deer rifle to supplement a 22-250

[archie_199er 0]

I have a 22-250 for foxes and am now looking at getting a second rifle for deer (only UK deer).

It is for fallow and perhaps the occasional red stag.

 

I am thinking a .243 would be best as it is flat, accurate and has low recoil.

Also, if after time the fox rifle needs replacing, i may use 243 for both.

 

My worry here is that, as i shoot more fox than deer, i want the flattest, fastest bullet possible. If i use 243 for both in the future i would want to be loading lighter 55gr bullets in the 243 for fox but for deer would want 100gr.

sometimes both will be shot on the same day so changing zero would be a hassle! (I also like them zeroed to different yardage).

 

Therefor, i am fairly sure i will always want to have a separate rifle for deer and fox and so perhaps i should get a bigger caliber for the deer than .243?

 

Finding any sort of decision very taxing,

Any advice would be much appreciated!

[mattydski 560]

I have a 22-250 for foxes and am now looking at getting a second rifle for deer (only UK deer).

It is for fallow and perhaps the occasional red stag.

 

I am thinking a .243 would be best as it is flat, accurate and has low recoil.

Also, if after time the fox rifle needs replacing, i may use 243 for both.

 

My worry here is that, as i shoot more fox than deer, i want the flattest, fastest bullet possible. If i use 243 for both in the future i would want to be loading lighter 55gr bullets in the 243 for fox but for deer would want 100gr.

sometimes both will be shot on the same day so changing zero would be a hassle! (I also like them zeroed to different yardage).

 

Therefor, i am fairly sure i will always want to have a separate rifle for deer and fox and so perhaps i should get a bigger caliber for the deer than .243?

 

Finding any sort of decision very taxing,

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

 

 

I am an avid fan of the .243, but I use it as an allrounder.. Ie fox and deer. (Roe mainly)

I cant believe I'm actually saying this, but I would advise getting a bigger rifle than a .243 if you are setting your stall out for soley larger animals. The .243 will kill large deer with good shot placement, but if it were the mainstay of quarry.. Go bigger.

It doesn't cost anymore to run a .308, than a .243, That would be my choice. It that is too big for you, my next choice would 6.5 x 55mm. There is a plethora of calibres, but why go exotic when one of the mainstream calibres will do the job perfectly well.

 

I am sure there will be healthy debate on the subect.

[jamie g 17]

I have a 22-250 for foxes and am now looking at getting a second rifle for deer (only UK deer).

It is for fallow and perhaps the occasional red stag.

 

I am thinking a .243 would be best as it is flat, accurate and has low recoil.

Also, if after time the fox rifle needs replacing, i may use 243 for both.

 

My worry here is that, as i shoot more fox than deer, i want the flattest, fastest bullet possible. If i use 243 for both in the future i would want to be loading lighter 55gr bullets in the 243 for fox but for deer would want 100gr.

sometimes both will be shot on the same day so changing zero would be a hassle! (I also like them zeroed to different yardage).

 

Therefor, i am fairly sure i will always want to have a separate rifle for deer and fox and so perhaps i should get a bigger caliber for the deer than .243?

 

Finding any sort of decision very taxing,

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

 

what about getting the 22/250 rebarreled in 243 ? you could have it semi custom then. set it up for lighter bullets. and if you got target turrets mark it down. then go zero for heavy bullets mark that down.

 

once you have done that you no how many clicks to do on the scope for each bullet. as long as you use the same brands or homeloads each time

[Deker 3,491]

I have a 22-250 for foxes and am now looking at getting a second rifle for deer (only UK deer).

It is for fallow and perhaps the occasional red stag.

 

I am thinking a .243 would be best as it is flat, accurate and has low recoil.

Also, if after time the fox rifle needs replacing, i may use 243 for both.

 

My worry here is that, as i shoot more fox than deer, i want the flattest, fastest bullet possible. If i use 243 for both in the future i would want to be loading lighter 55gr bullets in the 243 for fox but for deer would want 100gr.

sometimes both will be shot on the same day so changing zero would be a hassle! (I also like them zeroed to different yardage).

