Which caliber for first deer rifle? - Page 4

BIG P · February 14, 2013, 11:06 AM

270 with a open mind,25-06 when you start to handload both are great.

Jbotto · February 15, 2013, 01:30 AM

For starters, I think the first deer rifle should be a nice HANDY rifle... So I opt out of any long action cartridge. Just adds extra bulk to me and for deer, there are many short action chamberings that will do the job just perfectly. With that said, I'll recommend the .243. I like the one I share with my younger brother, when he lets me shoot it.... I do like the idea of the 7mm-08 as well though. If the shooter can tolerate a bit more recoil, then by all means, but a bigger hole into your target.

jimmythegeek · February 15, 2013, 01:57 AM

Local guy is selling a Tikka M695.

I'd like something milder than .270 win or .30-06. I have a Garand and I think that's about my upper limit for recoil. I don't like my friend's Mosin much. So I do want an intermediate caliber. OTOH, .308 and .30-06 projectiles with a 190 or 200 grain weight have a higher bc than anything in .243. Maybe it's worth the pounding?

I am getting into reloading, so after collecting some brass and projectiles it wouldn't be too hard to keep feeding it.

I might be interested in hunting west coast white tail, but we actually have more elk around here than deer.

Lots of choices. It's almost aggravating.

Brian Pfleuger · February 15, 2013, 08:27 AM

BC is irrelevant at 250 yards.

wingman · February 15, 2013, 09:25 AM

Easy choice for me, 243.

sc928porsche · February 16, 2013, 03:38 PM

For your 1st deer rifle???? Why buy one and then upgrade later when the cost is going to be the same? 243 and 7-08 would work fine for deer but neither will have the energy of the 270. Besides, someday you might get a chance to do a little elk hunting. You have had some experience with the 270 and found it to be pleasant, so my advice it to go with it. By the way, bullet placement is important and I love all these quotes and such that game can be brought down at long distances with small caliber rifles, but down range energy is important too. You can bring down a bear at 200 yds with a 22lr if you hit him in the eye and go into the brain. You can bring down elephant with a 7x57. However, they would not be the best choice. You will be hard pressed to find anything better suited for deer at the range you stated than the 270.

hooligan1 · February 17, 2013, 06:05 PM

Brian BC is never irrelevant, we know you dig the .243, but it's not the kill everything caliber that you think it may be. However a .30 cal could very well be, and if you load proper bullets, it can easily take anything on this continent.
I think the .270 winchester has many benefits for a hunter. Also I like them both, but would carry the larger of the two if the situation dictates.

Brian Pfleuger · February 17, 2013, 06:21 PM

Shooting whitetail deer at 225 yards max distance, BC is most assuredly 100% irrelevant. Figure me the difference in the point of impact at 250 yards between two big game bullets with a 150 yard zero in a 10mph cross-wind. BC is irrelevant.

I've never said that a .243 is a "kill everything" caliber but it most certainly is a kill everything up to at least elk size caliber. Shot placement matters, the energy you put in the tree on the other side of the animal doesn't matter. The .041 or .065 difference in the size of the hole is irrelevant.

Joe Chicago · February 17, 2013, 09:21 PM

Before Sandy Hook, I would have said .308 because you can find it anywhere from multiple manufacturers in several bullet weights. Now that there has been a run on 'military' ammo and there is no .308 in stores anywhere, I would say 7mm-08 or 270.

RonR6 · February 17, 2013, 09:33 PM

My first deer rifle was a 243. Shot many deer with it
you can't go wrong with the 270 either. I love my 243 with
100 gr Noslers.

Sulaco · February 18, 2013, 08:46 PM

I like .308 for a do it all caliber. Especially if deer will be your primary target. 7mm-08 is just as good and funny as it may seem, easier to find, at least right now. I've killed deer with a .243 as well, and if I was doing any sort of varmint hunting, might consider it, but for majority deer, I'd go a little heavier. Just my two cents.

cdbeagle · February 18, 2013, 11:59 PM

Bought my daughter a 7mm-08 and she had trouble with recoil. Sold it and bought the same model rifle in .243 for her and she liked it much better. I shot both rifles and felt there was significantly more recoil with the 7mm-08.
I have a .270 and a .243 but do the vast majority of my deer hunting with my 6.5x55 which I think compares to the 7mm-08 more than a .243 or .270. I am in my 50's and have had a couple of shoulder operations so recoil is an issue with me.

