?? 600 YARD DEER KILLER ??

[farmview]

I'am not new. but not old ether.

I am billding a rifle to Hunt wight tail deer. And to shoot to billd up my skills to shoot beter.

I am looking for a caliber in the (SHORT ACTION) that will kill a 120LB-275LB wight tail deer at 600 yards?

I know that harvet bullets at impat. Haf to go grater than (1950Fps to expaned!!!) Or the bullets act like a FMJ.
I am not shor about Energy (ft/lb) I need. I think 800ft/lb

I think of 243 win or 7mm-08. you tell me.

UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I live in the MISSOURI flat farm land syobins & Corn.
I am bilding a custom rifle off of a Savage Varmit short action with a small shank.
I wont a caliber that i can shoot 20 rounds a in a day
and not HERT so no Magnoms.
and till kill a deer to a 600 yard Limit.

how a bout these 243win,7mm-08,6.5x55
I am leening to the 7mm-08.

 

[2506]

Forget the 243 for much over 300 yards on deer. The 7mm-08 would be OK. I would take a long look at the 260 Remington with at least a 24 inch tube or the 6.5-284. I have a 6.5X55 Swede (long action needed) and the 260 Rem does the same thing in a short action and it does a very nice job on deer to 600 and a little farther. The longer the barrel the better.

 

[j_22250]

short action??? 270wsm, 7mm wsm, 300 wsm.......257 ai,260 rem or ai, 6.5x284, 7mm-08, .284 & .308. if your wanting a dedicated long range rig look into .264 dia. cartridges and up. a 6.5x284 would be better outta a long action, but i think you could make it work outta more of a medium length short action like a howa or savage. btw a .270 win. will kill a deer no problems out to 600.

 

[MarkS]

farmview,

I would go with the 308. Very large bullet range 110 to 240gr. Barrel life is great. accuracy is great.

Mark Schronce

 

[j_22250]

i agree a .308 will get the job done. but if you gonna be hunting with it then i definatly recomend one with a flatter trajectory. unless you practice tons and now the drop of a .308 than i think it's safe to say a flatter gun would be less forgiving. ofcourse more than likely it will be hit or miss with .308. your choice. i've alwasy wanted a 7mm-08 and i consider it to be the baby of the 7mm family. you can't beat a 270wsm for being a factory round. it beats out the 6.5x284 and 7mag with the right hanloads and factory ammo can be had for alot less than most magnums. 7wsm might be jst a hair better tho. with that said i luv both my .308 and 270wsm!!

 

[cliffy]

I would go with .243 Winchester with 100 grain Speer Grand Slam bullet up to 350 yards, beyond that, like 600 yards, I'd go for .375 H&H loads of 180 grain prowess and hope for the best. Cliffy

 

[people]

Out of those two the 7mm would be better. I know you are not really shooting truly the big Bambi out there so you should not need the biggest and baddest rifle out there. Any of the short mags should fill the bill nicely. I use a 308 and am very happy with it. I am in ND and the wind almost always is blowing 12 to 25mph. Longer shots with the 308 tend to get hard and I have passed on a few because of the wind. More power is better when it starts getting to be a long shot. It helps with mistakes in wind and range. If you are off a little it can be a wound very fast. While it is true no matter how much power you have in your bullet it will not fix a flubbed shot.

With that being said whatever you pick just be sure you get something that has the power to take deer at those ranges you want to hunt and the cost is in the range you can afford to practice with it at those ranges.

My brother has truly jumped into the long range shooting and hunting game so he went and down loaded every ballistic program out there thinking it would take up some of the slack for not being able to get out shooting as much as I can. I gave him all the data I have on my 308 and he must have pulled a hand full of hair out, because my gun drops far faster with 175gr SMK bullets than any program said it should. With 168's it is close enough for hunting. There is no amount of planning that can actually get you real world experience. You have to send bullets down range to get that information.

