Help Me Choose a Caliber
10-31-2007, 03:03 PM
#32
Fork Horn
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location:
Posts: 141
RE: Help Me Choose a Caliber
I have a .243; 7mm-08 and a .308. These cover the bases pretty well for varmits to black bear. I don't see much difference in recoil between all three of them when using 100 grain .243, 150 grain .308 and 140 grain 7-08; but that's just me. I am sure there is some difference but I don't notice it. I like the .308 but must agree that I like the 7-08 a whole bunch as well. It has not been baptized yet; but perhaps this year? Centerfire season is big buck or no shoot for me anymore. I like to save my tag for flintlock season.
I have heard real good reports on the 7mm-08 as a whitetail round but the opportunity to evaluate it's performance has not presented itself yet.
I have heard real good reports on the 7mm-08 as a whitetail round but the opportunity to evaluate it's performance has not presented itself yet.
10-31-2007, 03:44 PM
#33
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,476
RE: Help Me Choose a Caliber
To fit all your criteria and still stay UNDER the 15.0 recoil energy I'd have to say there probably isn't a better choice than the 308 or the 7mm/08, and if it weren't for the availability and price of ammo the 6.5 X 55 is as good if not better than either of the other two.
That said, there are some other rounds that hover a little over the 15.0 mark you set, and may not have as many choices of rounds off the shelf, but nonetheless have been killing deer at 200 yards for a while now..... 7 X 57 Mauser, 8 X 57 Mauser, 300 Savage to name them ... the rest have either been mentioned already or they have been left off because there aren't many loadings available on the shelves. And there are still others that are wonderful except that finding the ammo is pretty rough ... like the 257 Weatherby Magnum ....it'll do your 300 yards all day long, but it's a bit on the tough side to shop for ammo.
I assume you want to be able to buy ammo at nearly every hardware store or Meijers around. And if you could stand just a tad more recoil, the 30/06 will cover your mentioned needs, and then some.
That said, there are some other rounds that hover a little over the 15.0 mark you set, and may not have as many choices of rounds off the shelf, but nonetheless have been killing deer at 200 yards for a while now..... 7 X 57 Mauser, 8 X 57 Mauser, 300 Savage to name them ... the rest have either been mentioned already or they have been left off because there aren't many loadings available on the shelves. And there are still others that are wonderful except that finding the ammo is pretty rough ... like the 257 Weatherby Magnum ....it'll do your 300 yards all day long, but it's a bit on the tough side to shop for ammo.
I assume you want to be able to buy ammo at nearly every hardware store or Meijers around. And if you could stand just a tad more recoil, the 30/06 will cover your mentioned needs, and then some.
10-31-2007, 08:17 PM
#38
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 2,862
RE: Help Me Choose a Caliber
243
243 will kill deer beyond 300 yards with ease, I know, I've done it on quite a few occassions.
If not a 243 I'd get a 7mm-08.
If not a 243 or a 7mm-08 then I'd get a 308.
If not a 243, 7-08, or 308 then i would get a 270.
If not................
243 will kill deer beyond 300 yards with ease, I know, I've done it on quite a few occassions.
If not a 243 I'd get a 7mm-08.
If not a 243 or a 7mm-08 then I'd get a 308.
If not a 243, 7-08, or 308 then i would get a 270.
If not................
10-31-2007, 08:30 PM
#39
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Port Neches, Texas
Posts: 5,514
RE: Help Me Choose a Caliber
My choice with the given criteria would be the .243. With good 100 gr. bullets, it's as deadly as it gets on deer! I also like the .308, but I think it is going to go a little over the 15.0 recoil mark and to me, it is a sharper recoil than the 30-06.
I have already decided my next gun is going to be the .243! Better yet, a 6MM Rem. but the 6MM ammo is not as easy to find as .243 ammo. If you stock up you can keep a good supply of 6MM ammo. You just won't find it everywhere!
Running out of ammo on a hunting trip ain't too smart though!
The bigger problem with the 6MM Rem. is finding a new one! Remington has the only production gun that I've found in 6MM. If anyone knows of any others, please let me know!
I have already decided my next gun is going to be the .243! Better yet, a 6MM Rem. but the 6MM ammo is not as easy to find as .243 ammo. If you stock up you can keep a good supply of 6MM ammo. You just won't find it everywhere!
Running out of ammo on a hunting trip ain't too smart though!
The bigger problem with the 6MM Rem. is finding a new one! Remington has the only production gun that I've found in 6MM. If anyone knows of any others, please let me know!