 

Therefor, i am fairly sure i will always want to have a separate rifle for deer and fox and so perhaps i should get a bigger caliber for the deer than .243?

 

Finding any sort of decision very taxing,

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

 

We all have to contend with different calibres, different bullet weights, different zeros..its shooting...can't help thinking you are complicating things, and why would you want more than .243 for deer??

[SNAP SHOT 194]

i use a .243 for fox and deer, use a scope with target turrets, use 95g sst for deer and anything in between for fox, i only have to adjust 1/2 inch right for difference in point of impact, but it doesn't always work out this way....

 

So i see no problem as long as you got a scope with target turrets. 87g v-max will also do the job on foxy.... so why go fastest flatttest?

i'd personally sell the 22-250 and put the extra money to custom build or semi custom.....

[Mr_Logic 5]

Old debate about 2 rifles or 1. 243 is really the only choice to do both, and it can be done. Decent scope with reliable adjustments and you can switch easily.

 

Or you could keep the 22/250 and get a 308. 308 does offer more for the larger deer, though if you can shoot 243 will work just fine - plenty of penetration and enough energy to get the job done.

[dicehorn 38]

My worry here is that, as i shoot more fox than deer, i want the flattest, fastest bullet possible.

 

Not quite sure what the flattest, fastest bullet possible has to do with deer shooting - its all about kenetic energy.

 

A .416 Rigby using a 400 grain head is a slow loopy bullet with a mv of around 2300 fps but it certainly will ruin a cape buffolo's day.

 

Question is with the flat, fast 243 using a 75 gr head travelling at 3200 fps what will it do to a buffalo ?

 

I reckon it will just p**s him off

 

On deer such as fallow and red something like a 308 or 6.5 x 55 (both at 2750 fps) using 150 and 130 gr head respectively have amazing knock down power and compared to the 243 leave little meat damage.

 

My 6.5 even on roe on a heart/lung has never left an exit hole larger that 1.5 ins and the same goes for the numerous reds I shoot

 

Incidentally I have 2 rifles in 22.250 - to my mind this calibre is the ultimate for fox

 

Peter

 

Theoben FAC S Type 52 foot lbs MTC Viper 6-24 x 56

Anschutz 1415 .22 rim S & B 8 x 56

Tikka M595 .17 Rem. NXS Nightorce 5.5 - 22 x 56 P8 Mod

Remington 700 Tactical 22.250 NXS Nightforce 5.5 - 22 x 56

Blaser R93 Luxus 22.250 NXS Nightforce 12-42 x 56 PES Mod

Blaser R93 Off Road 6.5 x 55 Swarovski 6-24 x 50 PES Mod

[archie_199er 0]

I have a 22-250 for foxes and am now looking at getting a second rifle for deer (only UK deer).

It is for fallow and perhaps the occasional red stag.

 

I am thinking a .243 would be best as it is flat, accurate and has low recoil.

Also, if after time the fox rifle needs replacing, i may use 243 for both.

 

My worry here is that, as i shoot more fox than deer, i want the flattest, fastest bullet possible. If i use 243 for both in the future i would want to be loading lighter 55gr bullets in the 243 for fox but for deer would want 100gr.

sometimes both will be shot on the same day so changing zero would be a hassle! (I also like them zeroed to different yardage).

 

Therefor, i am fairly sure i will always want to have a separate rifle for deer and fox and so perhaps i should get a bigger caliber for the deer than .243?

 

Finding any sort of decision very taxing,

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

 

 

I am an avid fan of the .243, but I use it as an allrounder.. Ie fox and deer. (Roe mainly)

I cant believe I'm actually saying this, but I would advise getting a bigger rifle than a .243 if you are setting your stall out for soley larger animals. The .243 will kill large deer with good shot placement, but if it were the mainstay of quarry.. Go bigger.

