'Low' recoil deer caliber recommendation?
- Thread starter sneasle
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StrongSideArmsInc
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22 Hornet.
My .02
I agree with the 243 if you're not going to reload. I have been delighted with my Ruger Compact SS in 260. It'll shoot 100gr bullets like the 243, except faster. Then, there are the 120 and 140s. I haven't found any difference in the recoil of a 100gr 243 and a 120gr 260, but the results.........
I agree with the 243 if you're not going to reload. I have been delighted with my Ruger Compact SS in 260. It'll shoot 100gr bullets like the 243, except faster. Then, there are the 120 and 140s. I haven't found any difference in the recoil of a 100gr 243 and a 120gr 260, but the results.........
Hi. Your size doesn't mean much. Neither does the cartridge. The stock and the weight of the rifle does matter. Even with a .243 or any other medium cartridge. A 6 lb rifle with a narrow butt stock is going to thump you. An 8 or 9 lb rifle with a wide butt stock or recoil pad, won't.
If you want the felt recoil to go way down, look into a semi-auto. You'll be able to shoot all day with one in any regular .30 calibre with no fuss. Ditto for one in .243.
If you can, go to one of the J.C. Garand shoots and try an M1 Rifle. Just to try one. Felt recoil is light.
"...I'll end up with a 30-30 eventually..." If you don't like the recoil of a .30-06, you won't like a .30-30 lever action either. Light rifle with a narrow stock. There are levers in pistol cartridges though.
If you want the felt recoil to go way down, look into a semi-auto. You'll be able to shoot all day with one in any regular .30 calibre with no fuss. Ditto for one in .243.
If you can, go to one of the J.C. Garand shoots and try an M1 Rifle. Just to try one. Felt recoil is light.
"...I'll end up with a 30-30 eventually..." If you don't like the recoil of a .30-06, you won't like a .30-30 lever action either. Light rifle with a narrow stock. There are levers in pistol cartridges though.
ilv2hunt is on the right track with the .257 Roberts as are the folks who are suggesting the .243 Winchester.
One might, however, consider the 6.5 Grendel or the 6.8 SPC, both of which are good to at least 200 yards for deer. They are also used in AR-15 and bolt action rifles. The Grendel takes the edge as the range increases. It can be compared to both the .243 and the 30-30 in terms of lethality.
You can read more at http://shootersnotes.com/grendelmania/grendel-potential-for-large-game/ where these cartridges are compared.
One might, however, consider the 6.5 Grendel or the 6.8 SPC, both of which are good to at least 200 yards for deer. They are also used in AR-15 and bolt action rifles. The Grendel takes the edge as the range increases. It can be compared to both the .243 and the 30-30 in terms of lethality.
You can read more at http://shootersnotes.com/grendelmania/grendel-potential-for-large-game/ where these cartridges are compared.
Serious there uh sneasy, the 06 hammer's me as well. (Ours is a 700 that has a hard plastic butt-plate) But my 7mm Rem Mag has an excellant recoil pad, and I swear I could shoot it all day. But your choices are numerous .243, 7mm-08, .260, .270, and those will get the job done nicely for deer, and some elk. happy shootin, and ps don't feel soft because the old 06 kills your shoulder, I'm 5 ft 7 inches at 178 lbs, and it killed my arm to shoot it, so I did what every good father would do,( I never would sell that rifle outright) I gave it to my son!!
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skydiver3346
New member
Low recoil hunting rifle?
Well, the .243 is a good idea alright.
However, I would choose the 6.5x55 Swede because it is a serious hunting caliber that can do it all. It can take most any of the game here in North America. The added benefit is that it too has minimal recoil and is pleasant to shoot, (my wife loves her's). IT IS ACCURATE....
Plus it is a cool caliber and different than what most of your friends will be carrying in the deer woods.
Note: You need to get some extra ammo, as it is harder to find in the little stores out of the way of the big city.
Well, the .243 is a good idea alright.
However, I would choose the 6.5x55 Swede because it is a serious hunting caliber that can do it all. It can take most any of the game here in North America. The added benefit is that it too has minimal recoil and is pleasant to shoot, (my wife loves her's). IT IS ACCURATE....
Plus it is a cool caliber and different than what most of your friends will be carrying in the deer woods.
Note: You need to get some extra ammo, as it is harder to find in the little stores out of the way of the big city.
Catfishman
New member
I like lever-guns too, and I've killed a few deer with a 30-30. I'm just saying that 30-30s kick much more than most people expect.
If I ever get rich, I'll buy an old 44-40 lever-action.
If I ever get rich, I'll buy an old 44-40 lever-action.
there are 2 ways to approch this.
#1, lighter recoiling caliber. 243, 257 Roberts, 7.62X39, 260 Rem and so on.
#2 lighter recoiling rifle. That means adding weight, addind a good pad, adding a muzzle break or a combination of these things.
OR it can mean going to an auto loader. My old Girlfriend shot an AR-15 in 6.8 SPC which I made for her to hunt with. It weighed 7 pounds loaded and scoped. She was a super good shot with it, and the recoil was no different (As far as she could tell) then an AR in 223.
Another rifle that is pure joy to shoot is one of the new Browning BARs in 243 or 7-08.
A BAR in 7-08 with a muzzle break added is very loud, but the kick is so light it will amaze you. They are very accurate too. My friend has one in 308 that shoots under MOA with 3 different loads.
#1, lighter recoiling caliber. 243, 257 Roberts, 7.62X39, 260 Rem and so on.
#2 lighter recoiling rifle. That means adding weight, addind a good pad, adding a muzzle break or a combination of these things.