 

[sharps]

PEOPLE HIT IT DEAD ON!!!! 600 YARDS IS A HELL OF A LOT FARTHER THEN YOU THINK, A LOT OF BAD THINGS HAPPEN BETWEEN YOU AND 600....HE IS EAST OF ME AND WE HERE
IN MONTANA DEAL WITH MULTI DIRECTIONAL WINDS IN ONE
600 YARD SHOT THAT STOP AND START FASTER THEN YOU CAN THINK AND EVEN WITH A 338 LAPUA THERE WILL BE A W FACTOR
THAT IS RANDOM AND UN-CALCULATABLE, I'V WATCHED 6BR
SHOTS MOVE 18 INCHES IN 400 YARDS WITH 2 DIFFERENT WINDS
VISIBLE ON THE SAGE BRUSH......TO ELIMINATE AS MUCH MECHANICAL ERROR THE 338 LAPUA, CEHY-TAC FAMILY WOULD BE WHERE I WOULD LOOK FOR 1 SHOT 1 KILL 600
YARD HUNTING BUT THE TRADE OFF IS GOING TO BE YOU
GOTTA BUILD A BIG RIFLE AND SET UP ON A ESTABLISHED
SPOT TO SNIPE BECAUSE A 408 CHEY TAC IN A 8 POUND RIFLE
SHOULD MAKE YOU SEE JESUS...EVERYTHING IS A TRADE OFF
BUT MURPHY'S LAW WORKS OVERTIME AND THE RATIONALIZATION THAT A 6BR CAN SHOOT 3 INCH GROUPS
AT A THOUSAND YARDS SO YOU DON'T NEED A LONG HEAVY
BULLET THAT STAYS FLAT FOR 600 WILL RESULT IN A LOT OF
WASTED ENERGY AND MONEY....STUDY WHAT THE SNIPER RIFLE GUYS ARE DOING.....THE MANUFACTURERS ARE WORKING OVER TIME CREATING LONG-LONG-LONG RANCE CALIBERS AND
BARREL TWISTS TO SHOOT DEER SIZE CRITTERS (PEOPLE)
WITH 1 SHOT 1 KILL.........

 

[cliffy]

I merely meant via my "stupid" remark that 600 yards is a STUPID range to shoot at any deer. Luck shots are rare, but do not make a 600 yard deer rifle. TRY to GET closer, please! cliffy

 

[barrowsr]

I've got to agree with Cliffy. While prairie dogs might let you set up a bench rest and lob shells to the horizon hoping to land one on a varmint. Deer will not sit still for such activity. There are lots of rifles and calibers capable of 600 yd kill shots on deer - none of them are light enough to carry and shoot under field conditions.

Robin

 

[SEB-USA]

I'am not new. but not old ether.
I am billding a rifle to Hunt wight tail deer. And to shoot to billd up my skills to shoot beter.
I am looking for a caliber in the (SHORT ACTION) that will kill a 120LB-275LB wight tail deer at 600 yards?
I know that harvet bullets at impat. Haf to go grater than (1950Fps to expaned!!!) Or the bullets act like a FMJ.
I am not shor about Energy (ft/lb) I need. I think 800ft/lb
I think of 243 win or 7mm-08. you tell me.

Of the two I would go with the 7-08 with either the 162 A-Max or the 168 Berger. I have seen the 162 A-Max work great on four different antelope this year (I know this is smaller than deer many times) over a variety of distances: from 200 yards to beyond 600. The Ballistic Tips and the Accu-Bond would be other bullets I would consider.
Neither would be my ideal preference for 600 yard field shooting at deer.

Once you get your rifle set-up the main thing you need to do once load development is done is practice from field positions (without wind flags) out and beyond 600 yards, so you can learn what your skill level is in different conditions. This will also help you verify your down range zero's (confirm your drop chart) with actual field data. All of this will tell you if you are ready for your goal of 600 yards. Intentionally go and practice in days of high wind and on days when the wind is gusty or switchy. This will be both educational and humbling. Stay off of the bench and do all your practice from field positions. 600 yards is not as impossible as some might think. I would step up in horsepower myself, but the 7-08 will get the job done. When the time of truth comes and you are convinced you will hit the deer in the vitals (because of your practice in similar conditions), pull the trigger. If, there is doubt, wait for better conditions or get closer.

