Calibre Opinions?

harv3589

harv3589

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I am looking to buy a gun that I will use for coyotes and occasional deer/antelope maybe, but more important I want it to be good for my daughter that will be interested in hunting in a few more years.

I am looking at the 243 mainly or a 260 but what are your suggestions?

Thanks,
 
I'd say 243 or maybe even a nice 6.5x55 swedish.

Boils down on if you want an all around or specific.

If it would be coyotes only I would say .223 or 22-250.

Also depends on how big those deer are :wink: :)
 
i also reccomend the 6.5x55 Swedish, especially if you say a youngster will be using it sooner or later, both Winchester and Tikka have it as a factory chambering. or a .25-06 Stevens 200 is cheap and affordable as well.
 
My vote goes either for the 6.5x55 or the 7x57 Mauser.
Both are low recoil giant killers.
The 6.5x55 particularly can either be loaded with light bullets for varmint/predator work or can be loaded with bullets up to 160gn for everything including big deer.
They even use it for moose in Europe, not that I'm suggesting your daughter is going to hunt moose with it.
For some reason European rounds seem to be more flexible with the whole range of bullet weights whereas some American designs work best with specific weights.
Perhaps it has to do with the longer throats on the chambers?
The 6.5 Swede & the 7x57 however are both examples of cartridges loaded with the gamut of projectiles.
7mm-08 is another option but I like the old world cartridges and I think the 6.5 Swede will have more longevity than the .260.
There's also plenty of factory ammo for the 6.5x55.
Just my opinion of course. :wink:
 
The 6.5 x 55mm would be a great choice. A very accurate caliber. If you're into "new things", you also might want to do some research on the 25 WSSM.
 
I like the .260 better than the .243 due to the heavier bullets that are available. It doesn't burn too much powder either. But, one of the greatest deer/antelope cartridges, IMHO, is the all too often forgotten .250 Savage. Talk about a mild recoiling cartridge! It can use the 120gr bullet, and according to the Nosler manual will push it to 2792 fps when started off by a 41.5gr charge of H 4831. Let's just say you get 2700fps, it will be perfect. Or use a 110gr Accubond. Here is another load: 100gr Partition and 35.0gr of H 4895 for 2953fps out of a 22" barrel.

I think it is just about perfect.
 
i use a .223, .243, .270,

for just such things.

if you can only get one i'd have to say the .243.

just my 2 cents.
 
Its not as easy to find a factory rifle in 250 Savage as it is for the 260 Rem. I think you can find the 257 Roberts in a Ruger still but past that...?

I'd say the 260 Rem gives you the best options. 6.5x55 is still chambered in a couple of Factory models here in North America too but I think the 260 in a Model 7 would be a great fit for a youngster and a great walking predator dual purpose rifle.

A small rifle in 25 06 still kicks a bit for a youngster.
 
243
I hunt with Frank and every yr he drops his big mulies with his 243 and a scored 182 white tail.
The OP said MOSTLY Coyotes and occasional deer, all kinds of factory varmit loads for the 243, load up a heavier 95-100 for deer and your set as deer aren't all that tough big or no big
Not to mention its such a common chambering every Wal-Mart / CDN tire has it.
No 260's 08.s 6X55 or savage load there
 
Can you use a .243 on deer in Alberta? I thought you had a .25cal minimum
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Alberta's minimum caliber is a .23 cal, Good luck finding a .23 caliber rifle. :roll:

I have used the .243 Win as well as the 6mm on three animals apiece, low recoil for sure but not really enough IMHO unless your very very good with shot placement.

Go classic with a .257 Roberts or better yet, the 7x57 Mauser. :wink:
 
If its NOT a 25 cal min in Alberta then the 243 also gets a vote from me too but I still prefere the 25 or 26 cals because I don't like to limit myself to moderate ranges. If the gun is used by a youngster, this may not be a issue.
 
Very true statment in my mind!

1899 said:
But, one of the greatest deer/antelope cartridges, IMHO, is the all too often forgotten .250 Savage. I think it is just about perfect.
Click to expand...

But I would suggest that you get a 308 and load it mild (If you are a handloader). The 308 keeps you into the short action and unless you are a hide hunter, it is a good idea to get the youngsters using one rifle/action as much as possible.

Once your daughter get a few more years under her belt and wants to do a spring bear hunt or an early season moose, then load up heavier loads and she will still be able to use "HER" rifle.

A nice handling bolt action is the Remington Model Seven, and another good rifle to learn with is a Browning BLR if you enjoy the lever action. Both of these rifles are light and easy to handle for youngsters.

I have been down this road a few times and I find that once a youngster gets his or her own rifle it becomes the best of all rifles out there. So you are better to start them with a good rifle in a commom but versitile calibre.

Just my .02 worth of experience.

Good luck and make it enjoyable for her and yourself.
 
Just to stir it up, do you think she may want to shoot larger species? Moose perhaps, yes 243 can do it if the right bullet is placed in the right spot.
Someone mentioned the Rem model7 I would tend to agree with that, they are light enough that someone of limited upper body strength will be able to handle, and they are good shooters. I would opt for the 260 simply for the bigger bullets and more options in bullets. Now if they made it in 257 Roberts, that is what I would do,, but they don't offer it from factory, hence I make my own.
The 260 has light recoil and with the 140 grain bullets will have better retained downrange energy and less wind drift to deal with.
6.5 x55 or 7x57 or 7mm08 all are other good choices, but most are only available in full sized rifles and if the rifle does not fit her or she can't support it, will she shoot it?? :mrgreen:
 
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