Gun 4 Deer

[onlyme 0]

best rifle for deer, obviously to kill in 1 hit?? thanks guys

[matt_hooks 188]

It's not the calibre of the gun, it's the calibre of the nut behind the butt!

 

Any of the UK deer legal calibres will kill a deer if you put the bullet in the right place.

 

Some calibres might cause a bit more meat damage than others, though that's mainly down to speed of the projectile. It's a trade off between velocity, trajectory and energy delivery. A flatter trajectory from a faster bullet can make hitting the right spot easier, but then a light, fast bullet might not do enough damage to kill quickly, or alternatively it might do a massive amount of damage.

 

Everybody has their own preference, there is no "perfect calibre" for shooting anything, as long as the person behind it knows what they are doing and can hit the target. If the bloke with the trigger isn't up to the job then it doesn't matter what calibre he's using.

[martin 332]

+1 with Matt there,almost perfect answer.

 

Martin

[Caprelous 217]

It's not the calibre of the gun, it's the calibre of the nut behind the butt!

 

Any of the UK deer legal calibres will kill a deer if you put the bullet in the right place.

 

Some calibres might cause a bit more meat damage than others, though that's mainly down to speed of the projectile. It's a trade off between velocity, trajectory and energy delivery. A flatter trajectory from a faster bullet can make hitting the right spot easier, but then a light, fast bullet might not do enough damage to kill quickly, or alternatively it might do a massive amount of damage.

 

Everybody has their own preference, there is no "perfect calibre" for shooting anything, as long as the person behind it knows what they are doing and can hit the target. If the bloke with the trigger isn't up to the job then it doesn't matter what calibre he's using.

 

A good reply Matt.

 

Stu

[onlyme 0]

so what would you suggest ?

[Caprelous 217]

Any calibre of rifle that is legal to do the job. With a surfiet of energy and weight that is specified by law for the species of deer you are going to shoot ,whether your quarry is in Scotland or England as the criteria on either side of the border is different,

 

What is acceptable in Scotland is not acceptable in regard to roe deer for instance using smaller calibres and in England smaller centre fire rifles may only be used on Chineese water Deer and Muntjac whereas in scotland the smaller centre fires such as 222 or 22-250 are legal on Roe deer and more than proficient to cull Roe deer in the right hands combined with the correct bullet weight and placement.

 

If you are looking for an alround deer calibre to use both sides of the border that complies with the law you are looking at minimum of .240 in practice this means 243 or larger.

 

personally I have a 22-50 that I use north of the border but only on roe Deer and I also have a 270 cal with a 140grain nosler partition , this calibre I can use anywhere.

 

Hope this helps.

I do not proclaim in anyway that this is a kindly calibre as in the wrong hands it is considered to be somewhat of an overkill, it works for me and as long as it does I will continue to use it.

 

Stuart

Edited May 31, 2012 by Caprelous

[thursodog 353]

I'm a novice stalker who was put onto a .243.

Being a bit anal at this as i am with my other shooting and fishing/fly tying i shot at paper for a month or 2 at various ranges to gain confidence, i've shot a good few roe over the last year dropping them out to 250 yards with 100 grain soft points to the brisket.

Incidently my soft points cause max damage at about 180 to 200 yards, close range they whiz through the deer but drop them on the spot.

A few of them have managed to bolt a short distance even though i've drilled them through their heart or/and lungs (hardy buggers), the rest have simply keeled over and bled out fast.

I'm totally hooked on the stalk and have to concentrate hard to overcome the trembling just before i pull the trigger, totally exciting and addictive.

The rifles got no recoil too and watching the bullet impact and whatever else happens through the scope is no problem.

I'm now zeroed at 200 yards and simply point and shoot from point blank to 225 with adjustment for wind if needed.

I only shoot to the chest, i tried a neck shot at the end of last year and wounded the deer, managed to drop it on the second shot to the brisket and won't try that again in the near future.

I was a wreck for a moment as the deer stumbled about till it stood still long enough for me to drop it.

The more experienced folks here will keep you right and all the best for now with your selection.

 

CW.

[onlyme 0]

thanks guys very helpful ill keep you posted when i purchase my gun