california deer rifles

[220weu]

i was just wondering what calibers of rifles would be best for medium sized bucks i was thinking of the 7mm-08 or the 25 wssm and i am a younger person i am the son of 220weu so i looking minimum recoil i dont mind it but a minimum would be great

 

[Klong]

I would suggest the 7-08 mainly because of the range of bullets available. You could use it with confidence for anything from varmints to elk. Load it with 120 grain bullets for most small deer if you are concerned about recoil. I would suggest if shots are under 200 yards loading down a 140 gr bullet though. A good 120 gr will work. I would think factory ammo would be more readily available for the 7-08 also. Good luck!

 

[BoydAllen]

You might enjoy a .243 or a 25-06. I have had good reports on both from Ca. hunters with a great deal of experience. A .270 with 130 gr. bullets will do the trick as well.

 

[220weu]

thanks for all the help I'm probably gonna narrow it down to a 243 or a 7-08

 

[BigJim]

Son I am not sure what type of deer you have in CA but I would expect it to be more to the Mule Deer than White Tail. This would be a longer range shot for Mule Deer.

I love my 243 more than any other gun in my collection, but I wouldn't use it for Mule Deer. I would take my 270 instead. I do not know much about the 7-08 but if I were you I would go to the local gun shop and see what type on ammo they have on the shelves and in what quantity. You may find that it is easier to get 270 ammo than 7-08 and at a better price.

One nice thing about the 270 is that you can get loads with 110 grain heads that will produce less recoil for you, and after you get use to that you can move up to 130 grain heads for larger game. The 270 will shoot flatter and to a longer distance than the 243.

Good Luck and Good Hunting
Big Jim

 

[rudedog]

I don't know about big or mule deer,I always thought they looked like a Doberman with horns compared to deer in other states.

 

[Preacher]

The 7/08 will do whatever you need it to do, and will do a darn good job doing it.
Lots more bullet weight choices than the 6mm or the 25 caliber make it a plus also..
120 Ballistic tip will put any deer down you choose to stick one into.........

 

[FryeGuy]

well, Barrett has a new rifle out that is California legal, and it will field dress and qtr the deer for you, finding the qtrs may require some tracking. lol. the 7-08 is a great round. works great on elk. i would recommend the 120 sbt or 140 sbt. I am guessing your dad and maybe yourself reloads. i like the 243 as much as anyone, and own one now but not a 7-08. but when i go hunting i will grab my 260 remington over the 243 any day, and the 7-08 is just a little bigger.

 

[220weu]

thanks for the info i still really like the 7-08 because of the wide range of bullets i could reload it for anything from varmints to big game but i'll keep the others in mind thanks.

 

[NorthFork]

If you are hunting black tail deer use a 6mm with a 87 grain hollow point.I have killed over a hundred black tail deer with my 6mm. If you are going to hunt mule deer. Then go with a bigger caliber gun. I use a 270 or a 308 on white tails and mule deer.

 

[220weu]

i think i got my rifle picked out i probably going to get 308 because the ammo is so cheap i could sit out all day and shoot and i wanted a rifle that could reach out there thanks for the info