FLEXIBLE rifle round

[Rpg]

Thankfully, the 223 is illegal for big game here in Colorado, so it's not a consideration for deer.

Anything from 243 to 308, 270 or 30-06 would work well.

Since weight isn't a concern for OP, the benefits of short actions are modest or nonexistent for him so the 243 - 308 aren't preferable to the 270 - 30-06.

Given the availability of lots of commercial ammo in various weights, the 30-06 is probably the choice.

 

[Nevada Ed]

The 243 is a great small to medium game rifle but 300 yards is stretching it.

The new 6mm and 270 are great middle of the road loads that can go 300 yards easy......

But if you have a HUGE big buck with rabies attacking you the 30 cal.
220gr bullet is the go to load, in my book !!

 

[hdwhit]

hillbillydruggist wrote:
I am going to focus on loading just this one caliber, it will be used for rats,coyotes,deer and 2 liter bottles, out to 300 yds.

Every center-fire cartridge I currently have is some form of .22. I'm a big believer in it for the kinds of shooting that I do. That said, I have only used 223 Remington (60 grain spire soft point) on deer inside 100 yards and would be hesitant to go further for fear of not getting a clean kill.

When I considered going up to something in the 7mm to 7.62mm range, I asked a similar question on another forum about a year ago and got upwards of 100 responses; many with well-reasoned explanations for their recommendations. The consensus ended up with the 308 Winchester owing to: 1) vast array of bullet weights, 2) broad range of compatible powders, 3) large number of firearms chambered for it, 4) availability of both inexpensive as well as premium components, 5) wide range of inexpensive as well as premium commercial ammunition for times you don't want to (or can't) use handloads.

I think that builds a compelling case for the 308, but the part of me that was long ago seduced by lighter bullets traveling at high velocity still makes me hesitate. Still, I like to reload - a lot. The potential to do so less expensively by selecting the 308 means that's probably the direction I'll go when I decide to buy my next rifle.

 

[dave1918a2]

Being as I am old school, I would choose the 6MM Remington or a 257 Roberts. Both are excellent cartridges and brass and bullets are available all over. I have a 264 win mag, but that is gross overkill for what You want. Good luck with what You choose.

 

[Smithpride]

Can't believe that very few are mentioning it, but all the cool kids are moving over to 6.5grendel. Pushing close to .308 performance out of small action/AR-15 sized platform. I encourage you to look into it.

I had a bare AR-15 lower and couldn't stomach another 5.56. Went researching and 6.5grendel checked a lot of boxes about range, performance, energy, capacity, reloadability, components, mags, weight, etc.

 

[Genetically Swiss]

.243 will do everything you are looking to do. If a .223 is legal to kill deer in your state, it is worthy of consideration as well.


GS

 

[Joed49]

My choice is a 25-06. Will take small to large game and has no kick.
When hunting something big a 30-06 or my 340 WBY magnum.

Darn, you beat me to it! For 40 years I've been enamored by the .25-06, it was my first centerfire rifle.

Very versatile cartridge, I've used it for groundhogs, hunting deer and even a bear hunt in Canada.

85 gr to 90 gr bullets are tops for varmint hunting. If I could see a groundhog it was in mortal danger when that rifle was in my hands.

The 100 gr to 120 gr bullets I used for larger game and again that rifle never failed me. I would not hesitate to use it on Elk if I had the opportunity, though I would use a Nosler partition for this application.

 

[weatherby]

Buy a 22lr for the rats you don't need to reload for that and a 243 for the rest

 

[Drm50]

For practical purposes I would take a 308 Win. It can be used for
a wide variety of bullet weights and factory ammo. It being NATO
standard makes it easy to find and will be around longer than any
of us. It has been prooven to be a very accurate cartridge and rifles for it are made in many makes and models. If the question
include big game other than deer I would have said 30/06 and if
it didn't include deer it would be the 223 for many of the same reasons as the 308. When it comes to taking deer a 22CF rifle
is capable of killing them but so is a 22rf. There is a difference between deer hunting and deer shooting.

 

[fyimo]

I would go with a rifle in 308 Win as it's been my favorite on Deer the past 3 years. I have lots of rifles in 30-06, 270, 243, 25-06 but the 308 has been my go to rifle. I have a Savage Model 14 in 308 and it's excellent.

 

[nachogrande]

A DUAL PURPOSE WITHIN A DUEL PURPOSE

Load 2 different 100 gr bullets (1 for varmints & 1 for deer) in the same caliber. (I do it with the 25-06) You can shoot varmints OR deer by simply changing ammo WITHOUT a scope adjustment, quite often. Do you want any hide/fur left on those yotes?

 

[LAWMAN662]

7MM-08 1st; 260REM next.

 

[hillbillydruggist]

To OP,in your opening response you said you sold most of your long guns,so what do you have left to choose from ?

shotguns & handguns

 

[hillbillydruggist]

Load 2 different 100 gr bullets (1 for varmints & 1 for deer) in the same caliber. (I do it with the 25-06) You can shoot varmints OR deer by simply changing ammo WITHOUT a scope adjustment, quite often. Do you want any hide/fur left on those yotes?

what kind of bullet for each critter? thanks

 

[hillbillydruggist]

Buy a 22lr for the rats you don't need to reload for that and a 243 for the rest

your probably right, although field rats coming to my deer feeder are my targets, about 150 yds out

 

[nachogrande]

There are several, but...

what kind of bullet for each critter? thanks

I load a Nosler ballistic tip for varmints, (a bullet specifically designed for varmints may work better) & a Nosler partition for deer.

 

[NYlakesider]

I considered the one gun for most anything question way back in the 1970s. I was a apprentice and not yet making the good money.

I considered as many points of view as I could, (other gun people, magazines and my own knowledge) and settled on the 25.06. I got it in a Rem 700 BDL. Even today I still have valid arguments why it was the right choice then and would again pick it to fill your job description today. I was also a hand loader and for about 10 years that was my go to rifle.

I still have the rifle and shoot it on occasion and it still brings a smile to my face!

 

[Nevada Ed]

Today it comes down to, if you want a Semi-auto, short action, "Black rifle
or the long action bolt rifle for the longer brass, like 270, 30-06.?

Auto's are pretty accurate with todays custom barrels and high dollar scopes...........

but being old fashioned, I like the slow bolt action, for my accuracy.

 

[smoothshooter]

At the risk of being laughed out of town, the old, lowly .30-30 is more versatile than most people think. Muzzle blast is not too bad, and expensive, high-performance bullets are not required.

•110 gr. Sierra JHP or other lightweight bullets will do serious terminal damage on coyotes and groundhogs out to 200 yards. There are at least three varmint bullets available that are flat-nosed enough for using in a tube magazine safely. I have seen or personally shot many three and five shot groups with these bullets at 100 yards that were less than 1 1/2" diameter, with a fair number of those at an inch or slightly smaller ( with a scope ).

• 150 to 170 grain bullets will take care of the bigger game you mentioned out to 200 yards. Including elk.

Yes, I know it's only 200 yards, but seriously, how many of us actually kill game past that distance?
Honestly?

 

[6518John]

My son has three reasons he thinks the 7mm-08 is the perfect rifle round. He is also a big fan of WDM Bell and his 7 x 57.