Caliber Choice

[hikingthehills]

Does @MuleShoe have a second account?

You read my mind, I was about to type the same thing!

 

[hikingthehills]

I've used a M77 Mkii in .270 for years. With Hornady SST's I would put it up against rifle within 200 yards to take down a deer. I have yet to lose a deer and knock wood I never do with this setup. Installing a Timney trigger made a HUGE difference with this rifle and I have bullets touch each other at 100 yards. It's a stainless with an all weather stock so I'm never worried about rust or dings. To each their own but this is just my experience. Some times though I still get a wild hair and bust out my 30-30 or this year I'll be adding a 300 blackout to hunt in a spot where it's really thick so I can use my can and save some hearing for the later years!

 

[CAMSDADDY]

I have used a 30/30 for years. Where I was hunting my shots were 100 yard max. Recently my situation has changed. I'm hunting where longer shots are available and I'm also hunting with my kids. While I will keep there shots within 100 I want something that can stretch it out a little further. I've considered 22-250 and 243 as both seem to be options with a little more range and a little less recoil.

 

[Bradshaw]

If you have the opportunity and skillset to shoot deer at 500+ yards in ga shoot whatever elephant caliber you want. Most have neither. Without a Hubbell telescope to dial in a 308 with a 200yd zero will shoot anything in ga out to 300 without having to hold over there back. Just another opinion.

 

[CAMSDADDY]

How is recoil with the 308 vs 243

 

[Bypass]

For Georgians who hunt nothing larger than 140lb whitetails within 125yds, why do so many choose calibers like .300WM over more moderate ones like .30-30, .243 and .308? Is it a caliber pissing match with fellow hunters or something?

I went hunting several years ago with some acquaintances out in NE Georgia and was the only one to have anything smaller than a 300 mag. What gives?

In Georgia we sometimes have to shoot through brush hence the heavy calibers.

 

[Bear44]

I've used a M77 Mkii in .270 for years. With Hornady SST's I would put it up against rifle within 200 yards to take down a deer. I have yet to lose a deer and knock wood I never do with this setup. Installing a Timney trigger made a HUGE difference with this rifle and I have bullets touch each other at 100 yards. It's a stainless with an all weather stock so I'm never worried about rust or dings. To each their own but this is just my experience. Some times though I still get a wild hair and bust out my 30-30 or this year I'll be adding a 300 blackout to hunt in a spot where it's really thick so I can use my can and save some hearing for the later years!

For a rifle cartridge on Whitetails, a 270 may be the best one out there. It will also do the job a lot farther out than 200 yards. I say this and don't even own a 270.

 

[Bear44]

I have used a 30/30 for years. Where I was hunting my shots were 100 yard max. Recently my situation has changed. I'm hunting where longer shots are available and I'm also hunting with my kids. While I will keep there shots within 100 I want something that can stretch it out a little further. I've considered 22-250 and 243 as both seem to be options with a little more range and a little less recoil.

Go with the 243. That extra bullet weight makes a difference. Especially at longer ranges.

 

[Bear44]

If you have the opportunity and skillset to shoot deer at 500+ yards in ga shoot whatever elephant caliber you want. Most have neither. Without a Hubbell telescope to dial in a 308 with a 200yd zero will shoot anything in ga out to 300 without having to hold over there back. Just another opinion.

A 308 will do it past 300 with ease, but a little hold over at 300 yards, with a 200 yard zero, will still be needed. There is a drop of about 9 inches. A hold at the top of the back would be just about perfect.

That's with a 175 grain bullet, but even lighter ones will need some hold over.

 

[Bear44]

How is recoil with the 308 vs 243

The 308 is going to be a bit heavier. The 243 is basically a necked down 308 and shoots lighter bullets. All else being equal, a heavier bullet is going to have more recoil. With that said, most rifles chambered in 30-30 have terrible ergonomics for recoil, so a 308 bolt action doesn't really feel like it has a lot more recoil than a 30-30. At least that's my experience.