Island Deer, what gun & caliber?

I feel the ideal cartridge for these Sitka blacktail would be a short barreled rifle in 260 Rem - 6.5 Creedmore - 7mm-08 even a 308 would work perfectly.

I have shot at least 20 deer on the Queen Charlotte Islands first three were with a 270 Wby because that was all I had.

A 22-250 accounted for at least 7 or 8 more all shots to the center of neck all were DRT.

I've also used 243 - 30-06 there.

Its been a few years since I've been there so have no idea if there are large logging cuts anymore or not if there are I would want a cartridge that would reach out to 300 yards.

If I ever go back I would take short 14" - 22" barreled single shot T/C Contender carbines chambered in 6.8SPC - 35 Rem - 375 Rem - 375 JDJ - 45-70 might even try out my Gonic 50 cal magnum muzzle loading barrel combo as well.

Gatehouse said:
Some are good at yapping but not too good at listening. Passing judgement is more fun than asking questions, right?

But this is really going off topic so maybe we should get back to Island deer cartridges.:shotgun:

Another cool option might be the 450 Bushmaster in a rifle like the Ruger American. With a 16.5" barrel and 5.5 lbs in would make a handy carbine, and should work great on big Island bears too. I can't stand the brake, but that's a personal thing.

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I recently purchased this rifle/cartridge combo mounted a VX2 2-7x33 long range reticle scope with the limited shooting I've down with it I would not hesitate to shoot 200 yards and once I have more experience with it re trajectories I would shoot deer out to 300 yards.

I currently load the following for it 200gr FTX - 225gr FTX - 240gr XTP-mag - 250gr FTX - 280gr cast GC - 300gr XTP-mags - 355gr cast WLNGC's and plan on loading 395gr - 405gr and 535gr cast WLNGC's when I figure out a starting load for these 3 bullets.
 
Camp Cook said:
I feel the ideal cartridge for these Sitka blacktail would be a short barreled rifle in 260 Rem - 6.5 Creedmore - 7mm-08 even a 308 would work perfectly.

I have shot at least 20 deer on the Queen Charlotte Islands first three were with a 270 Wby because that was all I had.

A 22-250 accounted for at least 7 or 8 more all shots to the center of neck all were DRT.

I've also used 243 - 30-06 there.

Its been a few years since I've been there so have no idea if there are large logging cuts anymore or not if there are I would want a cartridge that would reach out to 300 yards.

If I ever go back I would take short 14" - 22" barreled single shot T/C Contender carbines chambered in 6.8SPC - 35 Rem - 375 Rem - 375 JDJ - 45-70 might even try out my Gonic 50 cal magnum muzzle loading barrel combo as well.



I recently purchased this rifle/cartridge combo mounted a VX2 2-7x33 long range reticle scope with the limited shooting I've down with it I would not hesitate to shoot 200 yards and once I have more experience with it re trajectories I would shoot deer out to 300 yards.

I currently load the following for it 200gr FTX - 225gr FTX - 240gr XTP-mag - 250gr FTX - 280gr cast GC - 300gr XTP-mags - 355gr cast WLNGC's and plan on loading 395gr - 405gr and 535gr cast WLNGC's when I figure out a starting load for these 3 bullets.
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Do you think you can handload this to higher than standard (AR15 ) pressures as it is a bolt action ? Not sure how much more, but I think you could?
 
Gatehouse said:
Do you think you can handload this to higher than standard (AR15 ) pressures as it is a bolt action ? Not sure how much more, but I think you could?
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Break barrel designs are limited by the hinge pin/barrel as the weakest link... I have loosened and bent and broken a few while experimenting.
 
Gatehouse said:
Do you think you can handload this to higher than standard (AR15 ) pressures as it is a bolt action ? Not sure how much more, but I think you could?
Click to expand...

Yes most definitely I can load it hotter but have been thinking there really isn't any need to its already giving me appr 80'/sec faster than my 20" barreled Puma M92 in 454 Casull gives if I want more I'd grab one of my four 45-70's.

What I am working on is I've had an issue with the OAL of my 240gr XTP-Mag loads jamming up = what is happening is as I slide a loaded round into the chamber with the bolt the rear of the loaded round is dropping down in front of the next round in the magazine jamming everything up making it tough to even get the mag out.

I've checked overall length of my rounds out and have found that I am going to be able to load bullets seated out further by appr 1/8" longer OAL which in turn will give me more case capacity allowing me to load a bit more powder resulting in appr the same pressure levels but with a bit more velocities.

Gate is referring to the Ruger American bolt 450 Bushmaster bolt action rifle not my Contenders.
 
Camp Cook said:
Yes most definitely I can load it hotter but have been thinking there really isn't any need to its already giving me appr 80'/sec faster than my 20" barreled Puma M92 in 454 Casull gives if I want more I'd grab one of my four 45-70's.

What I am working on is I've had an issue with the OAL of my 240gr XTP-Mag loads jamming up = what is happening is as I slide a loaded round into the chamber with the bolt the rear of the loaded round is dropping down in front of the next round in the magazine jamming everything up making it tough to even get the mag out.

I've checked overall length of my rounds out and have found that I am going to be able to load bullets seated out further by appr 1/8" longer OAL which in turn will give me more case capacity allowing me to load a bit more powder resulting in appr the same pressure levels but with a bit more velocities.

Gate is referring to the Ruger American bolt 450 Bushmaster bolt action rifle not my Contenders.
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Well keep us posted. It seems like a fun rifle and a fun cartridge.
 
medvedqc said:
was wondering about the expansion of the tsx and ttsx with the small body but seems you got answered that part. thanks for the real life feedback.
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All the kills with the TTSX have been caliber size entrance, exit wound about 3/4 of an inch, and liquified organs connecting the two. Expansion seems to be pretty much instantaneous upon entry.
 
Get the bullets listed for the 45 Colt - 454 Casull - 460 S&W

XPB

45 COLT
Diameter .451
Weight 200
Length 0.757
S.D 0.14
Box QTY 20
Catalog # 30556

45 COLT
Diameter .451
Weight 225
Length 0.812
S.D 0.158
B.C 0.146
Box QTY 20
Catalog # 30558

454 CASULL
Diameter .451
Weight 250
Length 0.909
S.D 0.176
B.C 0.141
Box QTY 20
Catalog # 30562

460 S&W
Diameter .451
Weight 200
Length 0.811
S.D 0.14
B.C 0.16
Box QTY 20
Catalog # 30554

460 S&W
Diameter .451
Weight 275
Length 1.03
S.D 0.193
B.C 0.215
Box QTY 20
Catalog #30548

Barnes Buster
454 CASULL
Diameter .451
Weight 325
Length 0.904
S.D 0.228
B.C 0.206
Box QTY 50
Catalog # 30572

Spit-Fire TMZ (muzzle loader these should also work)

50 CAL
Diameter .451
Weight 250
Length 1.102
S.D 0.176
B.C 100yd .210
Box QTY 15
Catalog #
 
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I agree Vancouver Island has some great long shooting opportunities yes I have shot many Deer on the island and when I was a young hunter in the timber many close shots
most of that is gone now unless your hunting farm land but if our out in the logging slashes you will have many opportunities to shoot anywhere from 100 yards to 400 or 500 yards if your capable and have the good rifle scope and range finder its the new stile of hunting for some and changeling But looking for 50 yards shot good luck you most likely shooting deer in your yard or some tame farm deer.
 
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