It doesn't cost anymore to run a .308, than a .243, That would be my choice. It that is too big for you, my next choice would 6.5 x 55mm. There is a plethora of calibres, but why go exotic when one of the mainstream calibres will do the job perfectly well.

 

I am sure there will be healthy debate on the subect.

 

 

 

think the 6.5x55 looks good, thanks for your advice there.

Does the 308 recoil anything like a 270?

I'll put a moderator on but i like low recoil so i can watch whats going on with the deer!

[mattydski 560]

I have a 22-250 for foxes and am now looking at getting a second rifle for deer (only UK deer).

It is for fallow and perhaps the occasional red stag.

 

I am thinking a .243 would be best as it is flat, accurate and has low recoil.

Also, if after time the fox rifle needs replacing, i may use 243 for both.

 

My worry here is that, as i shoot more fox than deer, i want the flattest, fastest bullet possible. If i use 243 for both in the future i would want to be loading lighter 55gr bullets in the 243 for fox but for deer would want 100gr.

sometimes both will be shot on the same day so changing zero would be a hassle! (I also like them zeroed to different yardage).

 

Therefor, i am fairly sure i will always want to have a separate rifle for deer and fox and so perhaps i should get a bigger caliber for the deer than .243?

 

Finding any sort of decision very taxing,

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

 

 

I am an avid fan of the .243, but I use it as an allrounder.. Ie fox and deer. (Roe mainly)

I cant believe I'm actually saying this, but I would advise getting a bigger rifle than a .243 if you are setting your stall out for soley larger animals. The .243 will kill large deer with good shot placement, but if it were the mainstay of quarry.. Go bigger.

It doesn't cost anymore to run a .308, than a .243, That would be my choice. It that is too big for you, my next choice would 6.5 x 55mm. There is a plethora of calibres, but why go exotic when one of the mainstream calibres will do the job perfectly well.

 

I am sure there will be healthy debate on the subect.

 

 

 

think the 6.5x55 looks good, thanks for your advice there.

Does the 308 recoil anything like a 270?

I'll put a moderator on but i like low recoil so i can watch whats going on with the deer!

 

.308 has less recoil than a .270. A moderator will further improve the recoil.

[jamie g 17]

I have a 22-250 for foxes and am now looking at getting a second rifle for deer (only UK deer).

It is for fallow and perhaps the occasional red stag.

 

I am thinking a .243 would be best as it is flat, accurate and has low recoil.

Also, if after time the fox rifle needs replacing, i may use 243 for both.

 

My worry here is that, as i shoot more fox than deer, i want the flattest, fastest bullet possible. If i use 243 for both in the future i would want to be loading lighter 55gr bullets in the 243 for fox but for deer would want 100gr.

sometimes both will be shot on the same day so changing zero would be a hassle! (I also like them zeroed to different yardage).

 

Therefor, i am fairly sure i will always want to have a separate rifle for deer and fox and so perhaps i should get a bigger caliber for the deer than .243?

 

Finding any sort of decision very taxing,

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

 

 

I am an avid fan of the .243, but I use it as an allrounder.. Ie fox and deer. (Roe mainly)

I cant believe I'm actually saying this, but I would advise getting a bigger rifle than a .243 if you are setting your stall out for soley larger animals. The .243 will kill large deer with good shot placement, but if it were the mainstay of quarry.. Go bigger.

It doesn't cost anymore to run a .308, than a .243, That would be my choice. It that is too big for you, my next choice would 6.5 x 55mm. There is a plethora of calibres, but why go exotic when one of the mainstream calibres will do the job perfectly well.

 

I am sure there will be healthy debate on the subect.

 

 

 

think the 6.5x55 looks good, thanks for your advice there.

Does the 308 recoil anything like a 270?

I'll put a moderator on but i like low recoil so i can watch whats going on with the deer!

 

there isnt much chance of seeing the hit on a deer through the scope with high power rifle