This is what I'm starting to think to. This spring I might get a .223 for fun plinking and small stuff, then in fall move up to maybe a .308 for deer and long distance. And you're right, you can never have too many guns haha we'll see how the shoes to guns thing works out...
Need some help choosing hunting rifle caliber
- Thread starter mxracer_84
- Start date
This is what I'm starting to think to. This spring I might get a .223 for fun plinking and small stuff, then in fall move up to maybe a .308 for deer and long distance. And you're right, you can never have too many guns haha we'll see how the shoes to guns thing works out...
Applefarmer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Lime Stone City
Odd no one suggested the 7.62x39 CZ or Norinco. Works for deer and cheap ammo available.
I went the 2506 way myself as it hits harder then a 243. I wanted a flat shooting mild mannered gun for southern Ontario ground hogs and song dogs but still be able to take deer. I reload 75gr vmax at 3500fps. It mystifies ground hogs and drops coyotes right there and I load 117gr interlock for deer and bear. I love this caliber. I've taken small game coyotes deer and black bear with it. It will handle moose as well but personally I'd go bigger heavier bullets and caliber
Methinks the question over 25/06 vs .243 is just an continued argument of their parent cases (30/06 vs .308).
All will work for what your wanting if you do your part.
Personally for me it comes down to ammo availability and rifle choices.
I found .243 ammo to be more available in our area and our island deer are rather small in comparison to the mainland deer.
But once we escape this island I'd have no problem with perhaps owning a 25/06 someday given the longer shooting ranges and increase in the size of the critters.
I'm not experienced enough with the .223 cartridge to feel comfortable using or recommending it for use on deer.
All will work for what your wanting if you do your part.
Personally for me it comes down to ammo availability and rifle choices.
I found .243 ammo to be more available in our area and our island deer are rather small in comparison to the mainland deer.
But once we escape this island I'd have no problem with perhaps owning a 25/06 someday given the longer shooting ranges and increase in the size of the critters.
I'm not experienced enough with the .223 cartridge to feel comfortable using or recommending it for use on deer.
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Out of your 3 choices in your situation i'd go 25-06 and start reloading.
I went 308 out of the gate. Started hand-loading for it. Use it for hunting, varminting and target shooting/plinking. That was 2 years ago. Saved my pennies and will now be picking up a 223. Can't hunt with 223 here so it will just be a paper/gopher/coyote puncher.
I went 308 out of the gate. Started hand-loading for it. Use it for hunting, varminting and target shooting/plinking. That was 2 years ago. Saved my pennies and will now be picking up a 223. Can't hunt with 223 here so it will just be a paper/gopher/coyote puncher.
If you want to shoot deer do not buy a .223. Not legal to shoot deer with .223 in the prairie provinces. It is legal in BC.
.223 would be great if you did not want to go for big game. If you are concerned about ammo cost, why not get a .308 win.
I have many high power rifles, but shoot the .308 win the most. I just purchased a crate of Norinco non corrosive .308 win for $420/1040 rounds.
If you are not so concerned about the ammo cost, get a 25.06. It is good for varmits and light/medium size big game. I have taken Elk/Black Bear with 25.06 and all one shot kills. I could have selected larger calibre rifle for these hunts, but the 25.06 is so nice to shoot it is hard to leave at home.
.223 would be great if you did not want to go for big game. If you are concerned about ammo cost, why not get a .308 win.
I have many high power rifles, but shoot the .308 win the most. I just purchased a crate of Norinco non corrosive .308 win for $420/1040 rounds.
If you are not so concerned about the ammo cost, get a 25.06. It is good for varmits and light/medium size big game. I have taken Elk/Black Bear with 25.06 and all one shot kills. I could have selected larger calibre rifle for these hunts, but the 25.06 is so nice to shoot it is hard to leave at home.
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
Pretty sure it is legal in MB. Not is sk though
I was in a similar situation when I bought my first gun. I went with a .243 because I could do everything with it. If I was able to do it again I would buy two rifles - A .223 with a heavy barrel for targets and varmints, and a lighter .308 for hunting big game. I found it was too expensive to do any real target shooting with .243 (almost $1 per shot after taxes etc.) and that I had to compromise in barrel thickness. I had to choose either a heavy barrel (great for targets) or a lighter barrel for hunting and live with the consequences.
If I didn't live in a province that restricts centerfires to .23 cal and smaller for 9 months of the year I would not own a .223 hunting rifle it would be a range toy. Instead I would choose a .25-06 since it has a little more do all umph compared to a .243. But since my province has silly game laws I own a .223 in a stevens 200 that has been used (with great results) to hunt deer and I like its performance as much as I do the .243 for deer. I would use either one and will use the .223 again but both require careful consideration and aren't what I would prefer as a beginner.
223 for whitetail yes. 223 for mule deer no.
For the hunting uses you listed 243 is the obvious choice.
Are you really going to limit yourself to deer? Because I'd throw my hat in with the .223 + .308 crowd. Get the .223 semi used and start plinking. When fall's getting closer take the money you saved on the 223 and pick up a bolt .308.
For the hunting uses you listed 243 is the obvious choice.
Are you really going to limit yourself to deer? Because I'd throw my hat in with the .223 + .308 crowd. Get the .223 semi used and start plinking. When fall's getting closer take the money you saved on the 223 and pick up a bolt .308.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
That's not old fashioned thinking, just sensible.
Yes, we have 70 lb fawns here. We also have 300+ lb bucks. I try to choose the caliber that's more than adequate for the largest member of the species I'm hunting that I may encounter.
Leave the 223 for coyotes. If you want a caliber for plinking and practice, you can't beat a 22 LR.
I have owned a 25.06 and a .243 ( my current Savage model 16 stainless)
The 25.06 had the edge for larger game but ammo is a little harder to find at times.
I hunt deer primarily and have had some one shot kills, with my 243, with the longest distance about 300 yards. I would feel confident using the 243 for black bear, but I wouldn't feel that it is adequate for Moose.
Both are excellent and flat shooting. The recoil is minimal.
I have no experience with the .223, but the 25.06 and 243 are more versatile, with some good bullets for smaller varmints and larger deer. i have never had a problem with availability of ammo.
The 25.06 had the edge for larger game but ammo is a little harder to find at times.
I hunt deer primarily and have had some one shot kills, with my 243, with the longest distance about 300 yards. I would feel confident using the 243 for black bear, but I wouldn't feel that it is adequate for Moose.
Both are excellent and flat shooting. The recoil is minimal.
I have no experience with the .223, but the 25.06 and 243 are more versatile, with some good bullets for smaller varmints and larger deer. i have never had a problem with availability of ammo.
