Deer rifles

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Crispy
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Deer rifles

Post by Crispy »

I know this is a little off the bow hunting topic, but still has to do with deer hunting. When I was 12yrs old Santa brought me a marlin 30-30. Very acurate and light recoil. When I was 14yrs old I lost 2 bucks with it, good shots but ran on to the neighbors property and were killed there. Stepped up to a .270 and killed everything I shot at right in its tracks! At 45yrs old and a rotater cuff injury i'm not sure if I want to take the pounding from the .270. I know the 30-30 has taken more deer than any other cal. and thinking of taking it out again, do you folks have a favorite cal. and why? My longest shots would be around 125yds and most within 50yds with a little brush. Thougt the .243 would be good for groundhogs and with the right bullet could double as a deer rifle, does it have more stopping power than the 30-30? Sorry to be longwinded but thanks, Crispy
VixChix
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Post by VixChix »

For hunting in the woods I love my Savage 99 in .300 (lever action). Great for the closer shots, but not so bad at longer shots either. Took my first Alberta mulie with one at 210 yards with open sights, and it dropped on the spot.

I haven't had the chance to hunt with it for a few years since my little guy was born but hopefully next year!
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Shotnbeer
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Post by Shotnbeer »

243 is a great choise. I've killed a ton of deer with it using 100 gr bullets. great for varmits also. you might look a 257 roberts but i think you'll find the 243 a good gun with shells fairly cheap.
Fishn-Hunter
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Post by Fishn-Hunter »

6mm remington might be worth considering also 35 remington both great deer cartriges.
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Grizzly Adam
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Post by Grizzly Adam »

A .243 is fine for deer ... with properly constructed bullets of correct weight ... and with precise shooting.

They will not do with just any load.

Nor will they forgive poor shooting.

As with anything, a .243 is a compromise ... but not a bad one.

For a light-recoiling rifle that will get the job done with adequate care, they're tough to beat.

When used for deer hunting, I think light recoil is the greatest advantage of this cartridge.
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Old Exocet
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Post by Old Exocet »

308 should be considered.....good ballistics, a variety of bullet weights, and signifigantly less recoil than other bullets in its class. Think of it as a 30-06 with 30% less recoil.
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ninepointer
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Post by ninepointer »

I shoot a .270 and a .308 and I would say that they are very similar in recoil. Sounds like what might work for you is a .243 or a .25/06. The buck in the pick below was taken at our deer camp at 200 yards with one shot from a Browning BLR in .243.

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Post by Grizzly Adam »

ninepointer wrote:... a .25/06.
Yes! King of the non-magnum flat-shooters!

Good call ... I'd forgotten that old wildcat. I'd love to have one.

Very reasonable recoil ... but not as light as a .243! 8)
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recoil

Post by bdog »

Don't forget about the reduced recoil shells they have out now,also they have improved the rounds that go in your 30-30
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wabi
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Post by wabi »

You might want to check out the now 30-30 ammo available now, before you buy another rifle. I haven't any first hand experience with it, but bullet design has come a long way!
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Old Exocet
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Post by Old Exocet »

Ok.9pointer you got me. Felt recoil 308 vs 270 is 1 or 2 lbs less.

The 243 is about 1 lb less than the 30-30 at about 10lbs, 308 and 270 run 15 to 17.

How about the 6.5x55? Excellent ballistics and just about the same recoil as a 30-30....?
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ninepointer
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Post by ninepointer »

Old Exocet wrote:Ok.9pointer you got me. Felt recoil 308 vs 270 is 1 or 2 lbs less.

The 243 is about 1 lb less than the 30-30 at about 10lbs, 308 and 270 run 15 to 17.

How about the 6.5x55? Excellent ballistics and just about the same recoil as a 30-30....?
Cool info, thanks! :D All I know is I can shoot the same number of boxes at the range from my .270 or my .308, before the flinch starts to creep in! :lol:
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B-Logger
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Post by B-Logger »

Over here the 243 and 30-30 have shot many, many deer. The 243 is better I think for over 100 yards and it also makes an excellent varmint rifle.
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Post by lscha »

I have to weigh in with my .243 with 100 grain bullet that I used for the first time this year. I was surprised when my deer dropped at 110 yards. I expected to have to track. My favorite is a .44 mag handgun but I must admit that when I got the trigger lightened and stock cut down on my Ruger .243 I enjoyed shooting it and it is very accurate. First year with a rifle instead of a handgun. This gun was originally going to be used only for coyotes but I had fun deer hunting with it this year.
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Post by TPM »

If you're keeping your shots within 125 yards there is no reason you can't stick with the 30-30 but ammo choice is key. My favourite is 170 gr. Winchester Silvertips but the new Hornady load is getting a lot of great reviews.

http://www.realguns.com/archives/120.htm
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