That being said, since you stated that the .270 was comfortable my opinion is that it would be the most versatile, meaning if your situation were to change; ie, shooting at longer distances or larger game. For your exact situation now I think any would work. The one caveat is that where I live, 7mm-08 ammo is a good bit more expensive.

reynolds357 · February 19, 2013, 01:46 PM

My son has a 7-08 model 7 with a muzzle brake. With a 120, it has about as much recoil as a .22lr.

JerryM · February 20, 2013, 12:28 PM

[I'll disagree with the .243. While yes, it is a suitable deer caliber it can also be a deer wounder in the hands of an inexperienced hunter.]

So can anything else.
I have killed deer with a .243, .270, .300 Wby, and 7MM Rem Mag.
The .243 has as high percentage of in the track kills as the other cartridges. I have killed 2 antelope with it at slightly over 500 yards without any difficulty.

Of the OP I would go with the .243.

Jerry

reynolds357 · February 20, 2013, 07:48 PM

Yall know you cant kill a deer with a .243. Deer are armor plated. I recommend nothing smaller than a .338 Lapua. Preferably a .50BMG.

Mauser8mm · February 20, 2013, 08:08 PM

The .243 is a hard hitting, low recoil, and accurate round. It is more accurate at 400 yards than the 30-06. It is a great round for deer, because it doesn't recoil much at all, and has the power to drop a deer. The Ruger American Rifle is a great rifle, and has a very smooth action. I tried the action of a .243 Ruger American Rifle and it was a nice short, smooth action. .243 is definitely what you want to start out on. Hope this helped and let us know what you decided on. They are all great rounds, but the .243 is what you need to start!

WIN1886 · February 20, 2013, 08:24 PM

While I am guilty of preferring old straight cased ,large caliber chambered rifles that shoot heavy bullets with rainbow trajectories.......my .243 caliber rifle has cleanly killed a couple deer requiring one shot each that I just bought before last deer hunting season ! I bought the rifle for the main purpose of varmint hunting go figure !

Very little recoil , flat shooting , and can be chambered in light easy carrying rifles.....what's not to like !

wooly booger · February 22, 2013, 03:19 PM

I have used a .270 on deer sized game for almost 40 years, but if I were starting out right now I would buy the Ruger American or Savage Trophy XP package in 7mm'08. It is excellent..very accurate and easy on the shoulder. If antelope is in your future, you might want to lean back towards the .270 or 25'06. Both are a bit flatter shooting.

Doyle · February 22, 2013, 03:22 PM

Quote:

It is more accurate at 400 yards than the 30-06.

TOTALLY false statement. Accuracy is NOT caliber dependent.

reynolds357 · February 22, 2013, 03:47 PM

If that is true, I challenge you to build a winning bench rest rifle out of a .35 Remington or a .44 magnum. All other things being equal, they would get their rear ends handed them by the 6ppc the .30Br, and about 100 other cartridges.

Brian Pfleuger · February 22, 2013, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reynolds357

If that is true, I challenge you to build a winning bench rest rifle out of a .35 Remington or a .44 magnum. All other things being equal, they would get their rear ends handed them by the 6ppc the .30Br, and about 100 other cartridges.

Reductio ad absurdum

Reduced to the absurd.

First, those are CARTRIDGES, not calibers.

Accuracy is NOT caliber dependent. That's why snipers use .338 Lapua, .300Win Mag and .50 BMG.

Some cartridges are inherently more accurate than others, that's completely different than similar calibers.

SCDeac82 · February 22, 2013, 04:18 PM

I'd vote for the 7-08.

wooly booger · February 22, 2013, 09:12 PM

at 400 yard a .243 drops about 20" and is barely packing 1000 ft.lb of energy. I consider it just barely a deer cartridge at that range....ok for small deer but not a big Iowa buck.

The 30'06 drops about the same but is still packing almost 1700 ft lb of energy. Still elk medicine and plenty for any deer that roams the woods.

reynolds357 · February 22, 2013, 09:55 PM

Brian, I was responding to Doyle's post where he was replying to a post which was contrasting two specific cartridges.

hooligan1 · February 23, 2013, 10:29 AM

I will say,( for once) I totally agree with Brian's Quote: Reduced to the absurd.
Reynolds, what are you thinking about? You can build a benchrest rifle in both .35 caliber and .44 caliber...There isn't a caliber that you couldn't build a rifle to..... with money and smarts, man can do most anything.

And Doyle Is right because accuracy isn't caliber specific.

