Deer Rifle

[RCCrawler]

One of my goals for this year is to shoot my first deer. I'll be hunting on the property that my great, great, grandparents homesteaded in Kansas.

For current rifles that could work I have a 1903a3, and what I believe is a Enfield that has been sporterized, both in 30.06. Those were both handed down from grandparents on the other side of the family. I'd prefer though to start with a modern firearm, as that is one area that my collection is hurting.

I've always had great luck with Savages so I'd like to start there, but what have you guys had luck with? Calibers?

For my use I could see this being used for paper, deer, coyotes, vaporizing prairie rats, and unless the shit hits the fan, nothing bigger than that.

[<MADDOG>]

Per your list: .243

55 gr for your varmints

80 gr+ for deer/loper

[Zombie Steve]

.243 would be a great choice, as would just about anything based off a .308 parent case - .7mm-08, 260 Rem.. .308 of course.

I certainly don't think you need to get into a long action gun like .30-06, .270, etc based on what you're planning on doing with it.

[rondog]

If the 03A3 is in good shape and you've shot it enough to get to know it, I'd use that one. It'll use any commercial .30-06 hunting ammo with no sweat. The Enfield should be .303 British, which would also be swell, unless it's a WWI American Enfield. I can't remember exactly what those were called (Pattern 14?), but that's likely .30-06.

.30-06 can be loaded with bullets from 100 gr. to 220 gr. and several different powders, for whatever shooting you want to do, probably one of the most versatile calibers ever made.

Might as well use the rifles you already have, IMO. But I'm a Cheap Old Bastard too.

[Zombie Steve]

Use what he already has?


Bo0000000000ring!!!

[ROFL2]

[Robb]

New guns are fun, but these days I'd use what you already have the throw the extra money into an ammo stash.

[Dave]

.338 Lapua would bring down a deer and make pink mist out of a pdog. Though, I'd seriously look at what you have. If they have been sporterized and you do not mind messing with them more I'd use the 1903 and see what kind of ammo you get the best results with.

[Mtn.man]

.338 Lapua ammo, 100.00+$ a box, could need an extra job for that hobby.

[buckshotbarlow]

I'd just use a truck, makes a mess but less to clean...

[Irving]

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/121053-Savage-Axis-223-*-Millett-TRS-1-*-Boyds-stock

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/124845-New-Best-for-Shooter-and-Rifle?highlight=Savage

Mine is in .308.

[Lars]

For what you want I say the .243 or the 6.5 Creedmoor. Excellent for all the needs you have listed. But the 1903 would be a great choice as well.

[trlcavscout]

243, good ammo selection, won't ruin to much meat. Great for coyote, P-dogs, deer, antelope etc.

[<MADDOG>]

I'd prefer though to start with a modern firearm, as that is one area that my collection is hurting.

I've always had great luck with Savages so I'd like to start there, but what have you guys had luck with? Calibers?.

Guys; I'm sorry if I miss-read this.. Appears to me the OP is looking to keep heirlooms out of the equation.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Rem 700 in 243 or 270. I personally own 270 WSM, 30-30, and 308 for big game. You can legally hunt big game in Kansas with any center fire rifle.

[Dave]

Rem 700 or Savages are good rifles for the bucks spent. Honestly a Rem 700 in 30-06 will be able to take a wide variety of game depending the the glass and round type used without breaking your bank.

[Zombie Steve]

Yep. I know you didn't ask about what rifle to get (and didn't mention a budget)... but I'm going to throw in another vote for a 700. So many aftermarket parts and good smiths out there, it can go from good to great without a ton of time or money invested.

I've always been a 700 guy... I shot an entry level Savage in .30-06 a few days ago, and was underwhelmed to say the least... and don't even get me started on the Ruger American.


There. I'm glad I got that out. That should sufficiently stir the pot. [LOL]

[buckshotbarlow]

Other option is buckshot if you have shotgun...gotta get in close though. Use your 03a3, that would be frig'n awesome war story for the ol war dog. I like to stay in the same caliber, get a long action savage or remmy in '06 and then you have an elk gun or moose gun if needed.

Comparing rounds, 243 doesn't drop like the 06, but it is also not legal for elk or moose hunting...

[Zombie Steve]

Other option is buckshot if you have shotgun...gotta get in close though. Use your 03a3, that would be frig'n awesome war story for the ol war dog. I like to stay in the same caliber, get a long action savage or remmy in '06 and then you have an elk gun or moose gun if needed.

Comparing rounds, 243 doesn't drop like the 06, but it is also not legal for elk or moose hunting...

I thought it was a 6mm / .243 caliber minimum with 1,000 ft / lbs energy at 100 yards. Wouldn't a .243 Win suffice? Maybe I'm wrong. I never hunted elk with one, so I never paid it much attention...

[buffalobo]

Other option is buckshot if you have shotgun...gotta get in close though. Use your 03a3, that would be frig'n awesome war story for the ol war dog. I like to stay in the same caliber, get a long action savage or remmy in '06 and then you have an elk gun or moose gun if needed.

Comparing rounds, 243 doesn't drop like the 06, but it is also not legal for elk or moose hunting...

You sure about 243? Would like to see link to that.

Lobbed from my electronic ball and chain

[Robb]

.240 is the legal limit in CO. It may not be an ethical choice for elk/moose but it was legal for Colorado big game when I read the game regs for 2013.

