First time RIFLE deer hunter

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DVXDUDE

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North of toronto,ontario
Well I decided i'm going to go up north in a couple weeks deer hunting. I've never RIFLE hunted for deer, always a shotgun hunter back home. I have a 300winmag that I use for moose in the same area. I think thats a bit overkill. Seen my dad shoot a smaller doe with 150g speer federal shells in his 300winmag and it left a monster exit hole even from 250 yards.


I will be hunting a bit of everything, dogging threw the thickest stuff imaginable, then still hunting a large meadows where 300+ yard shots are possible.


I want to buy a new tikka t3 in either .2506, 7mm-08, .270win or .243.
pros and cons of most of these choices? what would you pick?
 
There's no real reason the .300 WinMag won't serve; I've seen deer shot with them and provided it's not a real light bullet right into the shoulder joint, meat damage shouldn't be too bad.
I think the .243 will kill deer at 300 yards, given good placement, but of those four, it's the last one I'd pick. Given that you live where you do, I'd go with a .25-06 or a .270 as both those cartridges are legal for use if you want to hunt coyotes in Southern Ontario. If that is not a consideration, I'd get me a 7mm-08 just because it's something I want.
 
All of those choices would do the trick, thats for sure, i would go 7mm-08 theres really no need to go with a long action or the added recoil (i'm looking at the 7mm-08 rate now in diffrent rifles)
 
25-06: long action, no experience with this cartridge. Considered it when I finally settled on the 243, because of the shorter action.
7mm-08: short action, very similar ballistics as the 7x57 mauser (one of the calibers I hunt deer with). Slightly more recoil than the 243. I shoot 140 grain Accubonds in this for moose and deer.
270: Great caliber as well from what I read, but I have no experience with, long action.
243: short action and another that I shoot deer with. Some say it's a little light for deer, but I've had no problems with mine shooting 100 grain Nosler partitions.
 
Have you considered a .223??? Laugh2

I reloaded for my .300 win and used 150gr bullets at 3200 fps if I recall correctly. Damage on deer was an un-scientific no different than 308 or 270.

Only thing I can say is that deer shot with the 300 or 12 ga slug tended to drop right effin there.

Throw the 6.5 into your selection, lottsa CGNers love it and really got my interest up.
 
I know the 300winmag will work fine but I like buying new guns LOL (who doesn't). 7mm-08 has got my attention, don't know anyone that owns one, I also got a 94' 30-30 I will use on the real wet snowy days in the bush.
 
A 270 is a dandy deer rifle with the added advantage that a 270 pushing a 130gr lead's ballistics are absolutely Identical to a 300 winmag pushing a 180gr lead.

You can pick up one, or the other and they'll put their respective bullet in exactly the same spot if you aim them the same. ;)
 
Your from Southern Ontario and heading north. The longest shot you will get is 100 yds. Sounds like your doing some dogging so the range will be far shorter.

You want light to carry. Fast second shot if needed. Nothing fancy in the way of caliber.

Suggestions: Winchester Model 100 in .308, older models of the Remington 742 and 760, ,308 or 30-06. Also nothing nothing wrong with a good 12 ga slug gun set up. Any of the time proven lever actions. Winchester , Marlin.
Also the Ruger semi auto in 44 mag. is a dandy dogging gun. Topped with red dot type optics.

For a scope nothing more than a 1.5 x 5 and keep it set of 1.5 to give you the largest field of view as you will need it.

Your not in the west shooting deer at long ranges so you don't need a bolt action rifle with a high powered scope. It may look nice. But you will seriously handycap yourself here in Ontario with such a set up. You stated yourself you will be hunting in thick bush.

The best way to start an arguement in a hunt camp is to ask/state the best deer rifle and caliber. Because there are as many opinions as there are rifles and calibers
So have it gentlemen.
 
I'm a big fan of the 7mm-08, short action and lower recoil. However, as you are in the same situation as I being from the south, the 25-06 is a much more practical option (yes, some people actually buy rifles for practical reasons (and no, they are not all stevens 200)). It has been mentioned that the 270 and 25-06 can also be used for coyote or other varmint if you plan on shooting in the south. A 270 is too similar to your 300 win mag. A 25-06 allows you to take deer at a longer range, have a good rifle selection for other hunting, and hunt in southern ontario. If you are truly worried about meat damage then grab some 220's for your 300.
 
270 fast and flat good for short or long distances

try a Thompson Center Encore Pro Hunter

You can switch barrels and try all the calibres including rim fires, shotguns, muzzle loaders and magnums
 
powder burner said:
If i were to get a new rifle in the t3 series, i would take a good look at the .260 remington.

But thats because I already own a 7mm08. That .260 is a hot little cartridge.
Click to expand...

Dammm...that's exactely what I was going to recommend!
I think that 260 would be a real nice low recoil shooter with lots of deer/wolf potential :cheers:
 
I'd say 25-06 as I love mine but a lite fast bullet will damage meat. Mine with 90-120gr bullets does a lot of damage to coyotes. If I were to rifle hunt I'd take my 25. I took a nice blk bear with it this year and it dropped her in its tracks. Nothing wrong with a 30_30 either
 
Suka said:
A 270 is a dandy deer rifle with the added advantage that a 270 pushing a 130gr lead's ballistics are absolutely Identical to a 300 winmag pushing a 180gr lead.

You can pick up one, or the other and they'll put their respective bullet in exactly the same spot if you aim them the same. ;)
Click to expand...

That means their trajectory is the same. Ballistics means trajectory, velocity and energy figures, which are definitely not identical in this case.
 
If I were going to buy a Tikka t3 I would not waste the action length with a 308 based cartridge.
It would be a 270 all the way, more that enough for deer in Ontario and probably enough for an Ontario moose as well.
257 Roberts
 
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