Author Topic: long range, low recoil, deer caliber? (Read 5318 times)

troy_mclure · « **on:** May 13, 2009, 05:17:36 AM »

im thinking of picking up a bbl for deer. range will be 300m+. id prefer it to be light on the recoil side. and not a milsurp caliber, if possible, due to the current shortage.

what would you guys reccomend.

charles p · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2009, 06:42:23 AM »

7-30 Waters will reach to 200 yds for certain.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #2 on:** May 13, 2009, 06:52:31 AM »

.270 WSM

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #3 on:** May 13, 2009, 06:56:11 AM »

What do you consider to be heavy recoil? The first to come to mind is the .270 win. Then the 7mm-08, and the last although a military round, it is an older one and you can find hunting rounds for it 6.5mm x55 swedish. These are all pretty light, non magnum rounds. Depending on how much over the 300m you plan to shoot you may need to get into some of the magnum rounds. There are several that will do the job. I am sure other will chime in. I have not shot one but would thing the .300 mag would be very heavy recoil in a TC but would give you a great flat shooting round and more than enough power at long range.

The .270 win is my pick. But you will get a lot of responses. If mule deer are in order, I would still use my 270 but if was buying a barrel the .300 win mag would be great on long range mule deer. If it is the small whitetail deer only you can probably go with a lighter round.

Do you plan on doing most of your shooting at that range or is it a just in case kinda thing?

TribReady · « **Reply #4 on:** May 13, 2009, 07:01:24 AM »

My initial first thought: .243 Win, then 7mm-08

southernutah · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2009, 07:09:05 AM »

I use a 243 and 308, same except bullet diameter. either works well for me. 308 was military but is one of the most popular and lost of possibilities for bullet choises from 100 grain up to 220grain.

quarterkill · « **Reply #6 on:** May 13, 2009, 07:22:34 AM »

25 06 by far. I have owned most of the short mags and the return on investment is very minimal in relation to the standard cals and other mags. I think the 300 win mag is the best of the mississippi magnums for deer etc. I have used many 270, 06's, 243's,308, 7-08,and many others but by far the 25 06 is my choice for an all round caliber. I use the 120 gr PSP winchester load in mine and have shot many crows, coyote, deer, ground hogs and targets. This caliber in my Encore will shoot a small 3 shot hole at 100 yards and it opens up very little at 200. This is the most accurate gun I own and one of the most accurate I have ever shot! Very huge amount of killing power and very little recoil. I have found by shooting other 25's that they can be picky about their ammo, but, if you find one that shoots you will have a jewel.

shootinpreacher48 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 13, 2009, 09:31:53 AM »

i would have to agree with the 243, 7mm-08, the 25-06 is a great caliber for that range the only problem is ammo cost 25-06 is double what a 243 is. even depending on where you are located a 22-250 would be a great caliber to go with on deer, coyote, Badger, or Prarie dog. and then again the 30-06 becuase you can load it soft with small lead or big with big lead.

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2009, 09:39:09 AM »

What do you consider low recoil? To some, .30-30 is too much. Also, why not a milsurp caliber? If you are hunting, you will not be shooting enough to where ammo nonavailability is a problem. In fact, I bet you will always be able to find .30-06 and .308 even when sporting calibers are in short supply. Also, these calibers will always be made, and I don't know if you can say that about more "modern" calibers such as the WSM's. Of course, reloading will take care of that.

addicted · « **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2009, 09:44:23 AM »

I think the calibers you should be thinking about are the 25-06, 270 win, 7mm-08 and the 280.

The .243 Win has a great BC if you reload your bullets, so that might be an alternative to the above mentioned calibers.

You start to lose a lot of energy with the smaller bullets and also increased wind drift if you are seriously looking to harvest one at 300+.

Practice, practice, practice.

Good luck with your decision.

troy_mclure · « **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2009, 02:17:59 PM »

im considering my 7mm mag heavy recoil.

id like to stay away from "current" milsurp stuff because it is impossible to find right now. i can find tons of "hunting" ammo.

300m is the average range i would be shooting.

wreckhog · « **Reply #11 on:** May 13, 2009, 02:44:08 PM »

The shelves are loaded with 30-06. Even managed recoil rounds.

