All around varmint/deer caliber?

[Robert Wilson]

In my opinion the .243 is very minimal for California deer, which are often some mix of mule deer and blacktail. They aren't huge, but they aren't tiny, either. The .243, with good bullets (no plastic tipped blow-up bullets, please) will do the job, but you'll need to wait for good opportunities. A .243 through the ribs tight behind the shoulder will work every time. A .243 angling through the shoulder might not.

The .25-06 is just about perfect for California deer, again assuming a decent bullet. Everyone has their own tolerance for recoil, but most folks find the recoil of the .25-06 acceptable. And there is plenty of good .25-06 ammunition available from the factories. Something like the Black Hills Gold loading of the 100 grain Barnes Triple Shock would be outstanding (especially if you'll be hunting in a "lead free" zone) but even the basic Remington Express 100 grain Core-Lokt will do just fine.

The .270 is a grand cartridge that will do for anything on the continent short of dangerous game. But it is more than necessary and does recoil a bit. The average rifleman would probably rather eat worms than admit that a .270 kicks, but in the 6 1/2 pound rifle you're looking at, the .270 is going to come back at you a bit. Can you master it? Probably - but it's something to be aware of.

If you were my son I'd recommend the .25-06 to you.

 

[sappyg]

if i get a little nervous i might pull the shot a little and wish i had something a little bigger.

hey leonard,
it doesn't matter if you gut shoot a deer with a 270 or a 243. either way you got problems brotha.

when the time comes your caliber is only academic. you will only get nervous afterword. mostly

 

[snake284]

Hello Leonard, I'm new here, but we just had this question on another gun forum I belong to. If it's me, seeing that you want to hunt varmints and deer, I would go the 243 route. You can load it with light 55-60 grain bullets for varmints or load er up with 100 grainers for deer size animals. It's a very versatile caliber rifle. I alos like the .250 Savage, the .257 Roberts, and the 6mm Remington. The only problem is that those three are a reloading only deal. Youi can find cartridges for all of them but they may not be what you need. With old or nearly obsolete cartridges, reloading is sometimes your only option.

 

[Robert Wilson]

Another .243 fan from Texas. Huh.

 

[Leonard23]

Ok as to the kick of the .270, how would you guys compare it to shotguns if that is possible? I have turkey hunted a fair amount and shot alot of shotguns mainly 12 gauges so if it is less than that then i think i can deal with it....if not then i might have to reconsider

 

[snake284]

You are exactly right sir. I spoke too soon when I recommended a 243. However, I did also recommend a .257 Roberts. Of course it's more or less a handloading proposition, but it would do well and wouldn't be overkill. He might could find some factory ammo. Some 87 grain hollow points would be great for varmints and the 100 grain Remington Core Lokts would be more than enough for deer. However a good 110, 115, or 120 grain, if he can find it in factory ammo would be great for deer too.

 

[viking499]

If you reload, 6.5x55 is a good choice.

 

[Durty]

Get whatever you want. If you want a 270, get one. If you want a 243, get that. But I promise you-and so will everyone else on this forum who has killed a few animals- shot placement is the most important factor. It's more important that having an extra 30 grains of lead hitting a deer. Do not think that using a bigger caliber is going to give you a huge margin of error because that's not necessarily true. Whatever you get, take it out and get nice and comfy at the range with it so you are confident in your shots in the field.

 

[snake284]

OK, I thought I posted here, but I cannot see my post yet. I think I hit the wrong button. Anyway here goes again.

Leonard, at first I thought the 243 would be a great option, however I live in Texas where we have smaller bodied deer than a lot of places. Some one recommended the 25-06, which can double nicely as a deer and varmint rifle. The 243 might be a tad light for where you are.

However, there might be another option for you to try, the .257 Roberts is a good deer round or maybe even the 250 Savage. Both will shoot heavier bullets than the 243 and on bigger animals it might be a better option for you. The only problem with these two is ammo availability. You can buy ammo for both, but you would probably have to get it online. But either one with a 115 or 120 grain bullet would be much better on larger bodied deer. JMHO

edited: Oh there it is, I see my post now that I have posted again. Oh well, I need to learn how to navigate this place better.

 

[sappyg]

12 gage 870 with 3" high brass turkey loads.... freakin' unpleasant. turkeys suck! i'd rather watch oprah winfrey reruns with an out of work gun show dealer on saturday than shoot that again.
12 gage 1100 2 3/4" #8 pfffft
3" 20 gage beretta O/U ouch! somebody get me a towel. my shoulder hurts. sure would be nice in a 28 gage.

243 feels more like an 1100 with #8 to me only a bit more abrupt.

 

[Robert Wilson]

I love the .257 Roberts and urge any new hunter to strongly consider it. But it's not chambered in the rifle the OP is looking into.

Leonard, if you're comfortable with a 12 gauge you should have no trouble with any of the cartridges you've mentioned, even in your light rifle.

 

[Leonard23]

Thanks everyone here is the situation as i see it now: .25-06 is probably the perfect caliber for what i want but i would most likely have to order ammo online, .270 is maybe a little overkill and heavier recoil, .243 has lots of recomendations and would probably do the job just fine but might not if it hits the deer wrong. Keep the information coming guys, thanks

 

[Leonard23]

Also i never heard an answer from my previous question, will a 1:10 twist rate be sufficient to stabilize a light .270 bullet?

 

[frankenstein406]

Hello Leonard, I'm new here, but we just had this question on another gun forum I belong to. If it's me, seeing that you want to hunt varmints and deer, I would go the 243 route. You can load it with light 55-60 grain bullets for varmints or load er up with 100 grainers for deer size animals. It's a very versatile caliber rifle. I alos like the .250 Savage, the .257 Roberts, and the 6mm Remington. The only problem is that those three are a reloading only deal. Youi can find cartridges for all of them but they may not be what you need. With old or nearly obsolete cartridges, reloading is sometimes your only option.

