All around deer hunting cartridge.

Tallest

FNG
Joined
Feb 12, 2024
Messages
9
Location
Shenandoah Valley
.243 or 7mm-08 - I like both, but the more I learn, the more I think I would only own the 243 if I hadn't already bought the 7mm-08 too.

But... all that said, if I could go back in time knowing what I know now, I would only own a 6CM. With the right bullet selection, I would happily hunt and deer species with a 243/6mm.
 

06 SB

FNG
Joined
Mar 19, 2024
Messages
84
Location
AL/GA Line
My favorite is the 338Fed but regularly use a 243, 7mm08, 30-06 and more recently added a 270 to the line up.
 

Jrkotz

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 1, 2016
Messages
218
I've landed on an 18" lightweight 6mm Creed with 108/109 ELDM (upgrade from 105 AMAX) for walking/stalking, and a 25 Creed with 131 Blackjack/133 Bergers for stand hunting.
 

BrianS

FNG
Joined
Mar 22, 2024
Messages
12
I love my Bergara HMR Pro in .300 Win Mag for just about anything. She’s on the heavy side though. Wouldn’t want to take it hiking in the mountains. I’m looking into getting or building a 7 PRC though for a lighter weight do it all rifle.
 

Billyvan

FNG
Joined
Mar 27, 2024
Messages
15
my all around is a 300 weatherby mag from a coyote to moose i do not have to change loads my gun shoots the 180 gr accoubond at 3250 fps and 4221 energy. what is your all around coyote to moose cartridge. ( you do not need a 300 weatherby mag to go from coyote to moose i just like it cause what ever it hits is dead)
Im thinking simple here so im gonna say 308. 30 cal hole, light loads for yotes and heavys for the moose. Its also my favorite whitetail cal if i could only choose one for woods or open ground.
 
Joined
Jun 1, 2024
Messages
44
I’d happily use almost any cartridge between .243 Winchester and 8x57 Mauser for any North American game animal with hooves at normal hunting ranges (absolute max of 500 yards with “average max” closer to 300).

And the only reason I don’t go below .243 is that the Commonwealth of Virginia won’t let me use .223.

Get a good bullet and put it in the vitals and the animal will never be able to provide an opinion as to what killed it. More powerful cartridges just provide more penetration from difficult shot angles, but any of them will do the job.

As for coyotes, unless you are preserving the hide, just shoot them with anything you have.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Long Cut

WKR
Joined
May 24, 2019
Messages
364
.223, .243, 7mm-08, 6.5 Creed, 6.5 PRC, .270, .308…. Choose your fighter
 
Joined
Jul 27, 2021
Messages
1,515
30-06 store bought ammo is rather easy to acquire just about wherever your at, wide range of bullet weights, easy to find brass for if you re-load, plenty of killing power out to 4-500 yards.
 

sambo3006

FNG
Joined
Aug 26, 2021
Messages
72
Location
Missouri
I've settled on the .257 Wby with 90 gr Hammers at 3800 fps. It was previously 100 gr E tips at 3600 fps. Where I hunt, shots can range from 25 yards to 500 yards. I can shoot a deer from any angle without worry that the bullet will not penetrate. I can also take a 400 yard shot without holding off of hair. It is truly the easy button. I have taken quite a few deer with it from ranges of 30 yards to 425 yards, plus a couple of coyotes that had the misfortune of giving me a shot.
 

FLS

WKR
Joined
May 11, 2019
Messages
775
I’ve killed more with a 25-06 than anything else. 115 Berger, 115 NBT, 117 Sierras launched at 3000-3100 are all a death ray on deer sized game. At 600 yards the 115 Berger is still going 2000 FPS out of my rifle. That’s enough speed to make that bullet work well. Longest shot last year was 410 yard on a medium sized NC 8 pointer. He went down like you flipped a switch and just turned him off. Most of the deer I’ve shot with it have reacted similarly. None went more than a few yards after being hit.
 

Luked

WKR
Joined
Apr 3, 2014
Messages
1,033
If your talking Deer all around cartridge mine is going to be 6.5CM or 6.5PRC.
If I were to go up to Elk I personally don't see anything that would make me change from the 6.5
 

Watrdawg

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 30, 2019
Messages
175
Location
NC
All around rifle I'd have a hard time picking between a 6.5PRC or 7mmPRC. I have both and shoot them interchangeably. Just depends on which one I feel like shooting that day. I have a 300WM that is as accurate as either of the PRC's but it's become a safe queen now. No need for it.
 

BA-IV

FNG
Joined
Jun 17, 2024
Messages
18
If I wanted one rifle that could do it all, and have readily available ammo absolutely anywhere, I would go with this list in order. Any of them kills anything around here, may not be fancy or what’s in style nowadays but any of the three rounds I mention will get the job done.

1…308
2…30-06
3…270
 
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