 

[Rtheurer]

It seems this long range hunting thing is a little touchy on this sight. You might want to go to the LONG RANGE HUNTING forum. there is a ton of information there
I guess If I had to give advice to a guy looking to take game at that distance, this is what I would say.
#1 You must have the skill, that comes from shooting at distance way beyond what you want to take deer at. You need to practice... ALOT
# 2 You must have the equipment, Your rifle must exume the amount of eneregy at the distance you plan to take game. Your rifle must have enough accuracy at that distance. You will need a good range finder, you will need to know how to read wind and maybe own a windmeter to help with that.
#3 You must have knowledge, you will need to know every little aspect of how your rifle reacts on a coldbore shot. Do you know the area?

#4 You need to practice or... you need to practice. and when your done practicing you need to practice some more. Its a cold crappy day out you better go out and practice in that too.


I can tell you that Im Not STUPID as I have taken deer farther than that. But you know what?
I shoot ALOT. like Thousands of rounds a year. I wear out at least one barrel a year and sometimes two. I do not take this lightly as no one should. Its alot of work but like my dad used to tell me anything worth doing is worth doing right.

Of all the calbres you listed I would, go with a 7mm or the 260 rem.
If it was me I would opt for a 7mm WSM or RSAUM if your stuck on this short action thing.
Why are folks stuck on this??? Nothin wrong with a long action you only need one shot anyway. They are a dime adozen in a pawn shop.

Hey dont forget to practice!!!!!

I aplaud you for comming out here and asking questions. that is the start and shows you want to research things and do it right. You have to start somewhere.
Good on you.


My best regards Sir
RussT

 

[squirrelduster]

I would go with .243 Winchester with 100 grain Speer Grand Slam bullet up to 350 yards, beyond that, like 600 yards, I'd go for .375 H&H loads of 180 grain prowess and hope for the best. Cliffy

You can't be serious!!!
Hope this guy doesn't listen to you. Everybody likes the 243 but it is not a valid long range cartridge.

Go with one of the 7mm magnums - 7 WSM, 7 SAUM, or even the Remington. The 168 Berger VLDS will provide the punch you will need at long range. I have a Savage 7mm WSM and with the 168 Berger it shoots under an inch at 300 yards. Cheap gun that drives nails.
Rtheurer had some great points. Practice, practice, and more practice will get you comfortable in taking that long shot.
Make sure you have the rifle with the accuracy capacity and shoot it a lot and 600 yards is not that tough. Shoot a lot of rocks and other stuff in the field.

Do some research on longrangehunting.com.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[farmview]

THIS IS THE POSTER!!!!!!!
Thank you xphunter, squirrelduster, & Rtheurer for the Info.

Yes i plan on Practiceing, Practiceing, Practiceing, Practiceing and practice some more!!!!!![/]

600 Yards is going to be my Limit!! I'am Looking for a caliber that I can Practice with and not hert!! or be a plegr to shoot alot. And still kill a wight tail deer at 600 YARDS.
So i thot that 7mm-08 or .243 wold be a good one. If you all have a beter one tell me.

WAY!!!! Billd a Rifle to practice with and not go Hunting with it. WAY!!!! Lern on one caliber and then go with anether caliber to Hunt with WAY!!!! buy anether reloading die
WAY WAY WAY!!!!

I allredy got the (Action only) Savage Varminter Action Stainless and Detachable box Magazine whith AccuTrigger for $455 to door. Thay do not sell a Long Action.

I will Trad for a Long Action if i can not find a caliber that fits My Reqiermens in the (SHORT ACTION).

UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!
I live in the MISSOURI flat farm land syobins & Corn.
I am bilding a custom rifle off of a Savage Varmit short action with a small shank.
I wont a caliber that i can shoot 20 rounds a in a day
and not HERT so no Magnoms.
and till kill a deer to a 600 yard Limit.

how a bout these 243win,7mm-08,6.5x55
I am leening to the 7mm-08.

 

[SEB-USA]

So i thot that 7mm-08 or .243 wold be a good one. If you all have a better one tell me.

