Author Topic: Buying a new deer rifle - caliber? (Read 2052 times)

Michiganiac · « **on:** September 07, 2005, 07:33:41 AM »

I am looking for a new deer rifle, will probably go with the Savage 110 series. I already own a couple lever guns for the woods, but would like something for the open country. I plan on heading to Texas soon to hunt whitetails there, and an eventual trip out west for mulies and maybe antelope.

Help me out on the caliber - between the short mags, 7mm's, 6.5mm's, 30 cal's, etc. I am completely lost.

Light recoil is a bonus, but not the deciding factor.

I am going to buy something bigger eventually for Elk, , so that's not a concern with this rifle.

Thanks,
Bill

PA-Joe · « **Reply #1 on:** September 07, 2005, 07:58:39 AM »

7mm08 or a 7mm Remington saum

Savage .250 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 07, 2005, 08:06:58 AM »

Maybe a .270............IMO

" the best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

Dave in WV · « **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2005, 08:08:01 AM »

If you really want a short action mag the .270 WSM is a good one. It out performs the .270 and does it in a short action.

I'll second the 7mm-08. I have one and it's a great cartridge.

handirifle · « **Reply #4 on:** September 07, 2005, 09:18:39 AM »

Since you are already deciding to buy another rifle for larger game, I'd go with the 7-08 as well. Stay away from magnums if the light recoil bonus is looked for.

I Just sold off a 280 Rem (7mm-30-06 basically) and recoil on that was less than my 30-06, so the 7-08 more than likely would be the same or less. In otherwords, the recoil was very mild in my view and the 7mm's have a real good reputation for effectiveness.

Better to be a light recoil and greater accuracy , than heavy recoil and more flinching.

Bear Wallow · « **Reply #5 on:** September 07, 2005, 09:34:33 AM »

What about a 25-06 0r 270 for Texas?

Norseman112 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 07, 2005, 10:20:38 AM »

7M-08 would work very nice, but I would consider the 25-06 as well.

Norse

PEPAW · « **Reply #7 on:** September 07, 2005, 10:44:16 AM »

I would definitely get the .260. "Perfect" whitetail ballistics.
Short action and a pleasure to shoot . Also perfect for a lightweight rifle with the light recoil .

pepaw

riddleofsteel · « **Reply #8 on:** September 07, 2005, 12:04:41 PM »

You know in medium capacity cartridges from 25 to 30 caliber there is not much difference in terminal performance on deer, provided you choose the correct bullet weight for the intended game.
All the rest of the arguments are stuff that keeps the campfires of deer camp burning long into the night as hunters discuss what makes "thier" caliber the best.
There is a reason that 25-06, 6.5x55, .260, .270, 7-08, .280, .308, 30-06 are frequently mentioned. It is because they all work, and work well for deer size and larger game.

Having said that I have come to the conclusion that the 6.5/.26 caliber is ideal for deer sized game in North America. I built my son a 6.5-.284 on a Model Seven Remington that is nearly perfect. For factory ammo rifles the .260 is hard to beat in short actions. If you can find one a 6.5x55 will make you a classic and ideal all around deer rifle.

However since you mentioned open Texas country take a long look at the .270. I just built a Savage 110 in .270 that is shooting .5" groups. A 130 grain .270 spire point fired at 3060 FPS will give you a point blank range out to 350 yards and hit hard when it gets there.

Zachary · « **Reply #9 on:** September 07, 2005, 12:15:42 PM »

7mm-08 for short action, or .270 Winchester for long action.

Zachary

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #10 on:** September 07, 2005, 03:01:24 PM »

.257 Roberts
.25-06
.260 Rem
.270
7mm-08
7mm Mag

I shoot the .257 Roberts with +P loads, pushing a 120g bullet to 2900fps and a TSX to 3000fps. You won't get there with factory +P loads, though. The .25-06 is a better chice for most folks.

The .260 Rem and 7mm-08 are both excellent choices.

The 7mm Mag has been my mainstay for 24 years, antelope to elk.

TexasNimrod · « **Reply #11 on:** September 07, 2005, 04:07:19 PM »

I agree with the .25-06 or the .270

longwinters · « **Reply #12 on:** September 07, 2005, 04:36:25 PM »

As Riddle has said there is quite a selection that will fit your needs. But I must digress and suggest the 280 Rem. That is if you hand load. I don't remember if you said you did or not. If not then the 30-06 would be, in my mind the best in a long action with the 7m-08 in short action. The 06 has the edge over the 270 according to my reloading books in several areas. Bullet choices/sizes, and actually velocity also when shooting the same weight bullets. The 7m-08 is just one of those nice "tweeners" with light recoil, a lot of bullet choices (if you reload) and of the 2 my family has both are moa accurate

Long

mountainview · « **Reply #13 on:** September 08, 2005, 04:42:41 AM »

Michiganic:
It is a lot of fun to get a new rifle but I can appreciate the difficulty of selecting the "best" caliber.

The 110 series Savages are long actions while the 10/11 Series are the short actions. I have both series (LA in 30-06, SA in 7-08) and would not get rid of them even the ones without the Accutrigger. Both my LA and SA are dynamite on deer sized critters. If you are not handloading, stick with the standard calibers to keep ammo costs down. I'd go with the 30-06 recommendations since you can get ammo for every purpose and there are also managed recoil rounds if the ole shoulder gets a bit sore.

Michiganiac · « **Reply #14 on:** September 08, 2005, 07:41:38 AM »

I forgot to say that I don't handload. That being said, I am still leaning toward the 7-08 so far... I own a Savage in .223 and wouldn't trade it for anything. I don't believe Savage offers a 6.5, which is another one that sounds interesting, but probably tough to find ammo for. I have bounced around the 30 calibers, but I don't really want or need that much gun. The 'ol .257 Roberts sounds great too, but I can't remember the last time I actually saw a rifle chambered for it.

