what calibre deer rifle?

[Jenks]

I used to have the same predicament.

I wanted a "do all" rifle.

I used to use 6.5x284 for both target comps and deer stalking.

I had (have) several other rifles in various calibres - 22-205 AI, 25-06, 284, 308, 338 etc etc etc

Anyway, now on my third barrel with the 6.5x284....


No longer gets used for target.

However, its my "go to" rifle for stalking.

Using 130 TSX, it levels anything with minimal damage.

I shoot alot of reds, well alot in my eyes (25 - 30 annually), several roe and numerous fallow.

Its the best (in my view) all round calibre there is, excellent accuracy, easy recoil and minimal damage with my chosen bullet.

Ok, not cheap to run, but when the return is 100% the value of each bullet, who cares....

Ask the same question of 100 stalkers and you'll get 100 different replies.

You may also consider 6.5x47 and 308

I have those too, they also work very well.....


Shot placement is what counts, the deer doent know the difference.

Ronin..

Using 130 TSX, it levels anything with minimal damage.

They do expand quite well. This is a 6.5mm 130grn TSX



Jenks

[tackb]

personally i think you should go for a 308 , it will do everything you want , ammo is cheap for practice , there is probably more info about this round out there than any other ? it's easy to reload , components are cheap and plentiful as are rifles , also a lot of calibres are based on it so with a rebarrel job you could have a 243/260/7mm08/358 and i'm not sure but i think the 338federal is also based on the 308 case?

in my opinion the 260 is the best of the lot for uk stalking but unless you reload its a bit limited on factory ammo?

i'm chucking a 140 amax at 2850 fps (N560 is great) and ballistically its rains all over the 308's parade !