OR it can mean going to an auto loader. My old Girlfriend shot an AR-15 in 6.8 SPC which I made for her to hunt with. It weighed 7 pounds loaded and scoped. She was a super good shot with it, and the recoil was no different (As far as she could tell) then an AR in 223.
Another rifle that is pure joy to shoot is one of the new Browning BARs in 243 or 7-08.
A BAR in 7-08 with a muzzle break added is very loud, but the kick is so light it will amaze you. They are very accurate too. My friend has one in 308 that shoots under MOA with 3 different loads.
[A BAR in 7-08 with a muzzle break added is very loud, but the kick is so light it will amaze you. They are very accurate too. My friend has one in 308 that shoots under MOA with 3 different loads.]
I don't doubt that, but it is a very heavy rifle. I suscribe to the Jack O'Connor school that says, "You carry a rifle much more than you shoot it." Accordingly, I want a hunting rifle to be light so get one you can carry all day, and the recoil does not cause a flinch.
I learned that to determine whether or not I flinched was to take a light recoiling rifle, such as a .243, and fire it off hand at a target about 50 yards as fast as I could work the bolt and get on target for follow up shots.
Then I would go to a larger cartridge and do the same. How large your groups are is an indicator as to whether or not you flinch.
I found that the 30-06 M 70 Fwt I had was the most I could shoot without flinching. I could not shoot the 7 MM Mag or larger and get the same size groups.
I did hunt with the 7M Mag and .300 Wby Mag, but took great pains to squeeze the trigger.
Regards,
Jerry
I don't doubt that, but it is a very heavy rifle. I suscribe to the Jack O'Connor school that says, "You carry a rifle much more than you shoot it." Accordingly, I want a hunting rifle to be light so get one you can carry all day, and the recoil does not cause a flinch.
I learned that to determine whether or not I flinched was to take a light recoiling rifle, such as a .243, and fire it off hand at a target about 50 yards as fast as I could work the bolt and get on target for follow up shots.
Then I would go to a larger cartridge and do the same. How large your groups are is an indicator as to whether or not you flinch.
I found that the 30-06 M 70 Fwt I had was the most I could shoot without flinching. I could not shoot the 7 MM Mag or larger and get the same size groups.
I did hunt with the 7M Mag and .300 Wby Mag, but took great pains to squeeze the trigger.
Regards,
Jerry
Gunplummer
New member
If you can't handle the recoil on a medium round (7mm-08, .260, 30-30 ect.) maybe you should wait a couple years to go hunting. If you are that light framed, how are you going to drag a deer out?
[If you can't handle the recoil on a medium round (7mm-08, .260, 30-30 ect.) maybe you should wait a couple years to go hunting. If you are that light framed, how are you going to drag a deer out? ]
I disagree with the conclusion. I would assume that he would have one or more partners. I have been in some areas where the country was so rough no one I ever hunted with could drag a med sizer deer out. I have had to cut them up and use a pack board. Just cut the pieces in sizes you can carry.
If one wants to hunt his size and strength shouldn't limit him to not hunting.
In addition, one's tolerance to recoil has little to do with size and strength.
Regards,
Jerry
I disagree with the conclusion. I would assume that he would have one or more partners. I have been in some areas where the country was so rough no one I ever hunted with could drag a med sizer deer out. I have had to cut them up and use a pack board. Just cut the pieces in sizes you can carry.
If one wants to hunt his size and strength shouldn't limit him to not hunting.
In addition, one's tolerance to recoil has little to do with size and strength.
Regards,
Jerry
I agree with JerryM here 100%
Also I must point out a few facts here.
I live in Wyoming and I have hunted elk, moose and buffalo here and in Idaho and in Alaska. I have killed a lot of them, and been in on helping more friends and clients hunt them than I can count. I have been doing this for about 36 years.
I am not tall, but I am very strong.
However I have not met the man that can drag out a big elk, buffalo or moose.
That sure doesn't mean we should not hunt them...... does it?
That's why they make knives, saws and backpacks, and why we use horses and mules.
Also I must point out a few facts here.
I live in Wyoming and I have hunted elk, moose and buffalo here and in Idaho and in Alaska. I have killed a lot of them, and been in on helping more friends and clients hunt them than I can count. I have been doing this for about 36 years.
I am not tall, but I am very strong.
However I have not met the man that can drag out a big elk, buffalo or moose.
That sure doesn't mean we should not hunt them...... does it?
That's why they make knives, saws and backpacks, and why we use horses and mules.
semi_problomatic
New member
Bolt actions are more accurate than semi's? True 20 years ago.... Not really applicable today. Did you know the army's newest sniper rifles are going to be semi's? Ever heard of the barrette .50 cal sniper rifle? Yep semi-auto. What about the AR-10 and 15 models shooting sub MOA out of the box? Compare that to some of your bolts shooting 1.5-2 in groups out of the box.
Reloading didn't seem to be a factor in this equasion. Even if it is all you have to do is FL resize. Theres no reason a hunter has to use a bolt gun.
Furthermore, he said he wanted a gun that if he got invited north or west to use, he'd be able to use it. Hence the larger callibers. I was trying to give the best answer I could based on all questions he had... Not trying to insult the beloved .243. My wife shoots one and enjoys it.
Reloading didn't seem to be a factor in this equasion. Even if it is all you have to do is FL resize. Theres no reason a hunter has to use a bolt gun.
Furthermore, he said he wanted a gun that if he got invited north or west to use, he'd be able to use it. Hence the larger callibers. I was trying to give the best answer I could based on all questions he had... Not trying to insult the beloved .243. My wife shoots one and enjoys it.
ojibweindian
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6.5x55
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