YAGT: Which caliber for a varminter/ deer rifle....

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Shockwave

Banned
Sep 16, 2000
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Looking for a precision rifle that can function well for both varmits and North Amercian hunting (Deer, antelope).
As of now, I'm thinking of going with a .243, 6mm Remington or .260 Remington. Really not sure which though. Thoughts? Any other calibers I should consider?
 
Nebor

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
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76
My Colt AR-15 has taken down East Texas white tail and Oklahoma prairie dogs. Just have to have the right load for the job.
 
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Shockwave

Banned
Sep 16, 2000
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Originally posted by: Nebor
My Colt AR-15 has taken down East Texas white tail and Oklahoma prairie dogs. Just have to have the right load for the job.
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.223 is illegal to hunt deer with EXCEPT in Texas. Thats because Texas has these large dog things they call deer. Get farther up north where the real deer live... ;)
Anyways, yeah. Cant hunt deer / antelope with a .223
 
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BadNewsBears

Diamond Member
Dec 14, 2000
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.243 is pretty versatile. Smallest i'd take a deer with. Very flat traj with the samller winchester silver tips, my dads getting either a rem 700 or a H&R for himself in 243. I just bought a savage 12bvss. Its the most accurate out of box gun right now. It won rifle of the year award. YOu should read up on it, and its trigger. VERY HIGHLY recommended.

YHPM
 
Nebor

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
AR-10 with a .308 then. :p

I've never had a dear survive a shot w/ my AR-15 though. They might run a couple dozen yards, but they always die. Just like shooting a man, placement is important. Of course, you might argue, if you only need one shot, why carry a semi-auto rifle w/ 20 rounds? Because there are wild hogs in East Texas, and they are very dangerous. After a long time of carrying either a 20-06 and a 30-06 with a Colt Python, I decided I'd just consolidate and carry the AR-15. Plus it's just so rugged, I can run through a thicket without worrying about scratching up a fine wood stock.

Sorry, I'm rambling. AR-10. :D
 
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BadNewsBears

Diamond Member
Dec 14, 2000
3,426
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Originally posted by: Nebor
AR-10 with a .308 then. :p

I've never had a dear survive a shot w/ my AR-15 though. They might run a couple dozen yards, but they always die. Just like shooting a man, placement is important. Of course, you might argue, if you only need one shot, why carry a semi-auto rifle w/ 20 rounds? Because there are wild hogs in East Texas, and they are very dangerous. After a long time of carrying either a 20-06 and a 30-06 with a Colt Python, I decided I'd just consolidate and carry the AR-15. Plus it's just so rugged, I can run through a thicket without worrying about scratching up a fine wood stock.

Sorry, I'm rambling. AR-10. :D
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Orr,,,Something with style and class. Something like my browning BAR semi auto in 270. four in mag one in tube. Its THE most beatifull gun I have seen.
 
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Shockwave

Banned
Sep 16, 2000
9,059
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Originally posted by: Munchies
.243 is pretty versatile. Smallest i'd take a deer with. Very flat traj with the samller winchester silver tips, my dads getting either a rem 700 or a H&R for himself in 243. I just bought a savage 12bvss. Its the most accurate out of box gun right now. It won rifle of the year award. YOu should read up on it, and its trigger. VERY HIGHLY recommended.

YHPM
Click to expand...

Yeah, I really like the .243, but I wouldnt touch a deer with less. I like the fact the recoil is minimal, makes a good varminter and I can turn around and field it for deer as well. Very versatile. Plus the wife can shoot it. A very good selection of loadouts as well. I also want something thats high accurate as well, I almost want to go with a 6mm BR but it doesnt *quite* have the oomph of the .243 and I dont want to sacrafice any hunting performance for a smidgen more accuracy.
As for the Savage, I know alot of guys really like them but I borrowed one of my friends Savage .223's while back home and was disappointed with it. It was a bolt action and had occasional feed problems. As such, I'm looking at either Sako or Tikka for my next purchase.
 
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Shockwave

Banned
Sep 16, 2000
9,059
0
0
Originally posted by: Nebor
AR-10 with a .308 then. :p

I've never had a dear survive a shot w/ my AR-15 though. They might run a couple dozen yards, but they always die. Just like shooting a man, placement is important. Of course, you might argue, if you only need one shot, why carry a semi-auto rifle w/ 20 rounds? Because there are wild hogs in East Texas, and they are very dangerous. After a long time of carrying either a 20-06 and a 30-06 with a Colt Python, I decided I'd just consolidate and carry the AR-15. Plus it's just so rugged, I can run through a thicket without worrying about scratching up a fine wood stock.

Sorry, I'm rambling. AR-10. :D
Click to expand...

.308 is a bit much for varmint duty. Works well the first 10 shots, then the shoulder starts to complain. I do want an AR in my collection, but right now I want a fine bolt action light weight small caliber gun so i dont blow my shoulder off after a day of shooting praire poodles and that still has the oomph for deer. And as I said, .223 is illegal for deer duty in every state but Texas. ;)
 
Nebor

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
Originally posted by: Munchies
.243 is pretty versatile. Smallest i'd take a deer with. Very flat traj with the samller winchester silver tips, my dads getting either a rem 700 or a H&R for himself in 243. I just bought a savage 12bvss. Its the most accurate out of box gun right now. It won rifle of the year award. YOu should read up on it, and its trigger. VERY HIGHLY recommended.

