Author Topic: most versatile caliber (Read 2458 times)

jimneye · « **on:** December 11, 2010, 02:47:36 AM »

For someone who reloads what would be the most versatile caliber from coyotes (fur friendly) to deer (250yd shots)? I'm thinking the 243 but handi accuracy is in question for the longer shots. What say ye?

Singlepopper · « **Reply #1 on:** December 11, 2010, 02:54:02 AM »

Could you actually get a consensus on this? Even though you can lay down some science on it, it's like asking which is the best beer or motor oil. Or Chevy vs Ford. I'm not sure I know enough to answer but in near ignorance, I'd vote .243 or .30-30. I'm beginning to wish I had something other than .223 and an M serial number.

bikerbeans · « **Reply #2 on:** December 11, 2010, 03:05:41 AM »

Singlepopper,

I doubt you get a straight answer on this one as almost no one here has only 1 Handi. I suggest you get 2 Handis and then spend a few years collecting data as too which rifle works best for you.

BB

jimneye · « **Reply #3 on:** December 11, 2010, 03:26:20 AM »

Which two would you suggest? Thats what I like about this site , a lot of good opinions and civil discussions ,one sword sharpens the other kind of thing. Trying to expand my knowledge.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2010, 03:28:35 AM »

Coyotes to Deer at 250yards isn't much of a stretch for nearly a dozen different handi calibers.

The 243 is but one of them.

But in a related comment, its near impossible to find fault with a man that handloads and chooses a 30'06 for his one do it all gun.

CW

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2010, 03:30:47 AM »

If you hadn't thrown in the fur friendly part on the coyote I'd have said 45-70. I use it on rabbits all the way to bear and could probably take it clear up to elephant if I really wanted to. But at any kind of range my coyote load would have to be 400 gr loads and there wouldn't be much coyote left. I don't have one myself but I think a 25-06 might work for what you're after. My 30-30 handi is deer capable at 250, but again I think a 168 gr load out of it would obliterate a coyote.

ironglow · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2010, 03:32:47 AM »

The .243 is about as close as you can get ! (IMO)

Shu · « **Reply #7 on:** December 11, 2010, 04:15:04 AM »

There is but one caliber in the handi... it is the 45-70. Because we all know only 45 70 owners can get into heaven

It would be very hard to beat a 30-06 for an all around if you were limited to just one gun.

If you are a realoader then the 30-30 would suffice. 130 grain bullets for varmints and small dear, anything bigger go with 150 - 170 grain bullets

jimneye · « **Reply #8 on:** December 11, 2010, 04:29:13 AM »

Ive been reloading less than a year. My workings have been with .40 and 223. I just assumed that the 30 06 would not be a fur friendly yote load. What about the 25 06?

Shu · « **Reply #9 on:** December 11, 2010, 04:44:31 AM »

Depends on the bullet for the 30-06. The small varmit bullets will blow up on small game at 30 06 velocities. The 150 grain bullets and up shouldn't do to much damage to small bodied critters but have been known to vaporize rabbits occaisionally. Works well on deer size mushrooms well on them, the smaller animals it doesn't open up as much.
Fur friendly on coyotes a 223 with 55 grain fmj bullets is a small entry and exit wound.

Tommie D · « **Reply #10 on:** December 11, 2010, 04:45:39 AM »

The 25-06 is a very versatile caliber.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #11 on:** December 11, 2010, 04:53:16 AM »

Quote from: jimneye on December 11, 2010, 04:29:13 AM

Ive been reloading less than a year. My workings have been with .40 and 223. I just assumed that the 30 06 would not be a fur friendly yote load. What about the 25 06?

Don't forget FMJ bullets baby!!! As long as you stay away form bigger bones, they just poke a little hole. BUT also remember because they stay together, they travel quite a distance. So I prefer a backstop of some kind. Of coarse this is not an issue in some locations. On the other end of the spectrum bullet wise if the little 110HP for the 30 carbine. Loaded up in the 06 would vaporize a target just like the 22-250 could.

25-06 is a good one too. BULLET selection is key to success.

CW

Lefty Dude · « **Reply #12 on:** December 11, 2010, 05:05:08 AM »

30-30 or .308 & 30-06

Ammo can be found in any Po-Dunk little store in America.

Troyboy · « **Reply #13 on:** December 11, 2010, 07:24:45 AM »

If you are just talking varmits and deer tha 243 gets the nod form me.

Hit or Miss · « **Reply #14 on:** December 11, 2010, 08:09:39 AM »

.243 would work pretty good if you are a handloader. I used to use a 50 something grain hollow point on coyotes and 80 grainers on deer. I lost several coyotes with 80 grain soft points through the years though. Bullet technology has improved drastically since then.

trotterlg · « **Reply #15 on:** December 11, 2010, 08:42:26 AM »

Nothing over 17 or 20 cal is going to be fur friendly really. As much as I hate to say it, a .243 is probably as good as you are going to do. Load up bullets from about 60 to 110 grains and you can take on most anything that won't eat you. Larry

Sourdough · « **Reply #16 on:** December 11, 2010, 08:53:05 AM »

Plain and simple, the one all others are judged by. 30-06 Period. 100gr to 250gr Will take down anything on the face of the earth. 125gr solids for Foxes, and 180gr partitions for Grizzly.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 11, 2010, 08:55:36 AM »

243 or 25-06.

bikerbeans · « **Reply #18 on:** December 11, 2010, 09:47:08 AM »

I second or third the '06 if you only have one CF Rifle. Real wide range of factory offerings and even more choices for the reloader. If you remove the "Fur Friendly" requirement I would love to get a Yote with my 45-70 shorty!