[barney fife]

Top of Page 12 in the regs: Minimum for big game .24 caliber. So .243 is good to go for elk. It's effectiveness is another discussion all together.
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/BigGame/Pages/BigGame.aspx

[buffalobo]

I prefer 30-06 for big game, good selection of widely available loads and I grew up using it.



Lobbed from my electronic ball and chain

[Dave]

Elk and Moose just have to have a heavier bullet. 85 gr instead of 70 gr and hit with 1000 ftlb at 100 yards as rated by a manufacturer. I personally wouldn't be hunting a moose or elk with a .243 though. For elk and bigger I have a Savage .300 wsm getting some work done at BP.

[<MADDOG>]

Lookie here:

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/125647-WTS-Savage-Model-10-Predator-Hunter-243-Win-Max-1-Camo

[buckshotbarlow]

ok, i admit i was wrong. I thought 260 was the min...Shows you how much time I spend with the small stuff. Any how, here's the link I pulled some info from:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/ElkHuntingUniversity/2/Pages/MidRangeBallisticsForElkHunting.aspx




































SHORT ACTION CALIBERS
Caliber/Bullet Wt. Muzzle Velocity Range 1,200 ft. lbs. Range 2,000 ft. lbs. Wind Drift
.243 Win, 85gr. 3320 200 + N/A 4.87
7mm-08, 140gr. 2800 200 + 100 2.94
.308 Win, 165 gr. 2650 200 + 150 3.12
.308 Win, 180 gr. 2600 250 + 250 3.67
30-30 Win, 150 gr. 2200 100 + N/A 7.80

STANDARD LENGTH ACTIONS-NON MAGNUM CALIBERS
Caliber/Bullet Wt. Muzzle Velocity Range 1,200 ft. lbs. Range 2,000 ft. lbs. Wind Drift
.270 Win, 130 gr. 3060 250 + 100 + 4.47
.270 Win, 150 gr. 2850 250 + 150 6.53
30-06, 165 gr. 2800 250 + 150 4.97
.30-06, 180 gr. 2700 250 + 250 4.64
STANDARD LENGTH ACTIONS-MAGNUM CALIBERS
Caliber/Bullet Wt. Muzzle Velocity Range 1,200 ft. lbs. Range 2,000 ft. lbs. Wind Drift
7mm Rem, 175 gr. 3177 300 + 300 + 3.79
.300 Win, 150 gr. 3604 * 300 + * 150 + 6.92
.300 Win, 180 gr. 3000 300 + 300 + 2.83
.338 Win, 225 gr. 2800 300 + 300 + 2.98
must get more coffee

[MarkCO]

In a bolt gun, you really asked for a .243Win. Low recoil, decent accuracy, inexpensive to load for. I use my .260 more than my .243 now, but teh .243 is a great cartridge. Platform, Tikka or Rem 700 would be my choices, but nothing wrong with a Savage, Winchester, even a Ruger. Pick the options you want and go for it.

If you want an AR-15, you could consider the 6x45. Just a different barrel and everything else the same as .223. You will lose some velocity on the .243, but still plenty for Whitetails, prairie rats, coyotes.

[sniper7]

I have a .243 that I have used for deer and antelope here in CO. Always dropped them right away. It's all about shot placement, not bullet size. You can have a 50 bmg and if you just blow a leg off they will still run away on 3.


I would go for a .243 or .308. Both are easy to find ammo for, easy to reload, plenty of energy and highly accurate to make a good ethical kill.


depending on where you are in Kansas I would get comfortable out to 300 yards. Learn to shoot off shooting sticks, or at least a bipod that extends high enough to shoot while sitting down. Prone might not cut it with the grass and what not.


as to a rifle, my wife and I each bought savage 111 trophy hunter XP with Nikon scopes with the BDC reticle. Great gun, awesome trigger and great scope. Tested it out this year on my antelope at 307 yards quartering towards me. Only place the buck went was straight down!

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

If you want an AR-15, you could consider the 6x45. Just a different barrel and everything else the same as .223. You will lose some velocity on the .243, but still plenty for Whitetails, prairie rats, coyotes.

Thats a hell of an idea. Didn't even know that existed. I'm off to search the google machine for components n stuff.

[MarkCO]

Thats a hell of an idea. Didn't even know that existed. I'm off to search the google machine for components n stuff.

Some call it 6mm-.223, so search both.

The BHW barrels are a 2-3 month wait, but they shoot really well, I think they are about $250. I don't know if Hoser is set up to make brass for the 6x45, but it is not hard to convert .223 to 6x45 with just a set of loading dies and a trimmer. Most guys like the 1:10 for the 90 and less and the 1:9 for the 100s. I'd be willing to bet there is a thread on the caliber somewhere here on COAR15 as well. Dandy little cartridge.

[eneranch]

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/122755-AR-in-6mm(-243)x45 (https://www.ar-15.co/threads/122755-AR-in-6mm(-243)x45?p=1540813#post1540813)

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/122755-AR-in-6mm(-243)x45?p=1540813#post1540813

Id consider it but I don't wanna sign up for another forum. Hah

[MarkCO]

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/122755-AR-in-6mm(-243)x45 (https://www.ar-15.co/threads/122755-AR-in-6mm(-243)x45?p=1540813#post1540813) That is a mid-length, and pretty much at retail anyway.

[obawon]

If your top end quarry is deer and you want to shoot varmints with the same rifle it sounds like the 243 win is really great choice!