Bill

lilabner · « **Reply #15 on:** September 08, 2005, 09:00:14 AM »

Yep, like they say - either the .270 or the 25-06. If you hunt where there are really big bodied mulies, the .270 has a very slight edge. For most deer and plains antelope, the 25-06 would be my choice. The .270 kicks a bit more but not enough to really notice. Both have a really long point blank range which is nice if you do plains or open country hunting.

poncaguy · « **Reply #16 on:** September 08, 2005, 09:14:48 AM »

You'll be very happy with the 7-08...........

Ifishsum · « **Reply #17 on:** September 09, 2005, 07:47:21 AM »

I made up my mind a couple years ago that a 7mm-08 will be my next deer rifle. In that time, I've seen nothing in print, forum or personal experience to convince me otherwise. That says something to me.

Zeke Menuar · « **Reply #18 on:** September 09, 2005, 08:01:58 AM »

I have experience with 270, 7x57, 300 Savage, 308, and 30-06. Get one of those.

ZM

Grubbs · « **Reply #19 on:** September 09, 2005, 11:50:11 AM »

The 7-08 is perfect for any deer anywhere from Canada to Texas.

one eye joe · « **Reply #20 on:** September 09, 2005, 11:54:45 AM »

Having grown up in west Texas and hunting there all my life, my go to gun is the .25/06. I love my 6.5x55 but Savage doesn't chamber for it. You don't need anything above 7mm, and I personally wouldn't go below .25 which narrows it to what few calibers Savage offers in that range. If you want short action, go 7-08 or .260 (if available). Long action, go .25/06 and don't look back.

John C-S · « **Reply #21 on:** September 09, 2005, 01:50:36 PM »

If you would consider ONE rifle superb for deer and elk, why not go the extra mile and get a 270 WBY or 300 WBY? I find delight in a rifle that works for more things at the cost of two. Why not? There are some bolts at very reasonable prices chambered for these rounds (not Savage). The saying, "Beware of the man with one rifle" has merit. The ONE rifle is known twice over two rifles. And recoil on a 300 is not at all bad. It isn't a 25, but a 25 isn't proper for deer AND elk.

RaySendero · « **Reply #22 on:** September 09, 2005, 04:52:10 PM »

Don't make this harder than it is - You need a bolt action rifle in 270 Winchester.

Slamfire · « **Reply #23 on:** September 09, 2005, 06:32:48 PM »

Since you are lookin' at a Savage, get the 7/08 or a .30/06. Then you can get other barrels suitable for the same action length and try 'em all. :grin:

firstshot · « **Reply #24 on:** September 11, 2005, 01:19:59 PM »

Go 7mm-08 and never look back.

firstshot
-------------------------------------
Make your first shot count!

Arick the Red · « **Reply #25 on:** September 12, 2005, 09:17:38 AM »

I don't think you can go wrong with anything from a 25-06 to a 270, especially if you're planning on getting another rifle for elk.

TCBrian · « **Reply #26 on:** September 14, 2005, 08:57:15 AM »

I would have to go with the .260, 6.5x55, or 7-08. All a pleasure to shoot and can be had in a fairly short action rifle. Not sure if the rifle you are looking at can be had in 6.5x55, so the 7-08 might be the first choice. I wouldn't go any bigger, since you plan on getting an elk rifle later. To me an "elk"rifle means a 30-06 on up, so keep this one light so you don't overlap.

Going with something smaller like a .243 or 6mm rem, might be a consideration, because they can double as a varmint rifle, but so can the other cartridges mentioned with lighter bullets. I prefer .25 cal bullets or bigger for deer, but many would argue that point. Also, I am not a person who rely cares if the action is a little shorter. I only recomend those rounds because of there effeiceincy and joy to shoot. Muzzle blast more so than recoil ruins my shooting and the three cartridges mentioned have little of both with most loads.

Brian

Bart Solo · « **Reply #27 on:** September 14, 2005, 09:15:40 AM »

Don't worry too much about caliber if it is at least 243 and no more than 30 caliber. Something in between will do fine. The real issues are:

How does the rifle feel in your hands? Caliber doesn't mean a thing if you can't comfortably hold and aim the rifle. Stock fit and overall length are critical.

How does it kick? If the rifle is too light, it could kick you so hard you won't want to practice. This is especially true with 30 caliber and magnum rifles. On the other hand if you are going to carry the rifle any length of time you will want something light. You have some lever guns. Do you intend to take your new rifle into the brush or shoot over a bean field?

What is your use for the rifle? Deer only, then 7-08 is great. Something bigger? Maybe a 30 caliber. Something smaller, one of the smaller calibers (243) might be the ticket. Since your ultimate goal is to take it out west and hunt mulies and antelope, a 270 Winchester might be a wise choice.

Cost of ammunition? If you reload ammunition cost isn't an issue, but if you don't you want to pick a popular caliber. Ammunition will be more plentiful and less expensive.

If I had to rate any of the above, i would rate the first criteria first. How the rifle fits your body type is more important than anything. If it feels good in your hands you will probably shoot it more and, as a result, better.

JJ79 · « **Reply #28 on:** September 14, 2005, 05:53:47 PM »

Michiganiac...

.270 hands down!!! You can't beat it...you might match it, but you won't beat it!!!

Down here in Texas, the .270 usually outnumbers everything else (at least on all the leases I've ever hunted).

It shoots flat, doesn't kick too bad...and it'll kill any deer in Texas, guaranteed!!!!

mangulator · « **Reply #29 on:** September 15, 2005, 05:14:49 AM »

You will not go wrong with a 30-06 or 308 win.