What Deer Calibre For First Deer Rifle.

[Yokel Matt 918]

A .243 is more than capable for most realistic stalking scenarios for any species of deer in the uk and will double up as a fantastic fox rifle. Hell even a .222 in the right hands will do the job. Personally I think the only way you'd consistently have a chest shot deer drop is to have a caliber so heavy and fast your game dealer would tell you to go somewhere else! By passing up the 'maybe' shots and making sure of the ones you take you may still get some runners but they won't get far.

 

As for scopes it's been mentioned somewhere else recently but instead of the S&B 8x56 a Meopta 7x50 is a fantastic alternative (and half the price).... going against popular opinion i expect but having had both I'd choose the Meopta every time.

[SportingShooter 0]

I'd struggle to own a single rifle that would be suitable to shoot everything from Muntjac and not destroy it to a big Russian Bear (no pun intended) and kill it outright,

 

If Boar is going to be big on your agenda then you want a powerful round, .270 is the minimum recommendation in the HO guidelines but I dare say I'd look at a bit more punch than that for margin of error on a very tough animal,

 

A bear is a whole new ball game, an injured boar can be dangerous, an injured bear is fatal. I'd want him very dead from a heavy slug.

 

For me, there's too much variation in quarry for one gun. I'd be looking at chopping your .22-250 in for a .243 for your foxes and deer then something considerably heavier for boar and other tough critters, the 30-06 will do that job easily and can be loaded in a variety of bullet weights.

 

Then if you do end up on a bear hunting trip, borrow a rifle from whoever organises it. A .300 Win Mag will struggle to stop a bear at the first shot, often needing a second and that's 1000 ft/lbs more energy than a hot .30-06 load. Little wonder some of my Canadian friends carry a .375 H&H Magnum for bears.

 

SS

 

P.S. as mentioned, some countries don't allow civilian use of firearms chambered in a military calibre, France is one I know of, and the .30-06 is a military round so you might have that to consider.

[danw 1,748]

Perhaps a little research into what calibre is required for your chosen quarry in the country's mentioned would be a start if memory serves 7mm minimum for boar in Poland

 

Edited to add if you want a all purpose gun from fox to bear 300 rum is the only choice mine launched a 110gr vmax at 4200 fps or a 210 gr nosler at 3000 fps

[shropshire dan 467]

Thanks a lot lads. I think the best thing to do for me is get a bigger deer rifle then as said hire a rifle as and when I get the chance to hunt much bigger dangerous game.

[ianm 2,594]

I have shot and killed plenty of deer with my .243, i also use it for fox on occasion launching 55grn bullets in excess of 4,000 fps which will be flatter and faster than your 22.250 with more energy.

[shropshire dan 467]

Fair play Ian. Mine does 4000fps with 50g rounds

[hutchey 147]

I don't think there's a 1 gun for all.

Depends on quarry,

Country

Backstop

Land size to a certain degree but backstop more so obviously

Ammo availability

How much use - barrel wear

Cost overall

etc

[charlie caller 3,654]

some countries have a "thing" about civilian use of military calibres, so 30-06 maybe a more sensible choice

I think you will find .30-06 IS a military calibre mate if you are going to shoot boar, .270 is the minimum, and what a cracking all rounder a .270 is, its a necked down .30-06 as is .25-06, .270 would be a superb choice mate.

[trenchfoot 4,243]

 

some countries have a "thing" about civilian use of military calibres, so 30-06 maybe a more sensible choice

I think you will find .30-06 IS a military calibre mate if you are going to shoot boar, .270 is the minimum, and what a cracking all rounder a .270 is, its a necked down .30-06 as is .25-06, .270 would be a superb choice mate.

 

its only good for friendly fire though

[andyf 144]

As a point of interest, the 30.06 the .270 and the 25.06 all share the same basic case, just the neck and as a consequence the bullet calibre change.

The 30.06 was the original design. The other 2 are 'wildcat' developments of the original.

[Yokel Matt 918]

Thanks a lot lads. I think the best thing to do for me is get a bigger deer rifle then as said hire a rifle as and when I get the chance to hunt much bigger dangerous game.

On the basis that I assume you'll be shooting more deer & fox's than bear and buffalo that's sense talking... Although a Royal holland & holland double rifle in .400 nitro could come in handy for sika stags in thick woodland.....

[jamie g 17]

25/06 is a cracker. even if it isnt popular

[shropshire dan 467]

Thanks lads. deer will be the majority of game on the hit list with the occasional boar and eventually a bear hunt. So for now ill probably defo go for the .270 which is available at my local

[ianm 2,594]

France now allows military calibres such as 30.06.

[Hunterhartley 8]

6.5 55 swedish mauser is a very nice bit of kit.

.308 and .243 are just too much for me, big bang, lot of heat, lot of mess, not good on them barrels after time but a lot of people like a big bang so it really is up to you at the end of the day.