Blacktail deer cartridge

Joined
Aug 23, 2014
Messages
5,561
Location
oregon coast
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It’s just a list of cartridges that have enough knockdown power for blacktail bucks. It’s a good list, and I agree that the 300wm is great for small people who are recoil shy, but they just don’t have the shock and awe I seek… I like the more middle of the road, 250-ish gr bullet over 3200fps as a starting point
 

257flat

FNG
Joined
Feb 21, 2025
Messages
5
257 wby. Sight in 3” high-at 100yds.100 grain ttsx. No need to adjust your scope out to 500. In the heat of the moment hunting alpine/timberline and all you have is a moment and no time to range and adjust your scope. At 400 yards hold at the top of the vitals. If he’s passed 500 you probably have time to dial if necessary. That being said I’ve never shot a deer passed 430yds. There’s just no need to take longer shots. 257 wby simplifies 99 % of hunting scenarios. No need to think about ballistics. If I could shoot the 110 grain accubond in California I would. I’ve shot 3 elk with my 257 out to 410yds. All died within 40 yards of the shot. Deer, bang flop. Close range shots, 150 yards or less and the meat damage is severe. Recoil is very manageable. 240wby is another great option. I like laser beams.
 
Joined
Jun 7, 2023
Messages
829
Location
Wyoming
257 wby. Sight in 3” high-at 100yds.100 grain ttsx. No need to adjust your scope out to 500. In the heat of the moment hunting alpine/timberline and all you have is a moment and no time to range and adjust your scope. At 400 yards hold at the top of the vitals. If he’s passed 500 you probably have time to dial if necessary. That being said I’ve never shot a deer passed 430yds. There’s just no need to take longer shots. 257 wby simplifies 99 % of hunting scenarios. No need to think about ballistics. If I could shoot the 110 grain accubond in California I would. I’ve shot 3 elk with my 257 out to 410yds. All died within 40 yards of the shot. Deer, bang flop. Close range shots, 150 yards or less and the meat damage is severe. Recoil is very manageable. 240wby is another great option. I like laser beams.
While this viewpoint is outdated, it still works. I'm a dialer now, but in reality, I rarely do so in the heat of the moment. In addition, I wonder how many opportunities are missed because hunters fiddle with ranging and dialing instead of just sending it "1997 style" instead?
 

257flat

FNG
Joined
Feb 21, 2025
Messages
5
My viewpoint is outdated. It should not be. My buddies with their fancy new cartridge and high end rifle/scope struggle every time. It’s exciting seeing a big high country deer. Our highcountry deer in California move fast. You get anxiety, become forgetful (remembering ballistics) and he walks away. Or he moves again and you got to range again. Oh and then there’s remembering to dial your scope back to zero. The industry needs to be fed, give it your hard earned money and purchase more equipment you probably don’t need. In reality your 7rem mag, 270 Win, 243, 25-06 sighted in 3” high at 100 is a fantastic option. Get a good 2-12, 3-15 power scope and you are good to go.

If you have money spend it go for it. Buy the best of the best. But get a laser beam. You will simplify 99% of all hunting scenarios.

It’s like the archery side of this. Light vs heavy. Lighter, faster, less drop= less chance to introduce anxiety/mistakes. Heavy? =slow, more drop, more chances of misjudging yardage and missing. Of coarse there are more variables to think about but faster solves a lot of them.
 
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