And Woolybooger Iowa is a "shotgun/muzzleloader" state, as pertaining to firearms deer hunting. (pistols can be used in rifle calibers I beleive)

February 15, 2013, 01:57 AM	#78
jimmythegeek Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 216	How about .280 Remington? Local guy is selling a Tikka M695. I'd like something milder than .270 win or .30-06. I have a Garand and I think that's about my upper limit for recoil. I don't like my friend's Mosin much. So I do want an intermediate caliber. OTOH, .308 and .30-06 projectiles with a 190 or 200 grain weight have a higher bc than anything in .243. Maybe it's worth the pounding? I am getting into reloading, so after collecting some brass and projectiles it wouldn't be too hard to keep feeding it. I might be interested in hunting west coast white tail, but we actually have more elk around here than deer. Lots of choices. It's almost aggravating. __________________ "Jeez, man, what's another word for 'stupid?'" "Tactical." -Tom Servo Marlin 795, 795ss, 39A Mountie, CZ-455 American, CZ-452 Scout, CZ-75 Kadet, AOM160 M1 Carbine, USGI M1 Carbine, M1 Garand, Dan Wesson PM7 1911

February 15, 2013, 08:27 AM	#79
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	Which caliber for first deer rifle? BC is irrelevant at 250 yards.

February 16, 2013, 03:38 PM	#81
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	For your 1st deer rifle???? Why buy one and then upgrade later when the cost is going to be the same? 243 and 7-08 would work fine for deer but neither will have the energy of the 270. Besides, someday you might get a chance to do a little elk hunting. You have had some experience with the 270 and found it to be pleasant, so my advice it to go with it. By the way, bullet placement is important and I love all these quotes and such that game can be brought down at long distances with small caliber rifles, but down range energy is important too. You can bring down a bear at 200 yds with a 22lr if you hit him in the eye and go into the brain. You can bring down elephant with a 7x57. However, they would not be the best choice. You will be hard pressed to find anything better suited for deer at the range you stated than the 270. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

February 17, 2013, 06:05 PM	#82
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	Brian BC is never irrelevant, we know you dig the .243, but it's not the kill everything caliber that you think it may be. However a .30 cal could very well be, and if you load proper bullets, it can easily take anything on this continent. I think the .270 winchester has many benefits for a hunter. Also I like them both, but would carry the larger of the two if the situation dictates. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

February 17, 2013, 06:21 PM	#83
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	Shooting whitetail deer at 225 yards max distance, BC is most assuredly 100% irrelevant. Figure me the difference in the point of impact at 250 yards between two big game bullets with a 150 yard zero in a 10mph cross-wind. BC is irrelevant. I've never said that a .243 is a "kill everything" caliber but it most certainly is a kill everything up to at least elk size caliber. Shot placement matters, the energy you put in the tree on the other side of the animal doesn't matter. The .041 or .065 difference in the size of the hole is irrelevant. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

February 14, 2013, 11:06 AM	#76
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,679	270 with a open mind,25-06 when you start to handload both are great.

February 15, 2013, 01:30 AM	#77
Jbotto Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: MN Posts: 437	For starters, I think the first deer rifle should be a nice HANDY rifle... So I opt out of any long action cartridge. Just adds extra bulk to me and for deer, there are many short action chamberings that will do the job just perfectly. With that said, I'll recommend the .243. I like the one I share with my younger brother, when he lets me shoot it.... I do like the idea of the 7mm-08 as well though. If the shooter can tolerate a bit more recoil, then by all means, but a bigger hole into your target.

February 15, 2013, 09:25 AM	#80
wingman Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2002 Posts: 2,108	Easy choice for me, 243.

February 17, 2013, 09:21 PM	#84
Joe Chicago Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2011 Location: Chicago area Posts: 277	Before Sandy Hook, I would have said .308 because you can find it anywhere from multiple manufacturers in several bullet weights. Now that there has been a run on 'military' ammo and there is no .308 in stores anywhere, I would say 7mm-08 or 270.

February 17, 2013, 09:33 PM	#85
RonR6 Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2013 Location: South Eastern PA Posts: 108	My first deer rifle was a 243. Shot many deer with it you can't go wrong with the 270 either. I love my 243 with 100 gr Noslers.

February 18, 2013, 08:46 PM	#86
Sulaco Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2001 Posts: 138	I like .308 for a do it all caliber. Especially if deer will be your primary target. 7mm-08 is just as good and funny as it may seem, easier to find, at least right now. I've killed deer with a .243 as well, and if I was doing any sort of varmint hunting, might consider it, but for majority deer, I'd go a little heavier. Just my two cents.

