a caliber for deer and target/varmint?

[meanmrmustard]

223 is darn near perfect for varmint, but for deer hunting it is marginal, poor ballistics and lackluster penetration limit the 223s effective range too much for many hunters. Where I hunt I could get away with it (Northwestern FL), but for those who regularly take shots in excess of 150yd or hunt larger then average deer the 223 is a BAD idea. 243 is a MUCH better choice for deer and long range paper punching.

Never given me an issue, past 150 but under 200. Penetrates quite well in fact, in one side, bigger hole on the other. This is keeping in mind the corn fed MO deer I have the pleasure of chasing. They're cows.

Forgive me, I don't believe in the word "overkill", but I am of the frame of mind that there is a such thing as too much gun, especially for a rifle doubling roles as a varmint/predator rifle AND a deer rifle. Mileage will vary on this subject, only because not everyone keeps hides. I prefer to, and find the .223 in certain situations at certain ranges fills my roles quite well. I've not had a complaint for the .223 thus far, doubt I'll find one.

 

[tahunua001]

I would say either 223 or 243. 243 is better at both and is legal in all 50 states where some ban the use of 223 for deer. my first rifle was a 243 and I love it to death. it's a great, flat shooter with lots of ammo options.

 

[x_wrench]

i agree with Able. 243 or 25-06. if you want more push on your shoulder, and or extended range, get one of the wssm's, 243 or 25. or of course, one of the small bore Weatherby magnums.

 

[H&Hhunter]

.308 win in a suitable bolt gun.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Based on the debatable standards of 1800ft/s and 1000ft-lbs of energy being good for cleanly and ethically taking down a deer, I came up with the following:

.222 Rem 24y
.223 Rem 77y
.220 Swift 160y
.22-250 164y
.243 Win 337y
6mm Rem 383y

These are the rounds that could theoretically be used for both. For deer, theoretically to the distances listed. I would personally only want to use .243 or 6mm on deer, but if 1800f/s and 1000ft-lbs is all that is required to take a deer, then I suppose they'd do the trick.

I excluded rounds like .17hmr which simply don't have the power for deer and anything bigger than a .243 caliber as too big for varmints. I suppose varmints can mean anything from squirrels to coyotes... I mean that they're too big for smaller varmints.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Based on the debatable standards of 1800ft/s and 1000ft-lbs of energy being good for cleanly and ethically taking down a deer, I came up with the following:

.222 Rem 24y
.223 Rem 77y
.220 Swift 160y
.22-250 164y
.243 Win 337y
6mm Rem 383y

These are the rounds that could theoretically be used for both. For deer, theoretically to the distances listed. I would personally only want to use .243 or 6mm on deer, but if 1800f/s and 1000ft-lbs is all that is required to take a deer, then I suppose they'd do the trick.

I excluded rounds like .17hmr which simply don't have the power for deer and anything bigger than a .243 caliber as too big for varmints. I suppose varmints can mean anything from squirrels to coyotes... I mean that they're too big for smaller varmints.

The 1000ft/lb thing is a bit academic, though. I don't really follow that "rule", but it's a good indicator of how much a round is peetering out at distance. I've had many through and through shots with excellent expansion from .223 rem waaaayyyy past 77 yards!

 

[v8stang289]

I would go with .270win or .243 . Both are excellent deer cartridges and shoot flat enough to work for varmints as well.

 

[Kachok]

The 243 is as fine a varmint round as has ever been created but on deer you need to pick your shots more carefully then the larger calibers. The 270 has more then enough speed/power for any deer and shoots plenty flat for varmint but you might have to cut your day on the prairie dog town short due to shooters shoulder, the 270 while not super harsh is no sissy kicker either. I say split the difference and get a good 6.5mm or quarter bore

 

[jehu]

I have killed a couple of crop damage deer with a 223 and 22-250 but would not go in season deer hunting with either ,But would with my 243 shooting 95gr Ballistic Tips.

 

[wlewisiii]

I'd go with .257 Roberts but .243 is in the same class and easier to find ammo for.

 

[Robbins290]

270 win

 

[akodo]

The 243 and 6mm were specifically designed to be combo deer and varmint cartridges

Some of the quarter bores like 25-06 and 257 weatherby also have the velocity to be real great varmint cartridges.

As far as target shooting, as long as the rifle is also going to be used for deer/varmint, I think they'd all be pretty muich the same, just different price per trigger pulls

 

[Maverick223]

The 243 and 6mm were specifically designed to be combo deer and varmint cartridges

Not really; the 6mmRem. (originally called the .244Rem.) was first designed with a twist rate that precluded it's use with heavy bullets, making it unsuitable (marginal at best) for medium game. This was revised (at which time they renamed the cartridge the 6mmRem.) after Winchester introduced the .243Win. which was capable of using far more capable bullets (it was designed this way from the ground up). Unfortunately this change came too late and the .243Win. was established as a standard chambering, whilst the 6mm faded into obscurity (I'm not aware of any production rifle manufacturer offering the 6mmRem. as a chambering).

 

[Flatbush Harry]

I have a .25-06 Rem 700 XHR for that role. It does well on white tails with a 115 or 117 gr bullet, is a dandy coyote round with a 100 gr bullet, does nicely with varmints with an 87 gr bullet and is accurate as can be with 100 gr Sierra MatchKings.

YMMV,

FH

 

[sansone]

.243win is great for deer, varmints, and the sierra 107gr pills have a BC of .48 for you long range shooters..

There have been other good choices mentioned but 243 commercial ammo is everywhere.

Look for a twist rate of 1:9 (savage, remington)..
Some shooters claim 90gr max pill for 1:10 twist

 

[Maverick223]

Some shooters claim 90gr max pill for 1:10 twist

1:10 should do fine with a 95-100gr. SP-spitzer, but OTM/Ballistic Tip match bullets won't.

 

[CountryUgly]

.270 but just because I'm a fanboy of the caliber. I've been hearing great things about the 6.5 Grendel as a solid all purpose round.