Deer cartridges with minimal recoil

[Unckebob]

Problem with factory 6arc ammo, it is anemic in a bolt action. .243 win would be top choice for your situation.

I got an unexpected chance to take my daughter hunting and went with my 6ARC bolt gun. All my hand loaded ammo had BTHP bullets I was using for target practice.

Solution: buy a box of Hornady Match ammo with the 108g Eldm.

Result: Dead whitetail

Had I known about the hunt ahead of time, I would have hand loaded a much faster load using the ELDx.

It is definitely not a good long range hunting bullet, but it is stupid accurate and plenty powerful for the job.

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

I got an unexpected chance to take my daughter hunting and went with my 6ARC bolt gun. All my hand loaded ammo had BTHP bullets I was using for target practice.

Solution: buy a box of Hornady Match ammo with the 108g Eldm.

Result: Dead whitetail

Had I known about the hunt ahead of time, I would have hand loaded a much faster load using the ELDx.

It is definitely not a good long range hunting bullet, but it is stupid accurate and plenty powerful for the job.

What have your experiences been that lead you to the conclusion it's a poor bullet for long range hunting?

 

[KyleR1985]

What’s the budget?

 

[Skydog]

I really appreciate all of the responses and recommendations. It seems like the .243 is the clear winner, however, the 6 Creedmore, 6 ARC and 6.5 Grendel were also mentioned several times. I'm not very familiar with those last two "mini action" cartridges, so I will have to do some research on them. From just a quick look at some websites there is a much larger selection of both rifles and ammo for the .243 than the other 3 cartridges combined, which makes sense due to it being around so much longer.

The 6.5 CM, 7mm-08 and 25-06 were also mentioned, but I believe these would all have a good bit more recoil than the cartridges mentioned above.

 

[Skydog]

If you’re worried about a 243 being enough gun, then make sure to get a faster barrel twist so you can shoot slightly heavier bullets, and that should make up the difference.

What would be considered a faster barrel twist for a .243, and who makes one? What would be considered the standard twist for the .243 and what range of bullets will the standard twist handle vs the faster twist? From reading some other threads, it seems like the 95 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip is a popular .243 deer load.

 

[Skydog]

Browning BAR in 243?

I would get some additional recoil reduction due to the weight and the semi-auto action...right? How much more would this reduce recoil? But would I sacrifice accuracy by going from a bolt action to a BAR?

 

[Skydog]

Suppressor’s reduce recoil while greatly reducing sound and blast. It makes shooting so much more pleasurable. If you have to use a 24cal (though I think you should be open to 22 cal) then a suppressed 243 is the easy answer. You don’t even need the heavy for caliber bullets or anything fancy. Just run of the mill cup and core will be fine in 80-100gr range.

Would I even need a suppressor with a .243?

 

[liv3mind]

The performance you claim to want is being adversely impacted by your self imposed 24 cal min and refusal to use a suppressor.

6x45
6 arc
6 br
6 dasher
6 xc
6 bra
6x47

But the real answer is 223.

Suppress whatever you pick. We had a 300 yard bang flop kill with the 223 and 77 tmks this fall, others have used that combo to much further ranges on much larger game, it is very effective.

This.

 

[Skydog]

To the OP Why the self imposed limits on proven recoil reducing strategies? Muzzle breaks work amazingly well. A suppressor over a break is even better. Reduced loads through less powder, lighter bullets in combination with above and you won’t even notice the recoil.

Why the limits?

Muzzle break - increased noise.

Suppressor - looks "hideous" as someone above stated, increased length, etc.

Reduced loads - it is my understanding that the factory reduced loads are often less accurate. I don't handload.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

I just bought a 8 twist 22-250 for this purpose. I’ll be shooting 77 TMKs around 3000-3100 fps. Where did all the Rokslide .223 folks go?
Edit: just saw .24 cal min…
Disregard and carry on.

 

[Deere_Man]

243 Browning BAR will definitely decrease recoil. The original twist for a 243 Win is 1:10” and that is adequate for most bullets up to 100gr. I have had great results shooting Whitetails with 85gr Barnes TSX.

 

[rookieforever33]

1in10 is standard for a .243. Tikkas and maybe a couple other manufactures are installing 1in8 twist barrels. This helps stabilize longer/heavier bullets. It doesnt have any noticeable negative effects on standard bullets either. I would get the 1in8 if possible to increase bullet options.

 

[HandgunHTR]

What would be considered a faster barrel twist for a .243, and who makes one? What would be considered the standard twist for the .243 and what range of bullets will the standard twist handle vs the faster twist? From reading some other threads, it seems like the 95 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip is a popular .243 deer load.

A fast twist .243 has a 1:8" twist and will shoot the heavier 6mm bullets like the 108 to 115 grain bullets. "Standard" twist is 1:10" and will handle most of the factory offerings that are out there for the .243. The 95 grain NBT is a certified (by me ) deer killer and will work just fine, as long as your rifle likes the ammo it is loaded in.

Would I even need a suppressor with a .243?

Everyone needs a suppressor or 10. In regards to them "looking hideous", I have yet to run into an animal that cared what the rifle, handgun, or bow I shot it with looked like. Unless you are using ear pro when hunting, you are damaging your hearing with every shot. With a good suppressor, you are not. Plus, you get added benefit of recoil reduction. They are worth it.

 

[Axlrod]

This is what you are looking for. 243 Win. Tikka, blued & a wood stock, weighs 6.8 lbs bare. It has a fast twist (1-8"), but for 300 yards and in, you can shoot lighter bullets if you desire.
They have it in stainless for $150 more.

Tikka T3x Hunter 243 Win 22.4" 1:8" Bbl Rifle JRTXA315

Tikka T3x Hunter 243 Win 22" 1:8" Bbl Rifle JRTXA315 | Only at EuroOptic.com!

www.eurooptic.com

 

[Skydog]

Everyone needs a suppressor or 10. In regards to them "looking hideous", I have yet to run into an animal that cared what the rifle, handgun, or bow I shot it with looked like.

I get that the animals don't care, but I do. I still appreciate the aesthetics, the look and feel, of a traditional wood rifle and a clean barrel...and it adds to the enjoyment of the hunt for me. I just don't like synthetic stocks with huge "cans" hanging off the end of them, bipods, etc. I fully concede that they are more functional and definitely have their advantages, but I just don't need all that to kill deer for the type of hunting I do. And I think I will be able to reduce the recoil enough just by going to a smaller caliber so that a suppressor will not be necessary. If not, then I may be forced to consider one. We'll see.

 

[Bluefish]

Would I even need a suppressor with a .243?

Yes, your hearing/ears will thank you. I just built a 6 Arc for coyotes in an AR. Easy to shoot and if I could use it for white tails I would. Either 108 eldm or 103 eldx. Such an easy gun to shoot. Going to build one in an encore so I can push the pressure a little and get more barrel length for the same length rifle.

 

[coyotekilla]

I have & have taken deer with a pretty good selection of cartridges. Low recoil deer catchers would be the 300aac, 6.5 grendel, 6 arc, 243, 6.5 creed maybe. The other option, handloaded high bc bullets in the 22-250

Suppressor & locking in a tripod will help further reduce felt recoil. I feel a suppressor lengthens the time of the recoil pulse more than softens it, if that makes sense.

 

[KenLee]

With your situation, I'd buy a 243 BAR and go kill stuff. Preferably a MKII Safari since looks matter to you. (If you can find one). If not the wood MK3 is still a handsome rifle.

 

[MBounds69]

+ 1 for 6.5 Grendel with Hornady 123SST out to 300 yards