February 18, 2013, 11:59 PM	#87
cdbeagle Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2012 Location: Justin Texas Posts: 313	Bought my daughter a 7mm-08 and she had trouble with recoil. Sold it and bought the same model rifle in .243 for her and she liked it much better. I shot both rifles and felt there was significantly more recoil with the 7mm-08. I have a .270 and a .243 but do the vast majority of my deer hunting with my 6.5x55 which I think compares to the 7mm-08 more than a .243 or .270. I am in my 50's and have had a couple of shoulder operations so recoil is an issue with me. That being said, since you stated that the .270 was comfortable my opinion is that it would be the most versatile, meaning if your situation were to change; ie, shooting at longer distances or larger game. For your exact situation now I think any would work. The one caveat is that where I live, 7mm-08 ammo is a good bit more expensive. __________________ Assistant Secretary - U.S. Dry Bean Council

February 19, 2013, 01:46 PM	#88
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	My son has a 7-08 model 7 with a muzzle brake. With a 120, it has about as much recoil as a .22lr.

February 20, 2013, 12:28 PM	#89
JerryM Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,889	[I'll disagree with the .243. While yes, it is a suitable deer caliber it can also be a deer wounder in the hands of an inexperienced hunter.] So can anything else. I have killed deer with a .243, .270, .300 Wby, and 7MM Rem Mag. The .243 has as high percentage of in the track kills as the other cartridges. I have killed 2 antelope with it at slightly over 500 yards without any difficulty. Of the OP I would go with the .243. Jerry __________________ Ecclesiastes 12:13 ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

February 20, 2013, 07:48 PM	#90
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	Yall know you cant kill a deer with a .243. Deer are armor plated. I recommend nothing smaller than a .338 Lapua. Preferably a .50BMG.

February 20, 2013, 08:08 PM	#91
Mauser8mm Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2012 Location: Near Gainesville Fl. Posts: 224	.243, Hands Down The .243 is a hard hitting, low recoil, and accurate round. It is more accurate at 400 yards than the 30-06. It is a great round for deer, because it doesn't recoil much at all, and has the power to drop a deer. The Ruger American Rifle is a great rifle, and has a very smooth action. I tried the action of a .243 Ruger American Rifle and it was a nice short, smooth action. .243 is definitely what you want to start out on. Hope this helped and let us know what you decided on. They are all great rounds, but the .243 is what you need to start!

February 20, 2013, 08:24 PM	#92
WIN1886 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 604	While I am guilty of preferring old straight cased ,large caliber chambered rifles that shoot heavy bullets with rainbow trajectories.......my .243 caliber rifle has cleanly killed a couple deer requiring one shot each that I just bought before last deer hunting season ! I bought the rifle for the main purpose of varmint hunting go figure ! Very little recoil , flat shooting , and can be chambered in light easy carrying rifles.....what's not to like !

February 22, 2013, 03:19 PM	#93
wooly booger Junior member Join Date: February 22, 2013 Location: on the edge Posts: 143	I have used a .270 on deer sized game for almost 40 years, but if I were starting out right now I would buy the Ruger American or Savage Trophy XP package in 7mm'08. It is excellent..very accurate and easy on the shoulder. If antelope is in your future, you might want to lean back towards the .270 or 25'06. Both are a bit flatter shooting.

February 22, 2013, 03:47 PM	#95
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	If that is true, I challenge you to build a winning bench rest rifle out of a .35 Remington or a .44 magnum. All other things being equal, they would get their rear ends handed them by the 6ppc the .30Br, and about 100 other cartridges.

February 22, 2013, 04:18 PM	#97
SCDeac82 Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2010 Location: Southeast-USA Posts: 222	I'd vote for the 7-08. __________________ "No free man shall ever be de-barred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain their right to keep and bear arms is as a last resort to protect themselves against tyranny in government." -- Thomas Jefferson

February 22, 2013, 09:12 PM	#98
wooly booger Junior member Join Date: February 22, 2013 Location: on the edge Posts: 143	mauser 8mm post at 400 yard a .243 drops about 20" and is barely packing 1000 ft.lb of energy. I consider it just barely a deer cartridge at that range....ok for small deer but not a big Iowa buck. The 30'06 drops about the same but is still packing almost 1700 ft lb of energy. Still elk medicine and plenty for any deer that roams the woods.

February 22, 2013, 09:55 PM	#99
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	Brian, I was responding to Doyle's post where he was replying to a post which was contrasting two specific cartridges.

February 23, 2013, 10:29 AM	#100
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	I will say,( for once) I totally agree with Brian's Quote: Reduced to the absurd. Reynolds, what are you thinking about? You can build a benchrest rifle in both .35 caliber and .44 caliber...There isn't a caliber that you couldn't build a rifle to..... with money and smarts, man can do most anything. And Doyle Is right because accuracy isn't caliber specific. And Woolybooger Iowa is a "shotgun/muzzleloader" state, as pertaining to firearms deer hunting. (pistols can be used in rifle calibers I beleive) __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

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