Ideal Deer Round

[firefly 0]

Anyone got any views on the best caliber for woodland/lowland stalking, I'm still undecided and want to trim down the contents of my cabinet but can't decide whether to offload the .270 or .243?

[flytie 1]

Anyone got any views on the best caliber for woodland/lowland stalking, I'm still undecided and want to trim down the contents of my cabinet but can't decide whether to offload the .270 or .243?

The .270 will drop anything that's on the game list in the UK, one friend describes his as being "like a laser". For any species of deer you will not do better, as good but not better

 

The .243 is arguably the best all round calibre there is, brilliant for foxing and deer capable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My advice is sell them both and buy a decent 6.5x55, you know it makes sense

 

Atb, ft

[wireviz 8]

Agree with above

[sgf 0]

Got to say that after messing about with various calibres over the last few years, I have now settled on a .243.

I use this for everything and shoot in excess of 200 wild deer each year including all species from Muntjac to Norfolk Reds.

 

I also help cull in a deer park and shoot another -120 a year there.

 

Bullets used are Norma 75g b/t's. These have only just come out so previously used Nosler 90g handloads.

 

Gun is a Sako 75 laminate stainless fluted, which doesn't move at all when you fire it.

 

I might one day buy another .270, ideally a Sako 75 stainless synthetic but won't hesiate to take any UK deer species on with my .243.

[john robbo 30]

Been stalking all deer for some 21 years,

Had x2 .243's a 2506, a.308, a 7mmrem mag and a 6.5x55.

I have clients using everything from 6mm's-8mm's

My view is theres 2 to choose from.

6.5x55(use european factory rounds) and if you hand load look at the 7mm08

[john robbo 30]

The american stuff is loaded back by around 2-300fps to allow for use in all the sporterised mausers that flooded the usa market.

They have weak recievers and could blow with full loads.

So if you want the best out of the swede then use Norma, RWS, Sako or Lapau ammo.

We have chronoed some federal 139 gr loads in 3 x 6.5's rifles and it is JUST deer legal in 2.

regards john.

Edited March 1, 2010 by john robbo

[Yokel Matt 918]

The federal is pretty accurate but very ‘pedestrian’ so to speak – I chrono’d some out my 22†barrelled Sauer that chugged along between 2380 and 2450 (5 shot sample). I’d have liked to try another brand but always missed out on the supply side.

[ratattack 111]

Got to say that after messing about with various calibres over the last few years, I have now settled on a .243.

I use this for everything and shoot in excess of 200 wild deer each year including all species from Muntjac to Norfolk Reds.

 

I also help cull in a deer park and shoot another -120 a year there.

 

Bullets used are Norma 75g b/t's. These have only just come out so previously used Nosler 90g handloads.

 

 

Tut tut tut You might wanna edit that post for the legal bullet weights, last time i looked 100 grain were legal on reds, not 75grains 75 grain BT's must blow a munty to bits anyway

 

If i had to choose a rifle out of the two it would be the .243, .270 is not a round i've ever enjoyed using.

[geordieh 74]

Got to say that after messing about with various calibres over the last few years, I have now settled on a .243.

I use this for everything and shoot in excess of 200 wild deer each year including all species from Muntjac to Norfolk Reds.

 

I also help cull in a deer park and shoot another -120 a year there.

 

Bullets used are Norma 75g b/t's. These have only just come out so previously used Nosler 90g handloads.

 

 

Tut tut tut You might wanna edit that post for the legal bullet weights, last time i looked 100 grain were legal on reds, not 75grains 75 grain BT's must blow a munty to bits anyway

 

If i had to choose a rifle out of the two it would be the .243, .270 is not a round i've ever enjoyed using.

Hi ratattack

Tut tut tut have you done a deer course, if not remember this one, in the colonies (scotland)you may need a 100gn bullet but you don't in the mother country(England)you only need to be making 1700foot pounds with any bullet having to be bigger than .240

 

Geordie

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

Ive only ever owned .243 but ive seen deer shot with most of the modern calibres .Bullet placement is the key to successful stalking not the round .In the dark ages when there was no calibre /bullet legislation ,we used to shoot fallow with a hornet and down they went,may have run a bit but that will happen with them all .Getting used to a particular rifle /bullet is in my humble opinion the best advice for anyone .Swapping and changing to find the ultimate is not conducive to good shooting .

[sgf 0]

Never found any excessive carcase damage on any species. Really rate them as a superb round and not too pricey at £27 per box. I tend to buy 200 at a time.

[macberran 2]

Its a lot to do with personnal choice. I've had the 243 though wasn't happy with the damage. My .308 is great but the model in police guise a bit unweldly too be comfortable. Just got a 6.5 sako after trying a friends, havn,t tried it in situ but my friends tikka was nice. Its a lot too do with you.

[langouroux 14]

i just bought a tikka T3 lite in 6.5x55 £620 brand spanking and factory screw cut.

[clint 45]

I use 2 gun of small price. 1 is No4 enfield 303, with 174gr priv ammo, this kill all deer,with no movement, but big damage on meat. I also use old parker hale 6.5x55 this very accurate with priv 139gr, very good to 300 metre & more. I shoot fox 1 day, with 6.5, fox split in 2, at 200 metre

[Treacle Trackpad 6]

+1 for 6.5x55, you know it makes sense.