Help Me Choose a Caliber
#13
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rivesville, WV
Posts: 3,192
RE: Help Me Choose a Caliber
"Recoil energy under 15#"
IMO this is the wrong way to put your question. Felt recoil should be the parameter. Recoil is a function of stock design, rifle and barrel weight, and the application of a muzzle break. I can promise you that a factory Savage or Remington rifle in .308 Winchester has more felt recoil than my 30-06.
There are also other parameter's such as bullet weight and velocity which affect recoil. If you shoot a similar weight bullet from a 30-06 and a 25-06 at the same velocity-then the recoil will basically be the same. Or so close that no one could tell the difference.
A 150 grain bullet from a reduced30-06 loadwould be deadly on deer to 300 yards. And even at a reduced velocity it would be easily asaffective or even moreaffective than a 100 grain bullet from a .243 Winchester(IMO).
I know a lot of people are going to say that the smaller caliber will have a flatter trajectory. And they would be right in saying that. However a couple of inches high at 100 leaves you a few inches low at 300. I do not want to do the exact math(but I am sure some one will), but there can not be more than a couple of inches difference at 300 yards. My 30-06 with 165 grain bullet is 2-1/2 inches high at 100 and about 5 inches low at 300 yards. I am sure that on paper that probably works out to more than 15# of recoil, it would be interesting to know what the felt recoil was.
Not for the sake of argument but I will take the "killing abilty" of the 165 grain 30 caliber bullet over the 100 grain .243 caliber bullet every day of the week, and twice on Sunday. Tom.
IMO this is the wrong way to put your question. Felt recoil should be the parameter. Recoil is a function of stock design, rifle and barrel weight, and the application of a muzzle break. I can promise you that a factory Savage or Remington rifle in .308 Winchester has more felt recoil than my 30-06.
There are also other parameter's such as bullet weight and velocity which affect recoil. If you shoot a similar weight bullet from a 30-06 and a 25-06 at the same velocity-then the recoil will basically be the same. Or so close that no one could tell the difference.
A 150 grain bullet from a reduced30-06 loadwould be deadly on deer to 300 yards. And even at a reduced velocity it would be easily asaffective or even moreaffective than a 100 grain bullet from a .243 Winchester(IMO).
I know a lot of people are going to say that the smaller caliber will have a flatter trajectory. And they would be right in saying that. However a couple of inches high at 100 leaves you a few inches low at 300. I do not want to do the exact math(but I am sure some one will), but there can not be more than a couple of inches difference at 300 yards. My 30-06 with 165 grain bullet is 2-1/2 inches high at 100 and about 5 inches low at 300 yards. I am sure that on paper that probably works out to more than 15# of recoil, it would be interesting to know what the felt recoil was.
Not for the sake of argument but I will take the "killing abilty" of the 165 grain 30 caliber bullet over the 100 grain .243 caliber bullet every day of the week, and twice on Sunday. Tom.
#14
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,329
RE: Help Me Choose a Caliber
I knew it was close. However I think it fits best into your outline. The .270 and .25-06 will not give you the desired selection of ammo that you're looking for.
I already have a .308 and I'd like to get another one in a light weight rifle.
Also recoil is pretty subjective. The rifle and fit have a lot to do with it.
Tom
I already have a .308 and I'd like to get another one in a light weight rifle.
Also recoil is pretty subjective. The rifle and fit have a lot to do with it.
Tom
#15
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location:
Posts: 52
RE: Help Me Choose a Caliber
To shed some light on #3, I'm currently using a Remington 7600 .30-06. I agree that perceived recoil is subjective and depends on the actual rifle. I am wanting signficantly less recoil for my next rifle.
I don't want to worry about testing a whole lot of rifles, so I am using 15 ft lbs of actual recoil energy as a convenient cut-off point.
I don't want to worry about testing a whole lot of rifles, so I am using 15 ft lbs of actual recoil energy as a convenient cut-off point.
#17
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rivesville, WV
Posts: 3,192
RE: Help Me Choose a Caliber
I understand what you mean by that. If I was going to go to any sub 30 caliber cartridge for deer I think it would be the 260 Remington. I do not know the # rating of this cartridge, but the 140 grain bullet has a fantastic BC, and still enough weight. I am just not willing to go down to the quarter bores and below. I am not knocking the experiences of other hunter's on this site. But I personally have seen too many deer run out around the hill with the quarter bores and below.
The 260 would also be a great choice for some longer distance varminting. Tom.
The 260 would also be a great choice for some longer distance varminting. Tom.
#20
RE: Help Me Choose a Caliber
ORIGINAL: RugerM77.270
Got me again Danny. I have to read slower.
Got me again Danny. I have to read slower.
Maybe I spend too much time looking at recoil tables and not enough time in the woods anyway