Short action Whitetail cartridge

[Backwoods]

What is your favorite short action cartridge for whitetail, and why?

[5 OClock Charlie]

I'd have to say 243Win !

Every year I go hunting in Alberta with some long time friends and usually bring my own rifle. On two occasions I've borrowed my friends Ruger 77 in 243, and just loved it !! Of all the deer I've taken only 1 or 2 have been taken from a prone supported position at any significant range. The majority were taken offhand or a quicky improvised rest like a tree trunk or fence post. I've taken a total of 7 deer with my friends 243, and not one of them required a second shot or ran more that 75 yards. Good bullets and good shot placement and the 243, to me, is Whitetail magic !

Combined with low recoil and lightweight the rifle is a dream to handle and carry. I'm currently tuning up a Stevens 200 in 243 Win to try to duplicate my friends rifle because he refuses to sell it to me.

[sinman]

any of the 308 based cartriges but i really like 243 too.

[EFBell]

I think it's going to be my new 250 Savage AI.

[savageboy]

I am partial to the 7-08 in 22" bbl. Low recoil, impessive ballistics, etc. Every deer that I have shot only needed one round and either they fell over, kicked a few times and died or ran 20yds, slowed down and died. It is a very accurate round as well.

[FALPhil]

I am partial to the 7-08 in 22" bbl. Low recoil, impessive ballistics, etc. Every deer that I have shot only needed one round and either they fell over, kicked a few times and died or ran 20yds, slowed down and died. It is a very accurate round as well.

I like the 260 Rem. Even less recoil and more impressive ballistics.

[Smokey262]

+1 on the 7mm-08. Has everything a guy needs to take down deer up to farther than I care to mention, and yet is not so hot as to have bullet blowups on the close stuff.

[Fjold]

Short range - 358 Winchester
200- 300 yards - 260, 7-08 or 308

[Bob in TX]

+1 7mm-08.

I use mine for all my big game hunting here in Texas. I also took my black bear in Alberta a month ago with it.

Bob

[jlcpls]

Mr. Roberts had it right.


257 Roberts, that is.

[big honkin jeep]

Come on sports fans, Deer beg to be shot with a .30 cal.

[MAGNUS]

.223

[1Shot]

Come on sports fans, Deer beg to be shot with a .30 cal.

...lol..308 with 165gr Nosler BT's...DRT... ..

[Eric in NC]

35 Remington

[hogwackr]

.270 WSM. By the time the gun is done recoilling your meal is on the ground! Can't argue with dead is dead!

[MAGNUS]

Mr. Roberts had it right.


257 Roberts, that is.

cool post

[duckcommanderfinstr]

Has anyone tried the .338 Federal for deer yet?
It's a necked up .308 as far as I know. Could be a hard hitting shorty.

[skinewmexico]

Can't say I have one. I just don't get the fascination with the short action. Maybe I've read too many posts by Hammer.

[MAGNUS]

Same could be said about the long.

338 federal seems like an excellent choice for a big calibre....

its muzzle energy exceeds the 30-06 with a similar weight bullet and equal muzzle energy to that of the 7mm rem mag!!!!

[duckcommanderfinstr]

Yup,maybe a little overkill for deer.Would be great for moose or elk too.

My fave shorty has to be the .243,though. seems to have all the power I need for deer.

[NATTY BUMPO]

Were I getting a short-action rifle it would most likely be in 260 Rem, 7mm-08, or 325 Federal if a non-magnum, or 270 WSM if a magnum.

[masterlink]

I have a .270.but i will admit i have taken more deer with my .243s than any other cal. ;D

[GUNFANATIC]

+1 on the .243. I love a flat shooting, fast bullet.

[chestsprings]

I have shot over 105 deer here in Va. in the last 25 yrs. with my Rem. 6mm. most of them with Barnes "x" bullets.

don't need a mag. to kill small deer. :)

[chunks7mm]

I have shot over 105 deer here in Va. in the last 25 yrs. with my Rem. 6mm. most of them with Barnes "x" bullets.

don't need a mag. to kill small deer. :)

good post....

why i have switched to handguns....deer are not indestructible...just as fragile as humans...just smarter than most...