Author Topic: Favorite Caliber for Deer and Predators? (Read 2327 times)

Big Tom · « **on:** January 26, 2004, 06:41:06 AM »

O.K. Guys....I need an opinion. I have my med to heavy hunting calibers covered from .270 to .300 Mag. What would your choice be for an accurate lighter weight centerfire rifle/cal that would handle coyote etc but still be adequate for Deer? :roll:

Eagle Eye · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2004, 06:43:03 AM »

The best choice I have ever found is the .25-06 Remington. I suppose, if one wanted to stoop to a different level, a 257 Weatherby might work in a pinch. :grin:

Zachary · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2004, 06:47:00 AM »

A 25-06 is a fine choice, but you could also go as low as a .243. Keep in mind that the bullet diameter and weights are smaller than the .25-06, but it will still work if you place the bullet in the right spot and within a reasonable distance.

Some people will tell you, and I have witnessed, cartridges as small as the .222 (not even .223) used to kill deer. Such a shot was in the neck at 50 yards and the doe dropped right in her tracks and didn't even kick.

Still, I personally wouldn't go any lower than .243.

Zachary

huntsman · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2004, 07:10:11 AM »

I would have to vote for the 6.5x55 Swede. It can be handloaded with bullets ranging from 85 gr approaching 3300 fps up to 160 gr at 2500+ fps, with 100, 107, 120, 125, and 140 grain offerings in between. Its accuracy is well documented and recoil is minimum on all but the 140 and 160 grain loads, and even there it is relatively mild compared to other calibers doing the same job.

Certainly there are others that could kill both deer and varmints, but I can't think of a better caliber for combined ease of shooting and effectiveness on these combined quarry.

BTW, the .270 can be loaded down to 100 grain bullets as well, where it would also shoot lights out on coyotes, etc and deer. So there is no absolute need to have a smaller caliber than the .270.

bobcathunter · « **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2004, 08:16:50 AM »

I agree with zachary. 25-06 balisticly is very close to the 270 recoil is as well. I have a tikka 243 I bought at walmart for bobcat coyote badgar and mountail lion if i see one. If your a blaistic freak like i am and watch numbers like i do you will find that a 6mm remington or 243 will do the same a with a 100 grn bullet as a 270 will with 130. hope this helps!!!!!!!!!!!1

Lawdog · « **Reply #5 on:** January 26, 2004, 09:07:10 AM »

Any of the following will work fine for both varmints/deer;

6mm cal. - .243 Win., 6mm Rem., .243 WSSM and even the .240 Weatherby Magnum

.25 cal. - .250 Savage, .257 Roberts, .25-06, .257 Weatherby Magnum

Going larger like a 6.5mm doesn't work that well as their 85 & 90 bullets don't fragment on contact like a varmint bullet should. I have tried them in the wife's Swede and ricochets were the norm. Lawdog

jhm · « **Reply #6 on:** January 26, 2004, 11:59:39 AM »

I have found that the 7mm-08 to do a great job using the 120 gr. rem h.p. for the coyotes and I like the 139 gr. for deer the 120 has taken a few deer but I like the 139 better.

JIM

BruceP · « **Reply #7 on:** January 26, 2004, 12:13:14 PM »

I think the 257 Roberts is about right. Most of the cartridges mentioned above will work.
BruceP

Bubba Jack · « **Reply #8 on:** January 26, 2004, 12:13:48 PM »

Start at the top and work to the bottom

7mm-08
.260
.257
.243wsm
.243

Loaded with the right stuff these will also work great!!!!!!!
trophy bonded bear claw (55 grain) or Hornady spire points (60 grain)

.220 swift
22-250 ( my favorite)

Bubba Jack

Carl l. · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2004, 01:49:40 PM »

My vote goes to the .257 Roberts with handloads. I can use 60gr, up to 120 gr. Bullets. Carl L

Will_C · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2004, 02:51:47 PM »

I went through the same decision a year ago. I have a 7mm-08 that I use for deer hunting, and a .222 that I love to shoot woodchucks with. I simply wanted another rifle, and my plan was to get a dual purpose rifle. I decided on a ,243, and I am happy.I shot a load of woodchucks with it last year, but did not use it during deer season.
I think any of the calibers mentioned would serve you well.
Will

SeaBass · « **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2004, 05:05:03 PM »

IMO .243 is the way to go.