Farmview,
Since I primarily hunt and shoot with single-shots, I am not the best one to tell you which cartridges would fit in a short action. Here is a couple that might work in a SA, but may be better suited for a long action. Again, I would prefer more than the 308 family, but the improved version would help. Some others are the 6.5-284 or 284 Win or the 7mm SAUM. I would like the 7SAUM more simply for less wind drift. Wind is the nemesis of LR hunting, and more speed combined with a high BC bullet gives you more fudge room when shooting in wind.

Let me add, that I have taken deer and antelope out to 600 yards with the same performance level as the 260 Rem and 7-08, but when it comes to recommending to someone else I tend to encourage more speed/less wind drift.

 

[Klong]

I have taken deer beyond that distance and would recommend the 7wsm/saum or the 30 wsm. I have had good performance with the SMK and Berger bullets.

Conditions have to be right for me to take a long range shot. I carry a Kestrel for reading the wind speed. I generally do not shoot long range in wind graeter than 10 mph. I will shoot in higher wind if shooting directly into or directly with the wind. (wind value zero)

I would prefer to close the distance, but the current lease I hunt does not allow walk hunting. You are suppose to shoot from your stand. This is a land owner requirement for safety purposes.

My rifles have muzzle brakes because I do not normally have a spotter to help me spot. With the brakes, I can spot my own shots past 300 yards

Whatever you choose you will need to know accurately the velocity, the drop, and the wind impact on you bullet. It does take some skill to make such a shot on a consistant basis.

At the shot you need to know exactly where the animal was when shot (this is true at any range) , but does get magnified as the distance increases. If you are looking for blood or the animal 50 yards from the actual shot, it makes for a difficult find.



good,luck!

 

[squirrelduster]

e: ?? 600 YARD DEER KILLER ??

I have a 7-08 and purchased a 7wsm because it has way better ballistics for longer ranges.
If you have a Savage short action all the WSM rounds will fit. You would need a new bolt face.
I have a fairly new 7wsm factory barrel that I pulled off my rifle if you are interested. It shot consistently under 1/2" at 100 yards. I also have a plastic factory stock sitting under the bench.

 

[PAshooter20BR]

Farmview,

come on over to PrecisionLongRangeHunting.com

We will gladly assit you to meet your long range hunting needs.

Check out the 6.5x47 Lapua. 140 Bergers...it is a good answer to your question.

Ethical hunting doesn't come down to yardage. It comes down to the skill and equipment set. I know of plenty of deer that are wounded with a bow and arrow here in PA every year at 10 yards. So what makes hunting "ethical" its what happens before, during, and After. A hunter is ethically hunting if
1) A hunter decides to only take a shot that he is confident he can make based on his skill level and equipment level.
2) A hunter uses his skills to make the best attempt at a fatal hit on the animal
3) A hunter does EVERYthing in his power to recover the animal that he has attempted to harvest.
Ethical hunting comes after the shot just as much as before.
I have seen rifle hunters walk away after firing a shot at a 50 yrd deer because the animal did not go down. When I investigated later, I found the animal had been hit and which I was able to recover.

Long range hunting is not just about your gun and how much you practice. Animal behavior plays a huge role. Knowing how an animal acts in its home turf can play a huge role in determining an ethical shot. Spend time watching deer at long range can play a good role at learning when are prime moments to take the shot.

Just my 2 pennies.

 

[cliffy]

Some few marksmen with LOTs of constant practice can subdue a deer at SIX HUNDRED yards, but those are premier shooters and FAR above the norm! Let's consider the average deer hunter who practices only twice before a deer hunt. I shoot twice a week average, so I feel above average. I would never consider a shot to be deadly beyond three hundred yards, and merely a luck shot beyond 500. Cliffy

 

[cliffy]

Caliber aside, what is your sight picture are 600 yards? Can you truly say you can hit in the heart a tiny deer-sized object? Most honest people would say not! 600 yards is not a viable deer range. Bullet drop is tremendous at this extreme range. We are talking three feet or more, and usually more. Only a few masters of trajectory could even conceive of such a shot. Regardless of caliber, 6mm being the flatest shooting, let the deer go rather than wounding it severly, too die in the woods, unfound. cliffy