two weeks here.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2007, 04:12:48 AM »

I voted 25-06 , the 243 is good for sure and with in its range limit is a good choice .
but if you are where you are at the limit with the 243 the 25 is better be it range or bullet weight !
the trade is more kick and more powder but only a little of either !
So if you have to choose why not choose the one that does the most ? IMHO

dogwhisperer5 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 14, 2007, 05:00:10 AM »

Especially since you don't reload...the .243 would be my first choice.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #12 on:** November 14, 2007, 05:17:37 AM »

I am pretty surprised here with the poll so far. I thought the 260 would have got a lot more votes. Dale

skb2706 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 14, 2007, 05:25:16 AM »

I voted .260 but not all deer are created equal.

Sweet 6.5 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 14, 2007, 06:01:25 AM »

Must be the 6.5x55 and you don't have to use different bullets, Nosler even made a Varmit bullet that can be used
for deer, I think it is called........BT

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #15 on:** November 14, 2007, 06:14:56 AM »

I use only the 100 gr. BT in the 25-06 for everything

huntswithdogs · « **Reply #16 on:** November 14, 2007, 09:18:00 AM »

I was hard pressed between the 243 & 25/06. With the 25 ya get just that little more something that's needed sometimes. But not being a reloader hurts ya here. There are lots of offerings for the 25 but most stores don't carry more than one,generally the Rem 120 Corelokt. Mine didn't shot these worth a dang. You're more likely to find 243s just about everywhere.

HWD

ratgunner · « **Reply #17 on:** November 14, 2007, 12:23:27 PM »

Quote from: The Gamemaster on November 13, 2007, 03:27:48 PM

If a man could only afford on gun, it would be a .270 or a 30 06

You can load up or down with either of these rounds and kill almost anything in North America.

30 06 held the accuracy records in the military for more than 50 years - until the .308 Winchester came on board.

All them other calibers are less than desirable for hunting big game in my book!

+ 1

billy_56081 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 14, 2007, 03:38:59 PM »

I chose the .243 because it is one of the best coyote slayers out there. And it performs well on deer in my hands. Now if the question woulda been crossover for varmints, deer and elk I woulda chose the 6.5X55. That's the caliber I chose to make for my sons rifle.

Illhunter · « **Reply #19 on:** November 14, 2007, 04:18:59 PM »

I like the 30-06 or the 6.5x55

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #20 on:** November 15, 2007, 05:00:12 AM »

I added the 257 Roberts to the poll. If you like you can go back and change your vote. Dale

Qaz · « **Reply #21 on:** November 15, 2007, 08:52:16 AM »

Dale, why does that SPS Varmint look brown and shiny?

Qaz

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #22 on:** November 15, 2007, 09:13:29 AM »

I did a paint job on it. Dale

PartsMan · « **Reply #23 on:** November 16, 2007, 04:06:05 AM »

I just talked to my brother.
Gun season starts here tomorrow.
He is thinking of carrying his 243 instead of the 270.

rbergum95 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 18, 2007, 01:35:17 PM »

my vote goes for the .25-06. for what you mention as far as hunting it will handle both jobs very well. if you get into handloading you can load it fast and light with 75 grainers at 3700 fps+ or 120 grainers at 3000.

saltydog · « **Reply #25 on:** November 19, 2007, 02:48:35 AM »

The problem I see with the poll question is "deer" is not defined - are you refering to toy deer - aka Eastern US Whitetails. Or deer - mulies and Western whitetails ? If the fine 6.5 Swede is an option so should the ole '06 be included in the list.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #26 on:** November 19, 2007, 03:00:57 AM »

This would be Eastern Whitetail Deer. I don't consider the 30-06 a cross over for Varmint. There is no 30 caliber on that list for a reason. Dale

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #27 on:** November 19, 2007, 06:24:39 AM »

YOU SHOULD TRY 100 , 110 AND 125 for critters in a 3006 !
used one for years until i got the 2506 !

Brithunter · « **Reply #28 on:** November 19, 2007, 06:30:14 AM »

Hmmm "Toy Deer"? surely that's what you get from the Disney store!

   Deer in a particular species vary in size due to habitat and fodder and of course strain. Elf are Deer or rather Wapiti and are in fact a sub species of Red Deer and Red Deer are one of the most successful species of Deer being found in a lot of places on the Globe. The Red Deer in Scotland are smaller than those found in Devonshire on Dartmoor and those are often smaller than those found in Southern Europe.

   The smallest species of deer that I am aware of are the Mouse Deer of Asia which are often smaller than a domestic cat. The smallest Deer I am actually familar with is the Indian Muntjac which stands about 25" at the shoulder and weighs about 25-35lbs. Now if you were to try and grab hold of a live Muntjac Buck you would not refer to them as "Toy Deer" as chances are that you will heading to the hopsital to be stiched up after being slashed and sliced up by his Canine tusks. Now back to more normal sized deer and suitable bullets for them.

   I think that you will find that the majority of Scottish Red Deer including Stags are shot with a 100 grain bullet from a .243 Winchester chambered rifle. I doubt many use "Premium" bullets most will be factory. Federal being quite popular as is Sako, Norma and RWS. Stags in the rut are not the easiest to drop being all full of adrenalin. .243 is very popular here, one reason is perhaps that the Police steer those who want to stalk deer towards the .243 as it's the minimum legal calibre here in the UK for deer.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #29 on:** November 19, 2007, 05:36:23 PM »

30-06 cause if crossover is your game you can kill everything from opossums to brown bears with a 30-06 and everything in between. Contrary to popular belief a 150grn bullet fired from a 30-06 will in fact kill varmints

just as dead as a 22-250 will. A man with a good shooting 30-06 and .22 doesn't need any other rifles.

270 will also fit the bill but not as well on larger critters

Poll

What round would you choose for a cross over rifle for Varmint Predators and Deer?

Author Topic: What round for Varmint and Deer? (Read 2600 times)