.243, .270, and .300 mag. Perfect mix as far as I'm concerned.

jim21 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 29, 2006, 04:36:22 PM »

I would try a 25-06 or even a .243,How long of shots r u expecting to shoot?

fknipfer · « **Reply #13 on:** April 29, 2006, 05:43:31 PM »

You might think about a 30-06 with Remington 125gr Managed recoil rounds for varmits and deer it has only 10lbs of recoil. Then someday if you decide to go for something bigger you don't have to buy another gun. Just buy some 150, 165 or 180gr cartridges. Believe me the thought of going for bigger game is always on someones mind. The 30-06 with 110 and 125grain bullets is a wonderful varmit rifle.

fknipfer

killdeer · « **Reply #14 on:** April 30, 2006, 05:37:04 AM »

I would like to see the 6.5-06 offered by Remmy in a 700 CDL

jim21 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 30, 2006, 08:09:24 AM »

25=06

Couger · « **Reply #16 on:** April 30, 2006, 08:57:46 AM »

I also 'vote' for the .257 Bob, or go with the .243 Win or 6mm Rem in 24 caliber. For something weird choose the .250 Savage! Or 6mm International (.250 Sav necked down to .24 cal).

You already have a 25/06 in the form of a .270 Win!

257 roberts · « **Reply #17 on:** April 30, 2006, 04:14:22 PM »

257 Roberts!!! ( also the 6mm Rem. )

ratgunner · « **Reply #18 on:** May 02, 2006, 01:07:38 PM »

.257 Roberts gets the nod from me too.

TNrifleman · « **Reply #19 on:** May 02, 2006, 01:32:37 PM »

A good 257 Roberts bolt action will easily handle the work you mention.

K.K · « **Reply #20 on:** May 02, 2006, 01:52:18 PM »

243 or 7-08

Bear Wallow · « **Reply #21 on:** May 03, 2006, 06:03:43 AM »

243 or 6mm, I use the 243 and like it for deer and small game.

lilabner · « **Reply #22 on:** May 03, 2006, 01:48:20 PM »

The 25-06 is a great cartridge, make no mistake. It is a bit overkill on predators, just right for deer. The 6s, (.243 and 6 mm Rem) are excellent varmint cartridges but perhaps a tad light for good sized deer (but deer I've shot with a .243 have seemed impressed.) The .257 Roberts is a very effective varmint/deer cartridge and would be my choice. I wonder why it has lost popularity.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 07, 2006, 11:54:10 AM »

My knee-jerk answer was a 25-06, something you can reach out a LONG way with, but if 200 yards is a long shot, most of the other calibers mentioned would do just fine. I've always hankered after a 257 Roberts, as well as a .243, but were I to go that low in caliber I'd get a 6mm for the longer neck and slight velocity edge. If a short action rifle is more appealing, the 7-08 is a great choice, even a 260, but it you want something different, and short, a 250 Ackley Improved would be COOL. It's the best of the Improved rounds (Per P.O. himself) and in a good rifle, with enough barrel, encroaches on 25-06 territory.

Just more food for thought. Isn't this fun?

Papajohn

poncaguy · « **Reply #24 on:** May 07, 2006, 12:31:48 PM »

260 Rem or 243 for deer and coyote.................

Gregory · « **Reply #25 on:** May 07, 2006, 12:37:05 PM »

Quote from: Big Tom

O.K. Guys....I need an opinion. I have my med to heavy hunting calibers covered from .270 to .300 Mag. What would your choice be for an accurate lighter weight centerfire rifle/cal that would handle coyote etc but still be adequate for Deer? :roll:

I'm just curious why you want a duel purpose cartridge? You have adequate deer guns already. How about a coyote gun like a .223 or 22/250? In a pinch, either could be used for a deer (where legal of course and not my first choice).

azshooter · « **Reply #26 on:** May 07, 2006, 01:25:57 PM »

25-06 without debate. My first rifle was a 25-06 I bought at the age of 15(25 years ago). I still have it and it is a smoking varmit round. It blows varmits to bits wih 75 Gr bullets moving 3700 FPS. It reaches out far with 100-120 Gr bullets for deer. As far as I am concerned it is the perfect dual purpose gun.

longwalker · « **Reply #27 on:** May 09, 2006, 05:09:02 AM »

I chose the 25-06. What makes it a great gun for both is flat shooting and 100 grain bullets. I found a nice combination using 100 grain bullets at just over 3200 ft/ sec. It groups well and holds up it's end when finishing the job on Deer and Antelope.

It is not as sectacular on Prairie dogs as say a 223 and 52 grain hollow point but the 100 grain bullets make it easier for me on the long shots.

longwalker

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #28 on:** May 09, 2006, 08:48:53 AM »

Another .257 Roberts vote, in a 22" package. Loaded up with +P brass an ddata, it give up very little to the .25-06.

Mine is very reliable on coyotes out to 479 yards (my longest shot) with 75g V-MAX. For deer I'm loading up 110g Accubonds, 115g TSX and 120g A-Frames -- don't know which one will actually go hunting.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #29 on:** May 09, 2006, 09:06:57 AM »

" I need an opinion."...............................no problem, a .243.