What caliber for deer and target?
I'm no expert at the technical aspects of guns, so I here's what I need help with. I would like to put a rifle/scope together to do 2 things.
#1: I deer hunt, but seldom get a shot at long distances. I now have an opportunity to lease some land with large fields, so that I could get some longer shot opportunities.
#2: I would also like my rifle to allow me to shoot targets in the 400 plus range. I always wanted to see what I could do, just for fun.
I have spoken with a lot of people, and I hear all sorts of opinions, like "a 308 is perfect but not enough velocity to kill a deer from a distance." Some say I need a big load like a 7mm, but I don't want to be punishished when I pull the trigger.
Is a 7mm 08 a good option? Or 25-06? These aren't supposed to be as bad about kick and shoot very flat, I'm told.
My scope is a Nikon Monarch, 5.5 x 16. I am now in the shopping mode for the rifle, but it gets muddier every time I talk to someone else. I originally was going to get a Tikka .308 synthetic stock. I know the Rem 700 is good, but I need a little guidance. I don't have a lot of cash for the gun, so I am really trying to make sure I know what I am looking for.
Any thought or opinions by someone who knows would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Scott
#1: I deer hunt, but seldom get a shot at long distances. I now have an opportunity to lease some land with large fields, so that I could get some longer shot opportunities.
#2: I would also like my rifle to allow me to shoot targets in the 400 plus range. I always wanted to see what I could do, just for fun.
I have spoken with a lot of people, and I hear all sorts of opinions, like "a 308 is perfect but not enough velocity to kill a deer from a distance." Some say I need a big load like a 7mm, but I don't want to be punishished when I pull the trigger.
Is a 7mm 08 a good option? Or 25-06? These aren't supposed to be as bad about kick and shoot very flat, I'm told.
My scope is a Nikon Monarch, 5.5 x 16. I am now in the shopping mode for the rifle, but it gets muddier every time I talk to someone else. I originally was going to get a Tikka .308 synthetic stock. I know the Rem 700 is good, but I need a little guidance. I don't have a lot of cash for the gun, so I am really trying to make sure I know what I am looking for.
Any thought or opinions by someone who knows would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Scott
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i dont have 7mm-08 or 25-06 but have a 270 win in winchester model 70 mine is very accurate and excellent deer rifle here where i live they are fast an flat shooting and hit hard.
you'll get as many different calibers opinion choices as there are people here.
doc0 -
Wow, A lot of guns will fit into what you want. Other things to consider is will you reload or just use factory ammo. Do you plan on shooting any varmits with your gun? Answer these questions for us and it will help narrow things down. 0 -
Look real hard at the 270 win.
You'v gota kill it to grill it0 -
[:D]my friend this is a question that has been ask since
time,the best rifle there is ,is the one you feel most comfortable
with,the one you believe in,the one you can get ammo for anywhere.
now what is your shooting ability,i mean what is your range,you can hear about 4 or 500 yd shots some can some can't,to make them kinda shots you have to shoot a lot,i mean a lot.i used to think the only rifle made was a 7mm mag or a 300 mag.you get stomp enough you will learn there are a lot of other rifles.if deer size game is what your after then look at a 243 or 308.they cant be beat.you have enough scope,.243 or a .308 wont beat you up,ammo is every where and easy to getto.my opion and one dollar will get you a coke anywhere.
good luck though and good shooting[8D]
baksam30 -
25-06 is a good option but the 270 is fairly close and has more ammo options if you don't reload. Ammo seems to be a bit cheaper in the 270 also. You also mentioned .308. Plenty accurate 400 plus yards. Ammo easy to find, not to expensive. You can pick up a Savage Tactical for around $450 and it's a shooter. 0 -
Sounds like the .270 is a very good choice in this case.[:D]
"When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is not our friend."
~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
Will270win@nraonline.com0 -
.270, .308, or my favorite . . .
.30-06
Regardless of caliber, I'd buy a Savage, especially if funds are tight. A very accurate out-of-the-box rifle (even more so than a Remington 700 by some accounts), and several sheckels less to boot.0 -
quote:Originally posted by sundowner
.270, .308, or my favorite . . .