BB

spikehorn · « **Reply #19 on:** December 11, 2010, 10:06:40 AM »

Quote from: Shu on December 11, 2010, 04:44:31 AM

Fur friendly on coyotes a 223 with 55 grain fmj bullets is a small entry and exit wound.

I raed a debate on 223 FMJ VS HP in PX magazine as far as minimizing pelt damage, so I decided to give FMJs a try. We were set up on a bait pile in ladder stands about 75 yards from the pile. I noticed movement to my left and saw a nice blonde yote comming in. It had no idea we were there. I tracked it found a shooting lane, when its front shoulder hit my cross hair I fired. The yote went down started squirreling around. I tried to put another one in the yote, preety sure i missed that shot. It got it's back legs under it and pushed itself over a little ridge. We gave it about twenty minutes and got down to find it, only to track it well after dark and never find it. I will never use FMJ on a coyote again, they are alot tougher than people think.

Shu · « **Reply #20 on:** December 11, 2010, 10:51:56 AM »

Coyotes can absorb a bullet or 2 thats for sure. I haven't had anything get back up from being head shot.

spikehorn · « **Reply #21 on:** December 11, 2010, 12:49:21 PM »

Maybe if I had waited until it got on the bait pile, but didn't want to risk getting scented

cwlongshot · « **Reply #22 on:** December 11, 2010, 01:16:59 PM »

Off the top of my head, I have shot them with a 17 HMR, 22LR's, 22 mags, a 22Hornet from a contender, my maxi, now my 454 just this year, my 7mm-08 and 35 Whelen, heck I even killed three with an arrow. The only one that got away was with the 35 whelen!!! I hit him good too...so I thought. Go figure.
Most only went a couple yards, the one last week with the 454 went about 25 yards with a hole in the front of his left shoulder and a baseball sized hole at the last rib on his right side!!! The amount of blood loss I was amazed he went that far!!! Here is a video clip a good fifteen minutes after shooting him.

CW

guns-o-fun · « **Reply #23 on:** December 11, 2010, 02:36:27 PM »

For the range of game you mention - and if you are limited to a Handi, 25-06 or 243, but the 25-06 has a better reputation for accuracy in the Handi rifle. Mine is certainly more accurate than the 243 that I had (and sold). If you reload, feeding either of them is no problem, and you can find plenty of 25-06 ammo online as well. If you don't reload, then the 243 is the way to go. If you want one gun for everything - yeah, then the 30-06.

mechanic · « **Reply #24 on:** December 11, 2010, 04:57:32 PM »

280 Remington. If you reload, you can load from 120 gr. to 165 or so to make a very versatile rifle. Varmint to bear, this will cover it.

Ben

Shu · « **Reply #25 on:** December 13, 2010, 02:16:22 AM »

When I think more about this, it is an open ended question that really can't be answered. The 30-06 is one of the most versatile I don't believe there will be an argument. A 12 guage shotgun is actually more versatile. Slugs for big stuff, shot for varmints and birds. Haven't heard of anyone shooting doves with a 30-06.

A shooter couldn't go wrong with any of the calibers mentioned. If you aren't a reloader you need to consider where you can buy ammo. If you are reloader well the world is at your feet.

Shot placement and the right bullet for each hunting situation. Some prefer cast bullets others jacketed. You really can't go wrong with any of the advice from this thread.

Darreld Walton · « **Reply #26 on:** December 13, 2010, 02:39:59 AM »

.30-06

Where ya selling song dog hides?

petemi · « **Reply #27 on:** December 13, 2010, 03:00:11 AM »

I, personally vote for my .357 Maximum. .38 specials won't destroy a yote and will take deer very well with the Mags and Maxsi. Another thought is the .38-55. Load it up...load it down. Both very versatile.

My Maxi is the "gun to jump in the truck with". It's 16.5 inches, Handi and reliable. With .38s, magss and Maxis, it'll take anything in Michigan.

Pete

jimneye · « **Reply #28 on:** December 13, 2010, 04:46:47 AM »

WOW!! lots of good opinions, Thanks to all. My 11 yo daughter will be hunting next year. Trying to get something she can handle in the deer woods and I can use for coyote. I probably wont sell any hides but may keep them for myself. Another thing is my son 8yo now is rt handed but left eye dominant. I'm thinking an h&r that can be used by all, but the 243 has accuracy issues, so i hear. Maybe I need a couple different cals. maybe 223. and 30 06, so many choices so little time. It will give me an excuse( not that i need one) to play at the reloading bench. Thanks again everybody, lots of top notch folks here, Rich

quickdtoo · « **Reply #29 on:** December 13, 2010, 05:02:16 AM »

I wouldn't shy away from the 243, the only reason it has a reputation for accuracy issues is the Superlight or compact models are very heat sensitive, folks shoot them hot and expect good accuracy, but for a deer hunting round, the first round is the one that counts and a possible second maybe, that's very doable even with the Superlight, I have a couple of em, both shoot very well, you can see what the third round will do on the target below, that's three consecutive shots at 100yds within a couple minutes.

Tim