looking for a old man's rifle

[Link]

Had open heart a few weeks ago. With deer season coming up in a couple of weeks I know I can't shoot my ol 7mm mag. [It reached out to 400 yds nicely] So I guess i'm looking for a rifle with less recoil. One that won't kill on both ends. Ideas?

 

[joshb]

.243 too much, ya think?

 

[Doug Beach]

6 Creed, 6.5 Creed, .260, .243. Tikka makes a great off the shelf rifle. Any of the above will zap a 400 yard deer, if you the shooter can hit a dinner plate at that distance.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

6.5 Creedmoor’s will be plentiful and priced well.

 

[choprzrul]

If I were in your shoes....Remington M700 in 257 Roberts: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1131769986

Second choice would be a BAR in 25-06: https://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/bar/bar-safari-tribute-mid-grade.html#Whitetail

Either one of the above I'd be using the .257 90gr Absolute Hammer.

 

[DShortt]

I've a soft spot for the 308Win. But it's not exactly a softie. I've a .260Rem that'll get the job done and is more polite.

 

[lawman29]

243, 6 and 6.5 creedmoor, and 7mm 08.
However whatever you decide have a good muzzle brake installed - makes quite a difference if you've never experienced it.

 

[357Mag]

Had open heart a few weeks ago. With deer season coming up in a couple of weeks I know I can't shoot my ol 7mm mag. [It reached out to 400 yds nicely] So I guess i'm looking for a rifle with less recoil. One that won't kill on both ends. Ideas?

Link -

Howdy

I DK how far out you want your rifle to be able to “ reach “ ?

If you are willing to make deer kills closer in, then maybe a .35 Remington M-336 ?
These are reloading friendly and also cast bullet friendly; and you can adjust your “load “ ( and perhaps engagement range ) accordingly.

A whole bunch of powders suitable for use in the .35 Remington, lie in the “ burn rate “
band of proven “ benchrest “ powders.

Besides semi-auto and pump action .35 Remingtons, there are also simpler single-shot rifles that came chambered in .35 Remington. One even sees the occasional rebarrelled Mauser chambered for the round.

Another bolt gun idea, would be a .250-3000.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[madmixerman]

Had open heart a few weeks ago. With deer season coming up in a couple of weeks I know I can't shoot my ol 7mm mag. [It reached out to 400 yds nicely] So I guess i'm looking for a rifle with less recoil. One that won't kill on both ends. Ideas?

Why not get a muzzle brake put on your 7 mag?

 

[RabbitSlayer]

Any of the creeds with a brake.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

A Baked, 6.5 Creed shootin' 130 grain, ELD-M's at, 2,850 fps with practically NO, Recoil is, Perfect,.. IMO
Good on Steel Plates to, 850 yds for Me and You'll probably have, NO Problem, Hitting a Deer at, 5-600 yds !
Funnest Rifle,.. I've EVER, owned ( Tikka T-3X, 24", lefty w/ a PVA, Back Country, Brake )
The 6.5 Creed replaces, a .243 Win and a .270 WSM that, I gave my grandson.
The NON-Fluted T-3X Lite, Tikka's can be, Threaded,.. 1/2"-28 tpi.
PVA Brake and Threading, was a little over, $300 IIRC w/ Fed-X shipping.

 

[Kevin1990]

Id try and find a .243 or 6.5 creed threaded for a break. A threaded howa barreled action from brownells and throw it in a KRG bravo or boyds stock and brake it. If I was spending your money, I'd do that and probably have all of it here by the end of the week

HOWA M1500 SUPERLITE 243 WINCHESTER BARRELED ACTION

Check out HOWA M1500 SUPERLITE 243 WINCHESTER BARRELED ACTION available Online at Brownells Today and many more Rifle Receivers & Parts products are available in our Gun Parts Department.

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Bravo Chassis – Kinetic Research Group

kineticresearchgroup.com

 

[TC260]

For minimal recoil and given that deer season is upon us (may not have time for load work ups) I'd look at the LGS and see what ammo is available first and then decide. If ammo is available my order of preference would be 22 Creed and then 6mm Creed or 243.

After a lifetime of reloading I remember the first time I went the factory ammo route. On a Fri at lunch I stopped at a pawn shop and happened to see a 25-06 that caught my eye. Bought a couple boxes of ammo and took off early for the deer camp. Stopped at the range on the way to sight in and took a nice buck with it that evening. I remember chuckling to myself and thinking boy that sure was a lot easier than the way I've been doing it all these years

 

[Leo_B]

Given that recoil is surely the criteria this table is very interesting to me. I hear a lot of positive on the .204 Ruger and it is quite moderate on the list. And while many preach and praise 6.5 Creedmore it is very much higher on the list. Good luck figuring things out.

Rifle Recoil Table: Updated for 2024 with all popular cartridges – Backfire

backfire.tv

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

I started off with the 123 gr. M's and really Liked, the NO Recoil, "thing",..
Decided to try, the 130's as only, 7 grs More, But have, a 10% Higher B C,.. STILL,.. NO, Recoil !
Full House 143 gr., ELD-X's at 2,735 fps,.. I can Feel,.. "a Bit" so, My "All around" Steel, Varmint and Deer Load will Be, the 130's using the 143's Only for, an Elk at under, 500 yards ( If I decide to ever, go again ).
PS; I also Have, a LimbSaver recoil Pad, on this Rifle.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

A Braked .243 Win. or, 6mm Creed with, 85 to 95 gr fact. Ammo would also, work Well,.. IF in, a Time Crunch !
My grandson has Killed 2 Big, Heavy Horned Mulies, in Southern Idaho with, my old Tikka .243 Win., using, 87 gr Bergers, Both,.. DRT,.. in a Jump or, Two, at around, 300 yds !

 

[Hipshoot]

Your 7mm Mag. a muzzle brake and handloads with 120gr. Sierras at 3000FPS>

Hip

 

[K22]

243 Win with 85 Sierra BTHP's. However, all my experience with this combo is under 200 yards.

 

[B y r o n]

Different states have different minimum calibers for deer hunting. You didn't mention what state you're hunting in so no way of providing accurate information that will assist you. Good luck on your search.

 

[Buttstock-TX]

My post open heart surgery build was a 404 Jeffrey which arrived about a month afterword. I actually had a friend go with me to break in the barrel but started shooting it myself at about 4 months post-surgery as I seem to recall.... I would think a .308 with a muzzle break would work in your situation as would any 6.5 with a break.