We never have a problem finding 6mm ammo neither does our neighbor. there amazing guns.

Don't be scared of the recoil. get a good butt pad to help out your shoulder . I think 308 would be good or 270. I just picked up a like new REM 700 308 synthetic scope package for $300 but Idk what your budget is.

 

[crazybushman]

i know this might sound stupid to some of you americans but all the deer i have ever shot in new zealand were with .22lr and .223 i would strongly suggest 223 with the right ammo .there are alot of reds,sambar,fellow and some white tails in the forest i live next to

 

[sappyg]

will a 1:10 twist rate be sufficient to stabilize a light .270 bullet?

yes

 

[Leonard23]

I don't disagree that the .308 is a great cartridge but i think it is more of a deer only rifle with slightly heavier bullets and i am looking for something that could do both deer and varmints

 

[Leonard23]

Also, would a 100 gr remington pointed soft point .270 work well for varmints or is it to solid for that? Thanks

 

[epijunkie67]

Take a step back for a sec and answer something. Are you wanting a rifle you mostly use to hunt deer and sometimes use to shoot a few varmints? OR, are you looking for a varmint and target rifle that you will sometimes use to hunt deer?

If the MAIN reason you are getting the rifle is to hunt deer, then get something you'll be comfortable using to hunt deer. Can the .243 take deer? You bet. Tons of people use them and if you use the right bullet you shouldn't have a problem. BUT, if you don't feel comfortable using it as a deer gun then quit twisting yourself up over it. Buy what you REALLY want. Otherwise you are going to look at it every time you get it out and say "Man, I really wish I'd bought XXX instead".

If the main reason you are getting the rifle is to plink and varmint shoot then I'd get the lighter recoiling round. Heck, depending on your ranges I might not even get a .243.

Bottom line, get what you'll be most comfortable using.

 

[GuysModel94]

The ideal cal. for what you want would be the 7mm-08, recoil like a 243, hits like a 308, and shots flat like a 270; however ammo is pricey, so you would want to reload to hold down cost. The 25-06 is a good round also, but again pricey; the 243, to keep cost low may be your best bet.
Junkie is right about getting something YOU want, pick everybodies brain, then make up your own mind; i also believe fit, feel and balance are just as important!!

 

[nathan]

Mine is the .25 06 . I m using 100 gr BT for varmints , antelope and small deer. 120 gr SP for bigger deer.

 

[Art Eatman]

After tagging some two dozen bucks with my .243, I figure it's just as good for an Olde Phart as for a youngun. I pretty much limited myself to no more than around two hundred yards, generally--but that's not any hard and fast rule.

Leonard, pulling a shot with an '06 is just as bad as pulling a shot with a .243. One thing that will commonly help is not to really look at the entire deer: Focus on that one particular spot that you're trying to hit. That focus will help avoid "buck fever" from the adrenalin rush. When you make yourself think about that, you won't just "shoot somewhere in the brown".

It's all about precision and consistency. Reflex actions and "muscle memory". That comes from trigger time, which is why a .22 is so valuable.

 

[artee]

For .270, a 1/10 will do just fine for varmint bullets. Over 30 years of .270 use, and 1/10 has stabilized every 90/100/110 grain bullet made by Hornady/Speer/Sierra/Winchester I've shot. The problem is will it "over stabilize" and be inaccurate or will it blow jackets. I have NOT found either to happen. They have liked 130s/150s better--and should as they are longer and more a match for a 1/10 twist. But I could always find a good, 3200+ fps "varmint weight" handload. I've never had a .270 Win that caused "blue streaks"--or bullets that disintigrated enroute to target due because of too rapid a spin. The manufacturers have got the jackets down. I have had good expansion out to 250 yards, but can't say past that on varmints. I have hit milk jugs at 3-400 yards and they still show evidence that the bullets are fragmenting. You won't have any problem with a .270 Win and varmnt bullets.

For recoil, I agree that a 12 ga trap load ( 1 1/8 oz at 1135 fps) has more felt recoil than anything on your list including 220 gn .30-06's. Then again, a shotgun pattern on clays can cover up being off (usually to 8:00) due to a flinch, too. But if you're shooting "turkey loads" well centered on a turkey (or target) you likely aren't flinching and with more recoil than a trap load.

 

[dan3]

Leonard23 Of the 3 calibers you listed, I'd suggest the .243 - its good for varmints and deer and the recoil won't knock you around. If you do your part (shot placement !!) the .243 is fine for deer. It's also a great caliber for new shooters to learn on.
The .25-06 is great for long range varmints,deer,pronghorn, etc. The cartridge has more power but kicks more than the .243.
The .270 is a great deer cartidge and has taken elk (with precise shot placement).It has more power and kicks more than the .243
All 3 are usually easy to find at most sporting goods stores, gun shops, etc.

No matter which cartridge you chose - you MUST learn to shoot accurately and learn the anatomy of your target animal - shot placement is more important than size of the bullet. I have and use everything from .22lr to .458 WinMag. While I love the .338Win Mag and larger - I find myself usually taking one of my 7x57s when I go hunting - its not a big powerfult magnum, doesn't shot like a laser beam...but if I put the bullet in the right place - the animal doesn't know the difference, it just drops!.

Which ever you chose...practice, practice, practice. Good Luck

 

[pikid89]

go with the 243...my 11 y/o sister killed 2 deer with one shot out of her 18in rem 700....power aplenty