Best varmint/deer caliber
What's the best all around caliber for both coyotes and deer?
Would a .243 make sense? I only want to buy one rifle right
now but need to kill two birds with one stone.
Would a .243 make sense? I only want to buy one rifle right
now but need to kill two birds with one stone.
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As much as I love the 243, I'd have to say 25-06 -Ralph
It was never supposed to be like this.0 -
30-06 will cover all of the bases.
If it ain't broke-it ain't ours!!!0 -
Searcher has the right of it.
30-06
Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis0 -
i really love the 243. i shoot a 60 grain varmint load that has better ballistics than the 22-250, and the 105 grain remington extended range works really well on whitetails.
however the 60 grainer does have a tendency to rip the pelts on the coyotes. are you looking to sell the hides?
if you find a lightweight bolt action like a ruger 77 or a winchester model 70, you cant go wrong. if you cant afford the 6 or 7 hundred bucks for one of those, shop for a good used one, or
you can check out the new england firearms handi rifles. they run about 189.00 you can get accessory bbls in 25-06 270 308 30-06 and 223!!
great guns for the buck.
kyle0 -
6mm 0 -
The .243 would make sense. Lighter bullets (80 gr.) for varmits and heavier (100 gr.) for whitetail deer. When being used for deer it would be important to insure you are able to place the shot in the kill zone. Get to know your rifle and practice. Just for the record, I do prefer a heavier cal. for whitetail. .25-06 or .270 would be great and obviously do the job on coyotes. 0 -
the 243 is what i carry in the pickup or tractor all the time for coyotes
i reload them with nosler 55 grain bal tip have half dozen coyotes instantly dead at 300 yds with this load. many many deer have fell dead with one shot out to 400 yds here. the 243 is the smallest rifle i would use for deer though in my part of the world.
doc0 -
I have killed several deer with a 243, and it is a fine round. If given the choice between it and a 257 roberts I would go with the roberts. The ability to use 120 grain bullets is worthwhile, and the round will do anything a 243 will do an the same amount of powder.
A man with a gun is a CITIZEN, a man without a gun is a subject.0 -
I like the 270. Light bullets for varmints, heavy bullets for deer. 0 -
I give the nod to the .25-06. If you want to be frugal, but have a good rifle, I'd look at what Savage has to offer in their bolt gun line.
If you want extreme frugality, take a look at the NEF Handi-Rifles. You can get two or three calibers in one rifle for less than one name brand bolt gun.
Good luck.
Buy low, short high...0 -
The best round, the one you like best that will do the job. The 243 will work just fine as will all the others mentioned for what you want. I've taken several whitetail with a 243. However my favorite gun to hunt with is my 350 Rem mag. Bigger does not mean better, just a larger comfort zone. 0 -
A lot of fine suggestions here, but if you want one round that will handle groundhogs to grizzlys, and everything in between, go with .30-06 0 -
7mm mag. 100gr for coyotes and 150-160gr for deer.
other than that, for 300yds, a 22-250 or 220 swift will get the job done, with little or no recoil and plenty of accuracy.
then again so will a 243 or 257 rbts. It's all in what you want, they will all work.
I'm a man,....but I can change,.....If I have to,......I guess.0 -
quote:
i really love the 243. i shoot a 60 grain varmint load that has better ballistics than the 22-250, and the 105 grain remington extended range works really well on whitetails.
however the 60 grainer does have a tendency to rip the pelts on the coyotes. are you looking to sell the hides?
if you find a lightweight bolt action like a ruger 77 or a winchester model 70, you cant go wrong. if you cant afford the 6 or 7 hundred bucks for one of those, shop for a good used one, or
you can check out the new england firearms handi rifles. they run about 189.00 you can get accessory bbls in 25-06 270 308 30-06 and 223!!
great guns for the buck.
kyle0 -
Thanks for all the help. I'm not looking to keep any yodel dog hides, so that won't be an issue, but I was concerned if the .243 had enough knock down power with a 100 gr bullet for mule deer. I'm looking at getting a Savage 16flss, but I heard that Savage is making their triggers adjustable now and that I should wait a couple months to get one. Is an adjustable trigger worth the wait?? 0
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