.30-06
Regardless of caliber, I'd buy a Savage, especially if funds are tight. A very accurate out-of-the-box rifle (even more so than a Remington 700 by some accounts), and several sheckels less to boot.
Ditto, My thoughts exactly there Sundowner.0 -
.270 .270 .270 .270 .270 .270 orrrrr .308 is not a bad caliber either, don't shy away from it. Wait, have I mentioned the .270, mine is a Winchester Mod. 70 in synthetic blue. Picked it up at Wal-mart and love it, killed several deer w/ it. Good luck. 0 -
Doe"""...
what all the above have told you is darn good info , i own for a very long time itchagun l s a 65 in .270 it does everything from varmits to Moose ,very accurate. sounds like your gonna be practicing with that leased land,so a well placed shot will bring most deer down,in your case i would go with a .243, has ability for that long range shot your tring for . an has plenty of power for deer also, it has short action for a faster ...next shot,if need it ,less recoil then 7mm Mag [i had one] that gun will move your head back about 7 inches when u touch it off. someone mention reloading [i do] reloadind .243
verses 30-06.,7mm Mag, etc. [long actions] take a whole lot more powder , more $$$. you don't to spend, plus the price of the Gun...for what its worth i would go .243,and if ya' did want to step up, go with the .308... they do shoot a thousand yards....goood luck,,, Mr Gee . . Ps/ you mention speed a good deer load is onr that only has a velocity of 2400-2700 fps , so don't be trying for 3500 you'll wind up look for the sucker all day...0 -
Everyone has give great advice... I might add one thing - see if any of your friends will let you shoot their guns, if not, a lot of gun ranges will rent guns (although usually more pistols than rifles). Find out what kind of recoil you can handle. If you can handle the recoil from the 7mm, then it is a better, flatter round. However, if you are a little recoil-shy, then shooting say a 25-06 and being perfectly confident and comfortable will result in more venison in the freezer and more enjoyable hunts.
It doesn't matter what you shoot, just shoot it well...0 -
Tikka's come in 25-06 too!! The best of everything you're looking for. Flat shooting, accurate, mild recoil, varmints to deer. Check one out! GHD 0 -
A consideration as far as long-range kills should be down range energy. There are a couple calibers mentioned in earlier posts that lack sufficient energy at "long range" to consistently make one shot kills, even with good bullet placement. I'll leave it to you to do the research by picking up a ballistics chart at your sporting goods store. Having said that, I'll agree with GHD and suggest you take a hard look at the 25-06--- mild recoil, excellent accuracy, and plenty of energy. 0 -
I will disagree with the conclusion on the 308 not being strong enough for deer at 500yds, ....and leave it at that.
all the calibers mentioned are sufficient. The 308 is a great round to learn about elevation drop and wind drift. It is probably still one of the most used calibers for long range training.
There are as many answers as there are calibers. The one thing you should look at, if you wish to punch the smalles group through a piece of paper, is that you need a rifle with a good adjustable or gunsmithable trigger, a heavy barrel, and a solid stock. The Savage is a great performer for the money, no doubt about it. But, the Remington 700 VS, VSSF, Sendero, and sendero SF is the rifle I would choose. just my preference.
don't look at the small caliber stuff, unless you always plan on shooting in a "no wind" condition. I would look at the 25-06, 7mm-08, 308, 270, 30-06, 7mm mag, 300 win mag, etc. Remeber this, if you buy a heavier rifle, the recoil from the bigger calibers is reduced by the weight of the rifle.
I'm a man,....but I can change,.....If I have to,......I guess.0 -
i've been a hunting guide in wyoming for 27 years. i've seen many good and bad shots. i've seen lots of rifles in lots of calibers. i own rifles from 17HMR to .416 rem mag. you have a very broad range of great choices these days. for deer and shooting as you describe my choice would be a .25-06 with it's flat trajectory and lighter recoil. 243win, 6mm rem, 270win, 280rem. also the new 270WinShortMag or 7mmWSM are two to consider. it is all personal preference and you won't go wrong with any of the great cartridges, rifles and ammo we have available today.
e-me at cowyboy@yahoo.com0
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