Best Target Caliber under 300 yards

F

F23Blackwidow2

New member
Hello everyone,
I'm looking for a caliber for target shooting inside of 300 yards. It will also have to double as a dear gun sometimes. I want something softer than a .308, just because I prefer lighter recoiling firearms. I've got nothing to prove by showing up to the range with big, manly elephant gun.

I've heard .223, .25-06, .243, .270, .260, ect. I am probably going to get into reloading, and barrel life doesn't mean much to me because I am going to be using a Savage, so barrel changes are a piece of cake.

I DO NOT WANT A .308! I have my reasons

Thanks,
F23
 
If you didn't include the "hunt deer" thing I would say .223, but personally I think it is marginal for deer. The .270 is going to kick about the same as a .308, .260 (or 6.5 Creedmore) should be marginally less, and is plenty for any game animal in North America aside from a big bear.

First I heard of anyone calling .308 an elephant gun
 
Going off stuff I've read on the internet I'd agree you do not need a .308 to hunt deer.

Common wisdom I think would mostly come down on the side of the .243. It's popular enough you won't have problems finding ammo and it will put down a deer and is an all round pleasant shooter.

I like your choice of a Savage. They have a nice reputation for accuracy, I especially like their accutrigger.

If you want more choices than Savage you might consider CZ. I believe the one listed below has a 'set' trigger. That is, you can push it forward until it clicks and then a very light pull back will discharge the firearm. Or you can use it like a normal trigger and just pull back with a normal trigger pull weight.

I happen to like set triggers for target shooting and years ago I was surprised to see one on a 'regular' hunting rifle at my local gun store so CZ has had a soft spot in my heart ever since.

http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-550-fs-243-win-adj-4-rd-detach-mag/
 
22-250 can be a fantastic 300 and under target cartridge. a little faster and a little flatter than the .223. others can chime in about it's effectiveness on deer, the only info I see is they can run a win 64gr power-point to 3600fps +, which is a generally a well received deer hunting bullet. lots of places do not allow .22 caliber deer hunting

6.8spc, good punching cartridge, throwing 110gr bullets, a reloader can get the bullet going about 2700fps which makes as good a deer cartridge as a .243 but with better target potential.

if your trying to stay out of the .30 caliber bullet arena, then I believe the 25-06 might be the best deer cartridge out there. it has many factory manufacturers, but would still only really consider it if someone is a reloader. lots of great loads out there like the 117 grain Sierra Pro-hunter bullet at 3100FPS. can't argue it's deer killing power, but as a target gun, it may not be your most accurate option. it has considerable recoil, probably similar or more to that of the .308 that you have a dislike for.

me? I would go th 22-250 and run 70gr for deer, but I am not a hunter much, but I think if your trying to designate a rifle both accurate target shooting AND a deer hunting rifle, the 22-250 is in the middle of the two. but check your laws on 22 caliber hunting
 
6 PPC pretty much rules in short range benchrest...but you need to handload, and form your own brass.

If you're not that "into it", I think it makes little difference at that relatively short range of 300 yards- most chamberings, including a .223 with VLD's and a fast-twist barrel, can be competitive at that distance.

I personally shoot a 7-08 to 1K, but I think your goal can easily be met burning less powder....

You didn't state if you handload, which would be a major consideration.

Edit to add: My bad, I completely missed the hunting application...disregard the above :o
 
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Of those that you've listed, for target and deer hunting I'd lean towards the 243 or 260. Both have shown excellent results at the range and in the field as accurate and easy recoiling.
 
I have a few Swedish Mausers in 6.5x55; compared to to my 30-06, 308, 7.5x55 rifles the only caliber I have with less recoil is the 223. It's an extremely accurate round, with very low recoil and in Europe, a very popular hunting round. They use it on reindeer and moose, so it should handle most game in North America. I haven't hunted with it, all my rifles in the caliber are set up for target shooting and not scoped. For target shooting, it's my favorite rifle caliber.

I don't have a lot of experience with the 260, but my understanding is that their performance is close, the .264 bullet under 140gr. gives a slight edge to the 260, but over 140gr the 6.5x55 has better performance.
 
the 25-06 is a good choice. My savage is very accurate. It also works very well on deer. The recoil is pretty mild unless you want to really up the velocity on the 117gr. There are also good loads with 87 gr and 100 bullets as well to keep he recoil down. Only real downside is the muzzle blast is fairly stout with it. Especially with stout loads. My savage is a factory heavy barrel. It will shoot less than 1" at 275 yards with the proper handloads. Its a little heavy for hunting unless you sit in a stand.
The 260 is another excellent choice just harder to find rifles and ammo in that caliber.
 
If you need both a deer rifle and a paper punching rifle/caliber, you have plenty of choices:

270 - great for deer, maybe a bit too much recoil for happy target shooting
243 - Ok for both uses, but arguably a bit light for deer hunting
308 - good choice for both, unless recoil shy.
25-06 - would work for both, but not really thought of as a target round
260/6.5 - just about perfect for both uses
7-08 - would work fine for both
280 - same as 270
30-06 - same as 270/280
223 - good for targets, not really a great deer round
22-250 - same as 223, though more limited on bullet weights due to twist

I used to use my 270 for doing what you want to do, but have moved to the 260.

That's how I see it. You will want to reload.
 
For both deer and targets, the 243 Winchester is your best choice, if you don't reload. If you will be reloading, then the 260 Remington or 6.5 Swede is probably the best.
Best of all, is to go with two rifles as closely alike as possible, but one in 22LR, and the other in a big-game capable centerfire that you reload for. My pick is 270 Winchester, but it's level of recoil lies between 308 and 30-'06. I'm not a fan of the Ruger American, but you can get both a rimfire and centerfire version. I like the Ruger 7722 Varmint and Winchester model 70, match-up. Costs more than a set of Ruger Americans, but I can't abide with a plastic stocked rifle.
 
Any standard deer cartridge will shoot targets out to 300yds and much further.

Any non-magnum round from 7mm on down will have noticeably less recoil than the .308.

A relatively heavy rifle will reduce felt recoil as will a good recoil pad and a good shooting jacket.

imho what cartridge you choose is pretty unimportant as far as deer are concerned. The right rifle is much more important.

Unless you plan to compete what cartridge you choose isn't very important for targets either.

Cost is the only significant factor in cartridge choice and if you reload, it also isn't important. Otherwise the .243 is one of the less expensive rounds.
 
Thanks for all the responses everyone, it looks like .243 is coming out on top. I do plan on hand loading, forget if I mentioned that in the first post. With that considered, would anyone recommend something else?

F23
 
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