Low recoil, flat shooting, deer options

[Mark W]

i have two .243s and a .240 Wby Mag in my collection. Any of them would fit the bill. I'm running a brake on one of the .243s and can watch the bullets hit. It's a pretty heavy gun but the recoil feels less than any of my .223s.

As much as I like the 6mm bullets I'm thinking of getting a 6.5 something for longer range hunting. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to shoot steel a 600 yards back to back with a 6.5-284 and one of my .243s. The 6.5 hit considerably harder at that distance.

 

[long40shot]

Why a 243 Ackley?

Little to no case stretch. Velocity gain.

 

[Tommie]

250 Savage. Really.

 

[dkhunt14]

A 243 with a 85 grain Sierra HPBT is all you need for deer. I have killed deer with many different cartridges and that combo is lethal. No recoil even in a light gun. I know of at least 6 bears killed with this also and all were one shot kills and they didn't move. Matt

 

[lawman29]

I concur with all of the recommendations on a .243. If you insist on going up some then a 6.5 Creedmoor (Lapua is coming out with brass after the 1st of the year).

 

[tmx199]

7mm-08 with hornady reduced recoil loads have minimal recoil and hard hitting!!!!

 

[timeout]

6 Dasher, 8 twist, 105 Berger HVLD'S, Harrell's radial brake. Modified Kwik Klip detachable magazine, feeds like butter. Leopold VXR 4-12X50 3 dot illuminated reticle. Top dot to 200 yards, middle dot 300 yards, bottom dot 2 1/2" high @ 400 yards. Almost no recoil and will bust any whitetail deer in WI. Barrel is a Krieger #3 Sporter contour. Stocky's thumbhole stock, pillared and Devcon bedded. I like 243's but love this Dasher.

 

[ar15topgun]

.257AI Roberts

 

[jonbearman]

My choice would be a .243 win, 260 rem, 308win,6.5x55mm swede etc with a good brake and it will be as pleasant as shooting a pellet rifle so to speak. You really cant go wrong with any of them including putting a good brake on what you have.

 

[kountryboy2]

25-06 and don't look back.

 

[500Stroker]

I'm currently an A-Bolt .280 Rem (50 something) shooter, primarily for deer in Wisconsin and will be having a shoulder replaced early next year. The Doc told me no more high power rifle trauma on the new shoulder so my question is this...
I love the ballistics of the .280 Rem and am looking for a reasonable replacement to this in a low recoil option for next year's hunt. I shoot the Remington Core Lock 165g. Soft Points, as I've never had a deer walk away from one shot, as I have with the plastic tipped bullets.
I'm looking at the 7mm-08, .260 Rem or .308 Win, and am favoring the .260 Rem for the flat shooter that it seems to be.
Any input on the pros and cons of these and or other options would be valuable in my decision.
Thanks

I have a bad neck and I shoot a 6.5 Creedmoor with a brake from Savage , no problems. 140 gr Sierra does a number on Deer.

 

[eric32]

6mm BR

 

[snert]

First, realize that bullet mass and velocity will up recoil. Stock design will mitigate "how" it is felt/delivered, but I suggest dropping down to 85-115 grain bullets of good design, use a brake and use a soft pad. You will have to change your philosophy on bullet design...and realize that it really does not take a 165 of "whole" caliber to swat a deer effectively. When I quit using a 30-06 and 165's I went to a 6mm and 85 grain bullets. The deer I shot died sooner and better. I also changed HOW I hunted...no more walking and wacking at jumped deer. Now I snipe em. So I could change to a lighter bullet and select my shots, which turned me into a more humane deer killer.
Now I am content with a light 308, a 243, a 6BR, and for really long stuff requiring energy, I shoot a 7mm mag and 150 BT. My pistol is a 357 Herrett with 180 grain SSP bullet. Never had a deer go more than 30 yards after a hit from it. And it has recorded kills to 175 yards.

So I agree with these guys...brake it and run lighter. Try several...243, 260, Creedmore, they all seem to be in the right place.

 

[rebel]

I've killed a pile of deer with a 243 and an 85 grain partition. As snert said, think sniping.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I prefer the .243.

 

[Albany Mountain]

243

 

[endurokids]

Thanks to everyone, I have plenty of good info to think about now.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!

 

[shootist7]

Is shooting on the other shoulder, switch hands, an option?

 

[fredo]

My first knee/jerk response to this type of question is, to ask a question of my own:
"do you reload?"

If you don't, the .243Win makes great sense. Plenty of rifles chambered in .243Win, and ooodles of decent factory deer ammo for it.

If you DO reload, then that opens up a whole, big, wonderful can o' worms to explore! Lots of efficient ways to put holes in a deer, and ya sure don't hafta absorb much recoil to do it...

But yeah, default setting answer for 'light recoil' and 'deer rifle' is .243Win. For lots of good reasons...

Have fun!

 

[6MMsteve]

6.5x284 is a fine cartridge