+1.
what is the best caliber for a lower recoil, easy to get ammo for,deer rifle.
- Thread starter hardek
- Start date
I own one centerfire rifle, a Santa Barbara M1000, chambered in 7x57 and it is all I need to be honest. I have shot plenty of rifles and I like 7x57 and 257 Bob the most. You can buy factory 7x57 ammo from a variety of manufacturers (Federal, Hornady, Norma, Privi, Remington, S&B, etc.) usually 139 - 175 grain projectiles. If you don't want 7x57 but you want similar ballistics 7mm-08 is a good choice too and often more available.
My brother has a modern Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in 30-06. It is a great gun with controlled feed and an awesome trigger.
My brother has a modern Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in 30-06. It is a great gun with controlled feed and an awesome trigger.
looky's got the answer right here!
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
That is my experience as well. When I tried to locally sell a a 788 in 7-08, none of the locals, with the exception of the terminally gunny, had ever heard of it, and wanted something more familiar to them, with ammo that was locally available. As a result, it took some time to unload it. The local store does carry both .243 and .270, but there's little that the .243 does that the .270 doesn't do better, thus its more versatile, particularly if you ever choose to handload. I own a .243. I like shooting the .243. Its wonderfully accurate, mild mannered, and there's a broad range of bullet weights and styles available for it. But the .243's niche as a hunting rifle cartridge, is sometimes difficult to establish, except to say that because I prefer small case .22s, the .243 would be my choice over a .22-250. It shines up here as a seal cartridge, and as a caribou (barren ground) and wolf gun. Down south, I think it would be an effective antelope cartridge, but as factory loaded is a little harsh on coyote pelts, so there is an argument that the .22 centerfires are better varmint guns, and the .270 is a better big game cartridge.
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So, the flip side of that coin is that it takes two rifles to do what one .243 accomplishes?
All theoretical to me as I can't ever imagine owning only one or two (or three, four, five or six rifles for that matter)... But, I am certain that there will always be a .243 in the cabinet. I could live life comfortably and without compromise with only four cartridges (centerfire).
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
You say that as if were a bad thing.
But what I was getting at was that for the one rifle owner, the .270 is the equal of the .243 as a varmint cartridge, I've used it successfully in that role, and is far and away a better big game cartridge.You say that as if were a bad thing.
Twer I a ONE rifle owner, it wouldn't be a .243 or .270... but I currently own three .243's and only one .270, and that .270 is begging to "hit the road." I just have to find a suitable replacement for its niche...
I've hunted and done a lot of shooting with the 30-30 and I would classify it as a 200 yard and under rifle, except it is harder to find in a bolt gun. Saying it is only good for 100 yards, really does not do the 30-30 justice. It's got low recoil, ammo is so easy to find it is outrageous, it is easy to reload, and it does the job nicely. Matter of fact, I've got three 30-30's and could use several more.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Enter the .280 Ackley.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
No argument from me, a old Brno 600 in 7X57, with 140 gr TSXs loaded to 2900 will solve any problem directed to it in this country. I still can't believe I sold mine.
There is no 'best' anything. And everything is reloadable. Some are just easier than others for finding components.
However, any .24, .25, .26 or .27 calibre will do nicely for deer and varmints with a change of bullet. Mind you, varmint hunting is the best practice for deer season. Varmints don't care what bullet kills 'em.
Look in Crappy Tire. If they have it, everywhere will. Then buy a .243 or .270. .270 if bigger than deer(elk/moose, but not black bear.) ever gets considered. Otherwise, it's the action length you like that matters.
Isn't easy to find 7 x 57 ammo.
However, any .24, .25, .26 or .27 calibre will do nicely for deer and varmints with a change of bullet. Mind you, varmint hunting is the best practice for deer season. Varmints don't care what bullet kills 'em.
Look in Crappy Tire. If they have it, everywhere will. Then buy a .243 or .270. .270 if bigger than deer(elk/moose, but not black bear.) ever gets considered. Otherwise, it's the action length you like that matters.
Isn't easy to find 7 x 57 ammo.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
You know what makes a 10lb hunting rifle lighter?
A few weeks with set of barbells.
Before I was hunting obsessed I was weight room obsessed, made it to the top few in the province for powerlifting in university, and hunt mountains. You're unfortunately dead wrong though I used to think your way, then I was introduced to mountain hunting. Or anything where a real walk is involved, even.
No argument from me, a old Brno 600 in 7X57, with 140 gr TSXs loaded to 2900 will solve any problem directed to it in this country. I still can't believe I sold mine.
My only 7X57 at the moment is a M70 Featherweight... but I am on the hunt for another, since I let a sly old dog talk me out of a beauty...
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I thought I was pretty tough, thinking little of putting on 20 map miles across rough rocky ground interrupted by wide stretches of wet tundra, or a dozen miles across endless snow scapes, then I visited the mountains. My sea level lungs and flat ground legs set me straight in a hurry, and I quickly saw the practicality of the elusive 5 pound hunting rifle. So they don't point, like that matters when you're gasping for air.