YHPM
Click to expand...

I got a Remington 7mm Magnum about 3 years ago, that thing is a beast. The first hunt I took it on, a buddy (w/ a 300 mag) and I were standing down at the camp site, just glassing around through our scopes, when almost simultaneously we see a doe at long, LONG range, I'd guess between 300 and 600 yards on a hillside. So I take a shot, and a split second later, he takes a shot, the deer goes down. We hike across a creek and up the hill. Get up there, and the deer has two legs, the other two had been blown off at the body, and were a few yards away. The area as hosed with blood.

That's my 700 Mag story. I never took it on another hunt, mainly because I can't bring myself to take it to the range, because of the recoil. But if I ever need to hunt bigger game, I'll have it.
 
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Shockwave

Banned
Sep 16, 2000
9,059
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I have access to a 30-06 for big game duty. I'd pack it for anything in North America, barring *maybe* end of summer brown bear or polar bear. Even then I'd feel confident packing the good ole 06 in the field, although it may be a touch on the small side.
 
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BadNewsBears

Diamond Member
Dec 14, 2000
3,426
0
0
Originally posted by: Shockwave
Originally posted by: Munchies
.243 is pretty versatile. Smallest i'd take a deer with. Very flat traj with the samller winchester silver tips, my dads getting either a rem 700 or a H&R for himself in 243. I just bought a savage 12bvss. Its the most accurate out of box gun right now. It won rifle of the year award. YOu should read up on it, and its trigger. VERY HIGHLY recommended.

YHPM
Click to expand...

Yeah, I really like the .243, but I wouldnt touch a deer with less. I like the fact the recoil is minimal, makes a good varminter and I can turn around and field it for deer as well. Very versatile. Plus the wife can shoot it. A very good selection of loadouts as well. I also want something thats high accurate as well, I almost want to go with a 6mm BR but it doesnt *quite* have the oomph of the .243 and I dont want to sacrafice any hunting performance for a smidgen more accuracy.
As for the Savage, I know alot of guys really like them but I borrowed one of my friends Savage .223's while back home and was disappointed with it. It was a bolt action and had occasional feed problems. As such, I'm looking at either Sako or Tikka for my next purchase.
Click to expand...


Child! Let me show you the way of the savage. The new savages are SO much better.(end of 03 and up) read this review and tell me you dont want one.(Im not biased, tikkas are nice, my rem 700 is nice, my BAR is nice, but my savage is nicest)

http://www.gunblast.com/Savage_12BVSS.htm

Now top it off with the awesome Mueller eraticator and you have my soon to be combo. The rifle arrrives on the 4th. YAY!!
 
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BadNewsBears

Diamond Member
Dec 14, 2000
3,426
0
0
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: Munchies
.243 is pretty versatile. Smallest i'd take a deer with. Very flat traj with the samller winchester silver tips, my dads getting either a rem 700 or a H&R for himself in 243. I just bought a savage 12bvss. Its the most accurate out of box gun right now. It won rifle of the year award. YOu should read up on it, and its trigger. VERY HIGHLY recommended.

YHPM
Click to expand...

I got a Remington 700 Magnum about 3 years ago, that thing is a beast. The first hunt I took it on, a buddy (w/ a 300 mag) and I were standing down at the camp site, just glassing around through our scopes, when almost simultaneously we see a doe at long, LONG range, I'd guess between 300 and 600 yards on a hillside. So I take a shot, and a split second later, he takes a shot, the deer goes down. We hike across a creek and up the hill. Get up there, and the deer has two legs, the other two had been blown off at the body, and were a few yards away. The area as hosed with blood.

That's my 700 Mag story. I never took it on another hunt, mainly because I can't bring myself to take it to the range, because of the recoil. But if I ever need to hunt bigger game, I'll have it.
Click to expand...

My 700 happens to be a 7mm remington magnum, it was my uncles moose gun, wears a old school leupold 3-9. Ive used it for coyotes. Scary results.
 
Nebor

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
I meant 7mm Mag. Sorry, it's late, and I was thinking 300 mag. Mine also has leupold glass on board. Cost nearly as much as the rifle I believe, my dad gave it to me when he found out I had gotten a new rifle.
 
bradruth

bradruth

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
13,479
2
81
Originally posted by: Munchies
Originally posted by: bradruth
30/30 Winchester?
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Ever look at the ballistics of a 30-30. My dad had a marlin lever,man does it drop like a ROCK. Its quite sad.
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I killed my first deer with a 30/30. :D
 
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Shockwave

Banned
Sep 16, 2000
9,059
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0
30-30's make good deer rifles, of that theres no doubt. But hell, the vital section of a deer is bigger then a praire poodle!! So, while ballistics on a 30-30 are decent for deer, I wouldnt really take it out for varmint duty with any seriousness.
Hell, the 30-30 has killed more deer then any other rifle caliber in North America. Its a damned fine rifle, easy to shoot, very managable recoil, decent loadouts available. Excellent starter rifles. But, just wont quite fit the bill for what I need.
 
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