Help Me Choose a Caliber
10-31-2007, 01:29 PM
#23
Fork Horn
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamiltucky, OH
Posts: 485
RE: Help Me Choose a Caliber
ORIGINAL: HEAD0001
"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.
"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.
ORIGINAL: HEAD0001
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.
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.
ORIGINAL: Cruise J.D.
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.
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.
FC
10-31-2007, 01:38 PM
#24
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 2,414
RE: Help Me Choose a Caliber
ORIGINAL: doubleA
308 Winchester
The use of a lighter weight bullet such as a 125-130 gr or a heavier rifle will lesson felt recoil.
My 13 1/2 lb 308 Win has about 9lbs of recoil shooting 168 gr bullet
308 Winchester
The use of a lighter weight bullet such as a 125-130 gr or a heavier rifle will lesson felt recoil.
My 13 1/2 lb 308 Win has about 9lbs of recoil shooting 168 gr bullet
Yikes, that is one heavy gun
10-31-2007, 02:00 PM
#25
Fork Horn
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 138
RE: Help Me Choose a Caliber
I would love to tell you to geta .257 roberts but the selection of ammo isgetting worse every year. I went to Gander Mt. and they had one selection- 117 gr Core-lokts at $30/box. I can order some other types from Midway but anything with a Nosler is in the $40+range, it's shame as I think thiscaliber is a great forwhitetails with very little recoil. Time to start reloading.My friend who shoots a .35 Whelen tries to make my gun go for a ride home in his truck every deer season.
That said a7mm-08.
That said a7mm-08.
10-31-2007, 02:34 PM
#27
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location:
Posts: 52
RE: Help Me Choose a Caliber
Thanks for all the responses and guidance.
I'm flexible on the ammo selection - as long as there is at least a good deer round offeredat a moderate price. $30+ bucks a carton is not my cup of tea.
For those worried about the killing power of the .25's and under, would changing criteria #1 to "up to 200 yards" change your opinion?
This gun could also very well be my son's first rifle when he gets older.
I'm flexible on the ammo selection - as long as there is at least a good deer round offeredat a moderate price. $30+ bucks a carton is not my cup of tea.
For those worried about the killing power of the .25's and under, would changing criteria #1 to "up to 200 yards" change your opinion?
This gun could also very well be my son's first rifle when he gets older.
10-31-2007, 02:38 PM
#28
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 2,414
RE: Help Me Choose a Caliber
ORIGINAL: Cruise J.D.
Thanks for all the responses and guidance.
I'm flexible on the ammo selection - as long as there is a least a good deer round offeredat a moderate price. $30+ bucks a carton is not my cup of tea.
For those worried about the killing power of the .25's and under, would changing criteria #1 to "up to 200 yards" change your opinion?
This gun could also very well be my son's first rifle when he gets older.
Thanks for all the responses and guidance.
I'm flexible on the ammo selection - as long as there is a least a good deer round offeredat a moderate price. $30+ bucks a carton is not my cup of tea.
For those worried about the killing power of the .25's and under, would changing criteria #1 to "up to 200 yards" change your opinion?
This gun could also very well be my son's first rifle when he gets older.
I liked the 243 before but now with the new criteria I like it even better.
Take a look at the recent thread in the Deer Hunting section entitled "Is a 243 a good deer gun"
It will also make a great first gun for a kid with it's mild recoil
10-31-2007, 02:59 PM
#29
Fork Horn
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location:
Posts: 141
RE: Help Me Choose a Caliber
Another vote for the .308. The 7-08 and 257 Roberts are good choices as wellbut ammo availability and price are issues. I think the .308 is around 17 on the recoil scale considering a 7.5 lb. rifle. I like mine which is a Browning Micro Medalion and it shoots great. I don't see any difference in recoil between the .243, 7mm-08 and .308. Take the plain vanilla .308; it will do it all. Nothing fancy; just dead stuff.
Everyone wants 300 yard rifle but very, very few need one. Woods deer rifles ranges are around 150 and under. I like a well balanced, 7 lb. rifle with a 3x9x40 scope; it needs to get on target quick, be very accurate and have good power. Don't see that I need anything other than a handy; short barreled (20") accurate rifle. From a field rest it will hit a milk jug at 300 yards no problem, is fast and handy in the brush and a breeze to shoot offhand. The point of the bottom cross hair is dead on at 300 yards and never had a chance to shoot over 100 yards or so. Factory loads of 125,150,165 and 180. What's not to like.
Everyone wants 300 yard rifle but very, very few need one. Woods deer rifles ranges are around 150 and under. I like a well balanced, 7 lb. rifle with a 3x9x40 scope; it needs to get on target quick, be very accurate and have good power. Don't see that I need anything other than a handy; short barreled (20") accurate rifle. From a field rest it will hit a milk jug at 300 yards no problem, is fast and handy in the brush and a breeze to shoot offhand. The point of the bottom cross hair is dead on at 300 yards and never had a chance to shoot over 100 yards or so. Factory loads of 125,150,165 and 180. What's not to like.
10-31-2007, 03:22 PM
#30
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 2,414
RE: Help Me Choose a Caliber
Mossie,
I have to disagree on the recoil of a 308 vs 243. I had to find a gun that my 12 year old daughter could shoot so i tried quite a few different guns and cartridges before deciding on a gunwith recoil being a major decision factor.The 243 seemed to have less recoil in fact I thought it had a great deal less that of the 308.
That being said, rifle weight and rifle fit play a huge part in felt recoil and that may contribute to differences in opinion. The 308 that i shot felt much more like shooting a 270 than a 243. As far as the 7-08, I never have fired one of these so i can't comment there.
Just for grins I just looked at a recoil table for the 243. It shows around 8lbs. If your estimate of 17 for the 308 is correct then I would say that the 243 in a similar gun with similar weight and fit would produce a heck of a lot less recoil
I have to disagree on the recoil of a 308 vs 243. I had to find a gun that my 12 year old daughter could shoot so i tried quite a few different guns and cartridges before deciding on a gunwith recoil being a major decision factor.The 243 seemed to have less recoil in fact I thought it had a great deal less that of the 308.
That being said, rifle weight and rifle fit play a huge part in felt recoil and that may contribute to differences in opinion. The 308 that i shot felt much more like shooting a 270 than a 243. As far as the 7-08, I never have fired one of these so i can't comment there.
Just for grins I just looked at a recoil table for the 243. It shows around 8lbs. If your estimate of 17 for the 308 is correct then I would say that the 243 in a similar gun with similar weight and fit would produce a heck of a lot less recoil