Low recoil, flat shooting, deer options

[jakelly]

I'm not saying this is what you should do, but if I owned a 280 and wanted to reduce recoil, I'd rebarrel to a 6mm AI. This would be mostly because I've wanted one on a LA for almost 20 years. Throat it long enough for 105-115s, stoke it with slow powder, and super cruise those slippery bullets @3400, and let the good times roll!

 

[Drop Port]

Yes I reload and using the other shoulder is not an option.
I also like the .260 option but I'm not a Savage or Remington fan, more of a Browning guy.
That being said I was looking at the Tikka selection but finding a stocking dealer is not easy around here.
I live by the Brux Barrel crew and could do another build but that gets expensive in a hurry for a hunting rifle.

First decide on the rifle, if you go with Tikka they are on the light side. Then see what cartridges they offer it in, this will give a short list to choose from. At reasonable distance a fast low recoiling, lighter bullet 6mm, 25, 6.5 cartridge will kill a deer just as dead as a reduced load or slower larger cartridge, in my experience much quicker.

 

[johnmventers398]

the 260 in my opinion would be what your after. what i would highly recommend is putting a moderator on it if it is legal in your state. they are exactly like brakes but with the plus of not having the abhorrent boom to go with the brake.

 

[savagedasher]

The only way you can get both is for the bullet to be small diameter and lite weight . Next you can make the gun weight more which reduces recoil .
Third you can use a brake .
My 300. WBY mag weighs 12 lb and has a brake with 150 GR bullets it is pleasant to shoot has low recoil flat shooter and loud .
Never have had a deer take a step after shooting it .
I feel a 308 with 120 GR reduced recoil loads and a brake is the way to go . All my grandchildren shoot that combination .
Larry

 

[AckleymanII]

Shoulder replacement means reduce the recoil to nothing, not some. All 6.5's kick to much, even with a brake.

243 with a Gentry muzzle break-80g tipped triple shocks

22/250 with Gentry muzzle break even better-55g-63g

Also, use a 8 .5 lb rifle at a minimum, Limbsaver recoil pad

Don't take any chances, and I have had 3 shoulder surgeries.

I wear Peltor Tac 6 Electronic ear muffs, now I hear the grunts, short wheezes that deer make that I never heard without the Electronic ear muffs

 

[hdxr750]

Give some thoughts to a 250 AI or a 250 - 300.

 

[gemihur]

I've never felt at a disadvantage using a pistol ... 7-30 Waters

 

[farmerjohn]

Just put a good can on the rifle you have, it will do away with the noise and recoil, trust me I know... those brakes work IF, you want to spend every minute of your hunting time with ear muffs on or plugs in your ears. And sooner or later you will forget and ruin one side of your hearing....
John

 

[Hohn]

Creedmoor and other 6.5s are the most sectional density you can get in a reasonably light-recoiling bullet. By far the best killing power for the recoil (the 6.5x55 still reigns in Europe for this reason).

A braked 6.5 is something anyone of any size can handle. A 140 at 2500fps is more than adequate for anything from deer to short range elk.

I have chronic neck and shoulder issues and even a full power Creedmoor at 2800fps (140 BTHP) is all day tolerable for me (<100 rds).

Heck, I'm shooting a 3x600 in an hour even though racked by pain.