Need to buy a Whitetail Rifle.
Question:
>Well, yes and no. *ALOT* of it depends on the size of the whitetails you’ll >be shooting at. For Texas hill country deer, where a BIG deer will field >dress at 140 lbs, a .243 is pretty decent. For a Wyoming/Michigan >whitetail where a big one can field dress at close to 300 lbs, a .243 is >mightly slim
Yep this is what alot of it depends on.And how long are the shoots you will be taking? NRA Life Member Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
I find it interesting that no one has recommended a .270, .308 or 30.06! I know you mentioned recoil, but a good pad (Pachmayer Decelerrator is the best I know of) and moderate factory loads (150 gr. for the 30s, 130 gr.for the .270) ought to keep it tolerable. Remember that a significant player in felt recoil is the weight of the rifle. YOu might want to stay away from featherweights and "mountain" rifles. The 7mm/08 someone suggested would be fine, but unless you live where there are lots of guns for sale, good luck finding a .260 Remington, .257 Roberts or even a 7X57 either new or used. They’re out there and I do see them, usually used, but you’ll have a lot bigger selection of makes, stock and prices if you stick with the calibers I’ve mentioned. And the .243 is definitely marginal as a deer rifle. If you must keep it light, look for a 6.5X55 which are easier to find these days than 7X57. > I need advice on buying a Whitetail Rifle I was considering a Remington > Model 700 BDL 243 Win. > because I want a gun with knockdown power with with little to no recoil!
Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
> I find it interesting that no one has recommended a .270, .308 or 30.06! > I know you mentioned recoil, but a good pad (Pachmayer Decelerrator is > the best I know of) and moderate factory loads (150 gr. for the 30s, 130 > gr.for the .270) ought to keep it tolerable. > ** Remember that a significant player in felt recoil is the weight of the > rifle. YOu might want to stay away from featherweights and "mountain" > rifles.**
I highlighted this particular part of what Larry wrote to bring something else to mind. I’ve deerhunted with a .243, .308, 7-08, .270, 30-06 and 30-30. I have NEVER felt recoil when I shot a deer. Have even tried to recall it and it just isn’t there. I imagine I’m like most of the rest of you. At that moment when the concentration is on killing the deer, we simply aren’t aware of any recoil. At the range, on the other hand, it’s a completely different story. One of the things I would urge the young man who was looking at a .243 as a Whitetail cartridge is to buy some quality hearing protection. On several occasions I’ve found myself without my muffs and I absolutely can NOT fire as many rounds as I can with them. I believe the noise may translate itself into intensifying the recoil. Whatever the reason, we all know a rifle kicks harder at the range then in the field. So, no matter WHAT firearm he (or anyone else) chooses, make it an absolute habit to take your hearing protection along with you when you go to the range. Just an observation. Stonie Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
I hunt with a browning composite stalker with boss in .260 caliber. I shot a nice 8pt whitetail in the texas hill country last year with it at 270 yds. I was using a remington 120 ballistic tip bullet.. The gun is more accurate than i am. I can put 3 rds within 1/2" at 100yds. The recoil is like a 22/250. None at all…. I have had .270, 30.06, 7mm.08 along with several others. I really do like this .260 caliber.. Good luck. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
If you are looking for a specific caliber with good knock-down power and the recoil of a 243. I have a good remedy for it. I own a Browning A Bolt Medallion in 25-06 Rem. with the (BOSS) mussle brake compen- satating system,and it work’s real well. It has the same recoil as the 243 but still has good knock-down power at any given range. I bought it primarly for (ground-hog) woodchuck hunting here in Penn. You can contact Browning at there web site www.browning.com for there catalog. Thank – Yolu Have a good day everyone. http://community.webtv.net/NPC42/LOOKSLIKEITSTHAT Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
Thanks for your input. I think for now I will stick with the .243 but next season I may just take your advice on that! I will contact you when I find out the gun I like. THX again! ~