Encore28 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 13, 2009, 03:32:55 PM »

257 Roberts

addicted · « **Reply #13 on:** May 14, 2009, 03:43:26 AM »

Well if 300 is going to be your average shot distance on deer than you need more energy behind it. That being said I would get either a 7mm-08, 270 or a 280. Low recoil, but flat enough and hard hitting enough to anchor any deer.

burntmuch · « **Reply #14 on:** May 14, 2009, 12:05:42 PM »

Im glad to see lots of pics for the 7mm-08. I just bought a sweet little rem model 7 7mm-08.

Varmint Hunter · « **Reply #15 on:** May 14, 2009, 02:19:46 PM »

260 Rem w/8" twist

pozoutdoors · « **Reply #16 on:** May 14, 2009, 05:22:16 PM »

.25-06 all the way!! They are accurate and the recoil is very light!!! I have killed several deer WAY out there!!! It is amazing just how easy they are to shoot!!!! There are several other calibers I shoot too, but this one is my favorite!!!!

securitysix · « **Reply #17 on:** May 14, 2009, 11:08:56 PM »

Are you shooting this round from a Contender/G2 or an Encore?

From an Encore, all of the rounds listed will work. From a Contender/G2, you'll be limited somewhat. 7-30 Waters would be a valid choice. 6.8 SPC might do, not sure what kind of down range capability it has.

gofish · « **Reply #18 on:** May 15, 2009, 01:17:59 AM »

.257 Roberts +1

Grumulkin · « **Reply #19 on:** May 15, 2009, 01:21:05 AM »

For really low recoil go 22-250.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 15, 2009, 08:15:05 AM »

Or the 22-250's Daddy...the 250/3000, better known as the 250 Savage. A great mild mannered good shootin' deer rifle.

Idaho_Elk_Huntr · « **Reply #21 on:** May 15, 2009, 03:48:05 PM »

Quote from: troy_mclure on May 13, 2009, 05:17:36 AM

im thinking of picking up a bbl for deer. range will be 300m+. id prefer it to be light on the recoil side. and not a milsurp caliber, if possible, due to the current shortage.

what would you guys reccomend.

Is this for your wife or daughter?? my wife shoots a 7mm-08 and my daughter shoots a 280. Both are dealy accurate with them.

Swampman · « **Reply #22 on:** May 15, 2009, 04:57:18 PM »

.243 Winchester in a Remington 700 CDL.

nomosendero · « **Reply #23 on:** May 15, 2009, 05:55:21 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on May 15, 2009, 04:57:18 PM

.243 Winchester in a Remington 700 CDL.

He said he was going to pick up a barrel, I assume he means for a TC

nomosendero · « **Reply #24 on:** May 15, 2009, 06:07:07 PM »

Quote from: troy_mclure on May 13, 2009, 02:17:59 PM

im considering my 7mm mag heavy recoil.

id like to stay away from "current" milsurp stuff because it is impossible to find right now. i can find tons of "hunting" ammo.

300m is the average range i would be shooting.

OK, so if 7mm Mag is heavy recoil for you, then no need to talk about it or ANY bigger round & if the 7 is heavy for you, then I would pull back from the 270WSM also, though somewhat lighter recoil.

You still have 7-08 & 260 in the short action. Also remember the great 6.5x55. To me I would look at the 270
& 25-06. I have used both of those with success for Deer/Antelope at 400 plus yards. With the best loads the 25-06 is easily up to the task since you are looking at less than 500yds.

kudzu · « **Reply #25 on:** May 16, 2009, 08:11:05 AM »

25-06 or the ol 6mm rem

If you did want to step it up a notch, since the 270wsm(a great round) is "not availible" in the tc , then my next choice (which it really is my next cal for my PH) would be the almost identical 6.5 rem mag.

Tn Jim · « **Reply #26 on:** May 31, 2009, 06:46:38 AM »

7-08. I love that barrel for my Encore.

southernutah · « **Reply #27 on:** May 31, 2009, 01:54:28 PM »

I have 7mm08 listed in classified, if you reload for your 7mm mag the bullets might work for both.
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,174694.0.html

saltydog · « **Reply #28 on:** May 31, 2009, 03:20:51 PM »

What size deer - small ones as in TX - 223 or 22-250. I think a 308 WIN would also give you versatility - don't know what you are talking about regarding a lack of milsurp ammo - You can not hunt with mil surp so you would have to buy 223 or 308 and boxes of hunting cartridges are on the shelf in every store I frequent at reasonable prices considering what other ammo is priced at.

troy_mclure · « **Reply #29 on:** June 01, 2009, 05:29:20 PM »

i am only just recently seeing ANY .308, its been as hard to come by as .380.