Deer cartridges with minimal recoil

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Skydog

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Dec 11, 2024
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The 90 grain BT will be just fine if you want to go that way.

The 95 grain Winchester is a NBT, just coated black.

To be completely honest, if you are limiting your range to around 300 yards, the "cheap" factory Federal, Winchester, or Remington ammo with 100 grain Soft Points will be just fine without the "premium" price tag.
In regard to the Accubonds...wouldn't they be even better than the Ballistic Tips? Wouldn't they have all the same expansion/wound characteristics of the BTs, but with less fragmentation, more weight retention, no lead/copper separation, better penetration, etc.? It seems like the bonding would provide some additional insurance for these smaller bullets, especially when a less than perfect broadside shot is not available.
 

Bugger

Lil-Rokslider
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Jul 24, 2024
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Wouldn't they have all the same expansion/wound characteristics of the BTs, but with less fragmentation
Can’t have the same wound characteristics without the same fragmentation. There’s not a single shot angle I’d take with the accubond that I wouldn’t with a 95BT. It’s a more stout jacket than you’d think.
 

wind gypsy

"DADDY"
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In regard to the Accubonds...wouldn't they be even better than the Ballistic Tips? Wouldn't they have all the same expansion/wound characteristics of the BTs, but with less fragmentation, more weight retention, no lead/copper separation, better penetration, etc.? It seems like the bonding would provide some additional insurance for these smaller bullets, especially when a less than perfect broadside shot is not available.

Less fragmentation means the expansion and wound characteristics are not the same. The BT is a stoutly constructed bullet so if you believe it will penetrate sufficiently (I do), faster expansion and less weight retention generally correspond with larger diameter wounds for a given bullet dia/weight and thus offer more "insurance". To me, the primary reason to choose an accubond over a BT would be to minimize meat damage.

Nosler's own words:
Externally, they look the same except for the tip colors, Ballistic Tip® bullets are color-coded by caliber while all AccuBond® bullets have white tips. Internally the Ballistic Tip® is not bonded and is designed for controlled expansion on medium game with approximately 50-60% weight retention. Conversely, the lead alloy core of the AccuBond® is bonded to the jacket. This bonding increases weight retention (65-70%) and slows expansion resulting in deeper penetration and enhanced bone-breaking potential in larger animals.
 
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May 22, 2023
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In opinion, for whatever that is worth, the 243win, 6.5 creed and the 7mm08 are all deer killers. All are more than capable of killing deer to 300yds. I don’t believe that the recoil difference between the three is enough to really be noticeable.

Seems these days the creed is the easy button for heavy bullets, ammo selection, and availability. Followed by the 243(minus the heavy bullets) then the 7mm08. With that being said I’d probably choose the 6.5creed, But!

I love the 7mm08 always have. So I’d pick up a Tikka T3x lite SS chop it, thread it and suppress/brake it. Bam my forever deer rifle.

Suppress/braking any these cartridges will result it very little recoil.
 

liv3mind

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Jan 21, 2025
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In opinion, for whatever that is worth, the 243win, 6.5 creed and the 7mm08 are all deer killers. All are more than capable of killing deer to 300yds. I don’t believe that the recoil difference between the three is enough to really be noticeable.

Seems these days the creed is the easy button for heavy bullets, ammo selection, and availability. Followed by the 243(minus the heavy bullets) then the 7mm08. With that being said I’d probably choose the 6.5creed, But!

I love the 7mm08 always have. So I’d pick up a Tikka T3x lite SS chop it, thread it and suppress/brake it. Bam my forever deer rifle.

Suppress/braking any these cartridges will result it very little recoil.
708 is super underrated and is a fantastic choice. Even better if you reload
 

Pokerface

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Jul 9, 2023
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243 if you want to be part of the non gun looney crowd. 6.5 Grendel if you want to start getting into the looney crowd. I have not yet reached looney status, but I own and have shot both. Both are very good deer killers... Joe
 
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Skydog

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Dec 11, 2024
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I'm actually amazed at what all is available that I was totally unaware of. For the last 25+ years I've been perfectly content with my old 1988 model, wood stocked A-bolt in .270 Win. It just worked, so there was no reason to change. Now I'm being forced to change due to health issues. So, I've been somewhat oblivious to all the changes that have taken place and the current trends in rifle designs, new cartridge/bullet development, use of ARs and suppressors, mini-actions, small caliber/light bullets, extreme long-range shooting, etc. It's all very interesting. And I'm sure it's all very effective. But...I'll probably remain "old school" and stick with a classic cartridge like the .243. Not sure if I'll ever reach "looney status". ;)
 
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