Airborne

Situation:

I have a son who is 11yrs old and growing fast. I want to buy a FLAT shooting round for long distance...out to 500yds but with the lightest recoil possible for him. Once he outgrows the gun the wife will be using it. It will be primarily for Deer. I shoot the time tested .06. Can anyone give me a comparison of the felt recoil for the above calibers. Again, I can only compare to what I shoot the 30.06. So when giving me your opinion, please keep that in mind. Example: Would you say the .260 is half that of an 30.06? I shoot 165grn's and reload. My son does not like the recoil of my 30.06. I can understand, it's not that fun to sit down and shoot 75-100rnds. Thanks for the help.

eldeguello

The .243 is bny far the lightest recoiling of the three you listed. The .260 Rem. would be next, then the .280, which is pretty comparable to the .30/'06. However, the .243 also requires the best bullet placement to be effective on larger deer-sized game than either of the other two. Of course, bigger calibers are no substitute for good shooting, no matter what gun one chooses.

Keep yore powder dry!!

jed

IF you reload have you considered the 7-08? All of the bullets available for the 7mm with the recoil that is comparible to the 260 or the 270. http://huntamerica.com/recoil_calculator/ this website will allow you to assess the felt recoil of the different calibers, loads you may wish to try. While personally I am a fan of the 280 it is not one my wife would enjoy, recoil on it is very similar to the 06. The 243 is the nicest for felt recoil. But I think the 7-08 is a gun either your wife or son will enjoy, and will not outgrow.

ps I like the 139 gr btsp

seattlesetters

Of the three you mention, the .260 Rem is what I would choose. It is flat-shooting and the recoil is minimal. It will take deer cleanly to any reasonable range.

The .243 Win is a bit light for deer. It will work, but is probably better in the hands of a skilled shot. The bullets just don't weigh enough for reliable penetration.

The .280 Rem is so close to the .30-06 in felt recoil that you can pretty much eliminate that fine round.

Here is another way of looking at this, with each cartridge being measured with a "normal" bullet weight used for deer:

.243 Win/100gr/7.25lb rifle/10.2 flbs recoil

.260 Rem/120gr/7.5lb rifle/11.0 flbs recoil

7mm-08/140gr/7.5lb rifle/13.5 flbs recoil

.280 Rem/140gr/8.0lb rifle/17.2 flbs recoil

.30-06/165gr/8.0lb rifle/20.1 flbs recoil

As you can see, the .260 more closely resembles a .243 in the recoil department, and it kills much more efficiently. The 7mm-08 is also on the light side and it, too, is an incredible deer round. The .280 is indeed closer to a .30-06 in terms of felt recoil.

Based on your criteria, the .260 Rem looks like the perfect choice. I have used that round on many animals, and seen it used on many more. Every animal fairly hit with it dies quickly and with minimal tracking. <img src=icon_smile_dead.gif border=0 align=middle>




Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

Airborne

This is some great information. The last thread with the felt recoil is awesome. Now I'm curious abotu the .270wsm. What is the recoil on this one. Looking at your chart the .260 is looking better all the time. How is the round as far as accuracy is concerned. By the way I do reload.

seattlesetters

As far as accuracy is concerned, the .260 Rem kind of gets the best of both worlds. Let me explain...6.5mm bullets are very long and stable, and are considered by accracy nuts to be some of the most accurate around. Also, the .308 Win case, on which the .260 is based, is also known for producing outstanding accuracy.

I've been around several .260s (most of these custom rigs built when it was still called the 6.5mm/.308 wildcat), and can tell you they are scary accurate.

One other thing to consider: My buddies who own these things do not hesitate to load 140gr premium bullets and whack elk and moose at pretty respectable ranges. None of them has ever lost an elk they shot with their .260.

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

seattlesetters

Sorry, Airborne, I forgot to give you the info on the .270 WSM:

.270 WSM/130gr/8.0lb rifle/18.7 ft lbs recoil.

By the way, if you buy your son a .260, he will never outgrow it. <img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

WV Hunter

Seattle is right on. My vote is for the .260 also. Personally, I shoot a .280 in a mountain rifle. I shoot fairly hot loads, but even with factory ammo...I can tell you it's not what you want for your son (or your wife). The .243 is a fine gun, and has it's place....but with .20 around now, ...I wouldn't even consider the .243. They just don't compare, except maybe in recoil felt...and that's a good thing <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

stiller

I bought my boy a 7x57 Mauser about that age. Ballistics are similar to '06 and recoil is super light. He loved it and killed many deer with it,(he's now 21). If you reload you might give it a good look.

seattlesetters

I am getting my 12-year-old boy a 7x57 Mauser, as well. We own some property in Montana in good elk country, and I feel more comfortable with the larger bullet when it comes to those brutes. A porperly loaded 7x57, using 160gr premium bullets, is a solid 200+ yard elk gun.

If elk were not in the mix, however, it would be a .260 Rem, for sure. In fact, my next custom rig will be chambered for it!

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

Edited by - seattlesetters on 01/18/2003 06:33:08

Edited by - seattlesetters on 01/18/2003 06:34:56