ideal caliber for antelope/deer - mid to long distance range?

I haven't tried enough calibers to say what is ideal but my favorite so far is a 25-06. If you are going to use your 7 mag, I would lean towards the heavier bullet so you don't get the "varmint" effect. I was with a guy once who shot an antelope with a 7 mag with 125 grain Winchester factory load. It almost looked like a prairie dog shot. But, it did kill him very DRT.

I've actually killed more antelope with a bow than with a rifle so maybe my opinion shouldn't count for much though.
 
WYO - Most of my long range game hunting friends like the 270, 25-06, 6.5 and the 7MM REM MAG. I'm a 7MM bigot. We hunt with a 7MM REM MAG(with muzzle brake) using 154 GR Hornady SST bullets and 60 GR of IMR 4831 pushing it. Estimated muzzle velocity is about 2950-3150. My wife killed a deer a year for the last two using that rifle and holding dead on(sighted in for 200 yds) she single shot the first at 225 yards and the second at 220 yds. The second was head on and she got him dead center(white patch) in the neck. Mine have been 90 yds, 90 yds(same exact spot) and 217. All but one were one shot kills. The one I screwed up initially, but, got it cleaned up in a 1/4 mile. (It was a 4X4 at 90 yards) We have a rebarreled Mauser 95 in 7X57(my dads gun)(estimated muzzle velocity is about 2600) in the gun shop right now having a muzzle brake put on for a second 7MM for deer season.

The ONE rifle every one(I know) swears by though is the 270.
 
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It's fun to talk about what's best - I shoot a .260 because it's perfect. Really, with anything from a .243 on up and a well-placed shot, the deer or antelope won't know the difference.
 
I know each has there favorite, my favorite is .270 Winchester. Mine is a Rem 700 ADL with comp camo stock. I paid 437.00 after rebate with a 3-9x40 factory no name scope from Wally World. First time out with Winchester Super X 130 gr. power point off the shelf bullets. I ran a patch of hoppes down the barrel and started shooting. Took about 12 shots to get it on target. Here's the final results at 100 yds. group #1-2 shots, adjust scope group #2-2 shots,adjust scope group #3-2 shots one is a flier, this is 1" low at 100 so it should be flat at 200 from what I read about this caliber. I dont claim to be a sniper or gun guru. I have shot guns all my life although. By the way the top and bottom holes are from golf tees to hold the target on the cardboard.

remmy-700-ADL.jpg
 
257 wyb mag or 25-06

7mm would foot the bill nicely too

257mag is a great cartridge but a bit hard to load for as the throat is very very long and requires a good long bullet
 
Originally Posted By: ozzyOriginally Posted By: LonnyIf you are zeroed 1" low at 100 yards could you explain what you mean by "should be flat at 200" Just curious. Sorry, Like I said I'm not a reloader or sniper. I use off the shelf. I misread for this brand. Should be 1.8 at 100yds, 0 at 200yds. My bad.
whistle.gif
Anyways not to bad for a budget rifle.

http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog/cfrdetail.aspx?symbol=X2705&bn=1&type=12

Not to hijack this thread but I think you need to notice that the "1.8" is positive (+) so that means you should sight in 1.8" HIGH at 100 to be dead on at 200. You're gonna be about 5" low or more at 200 by sighting in 1.8" low at 100.

Back on topic, I love my heavy barreled VLS in 243 for long range antelope, and would bet on anything under 500 to be dead. I shoot that rifle all year long at long range groundhogs. With my Leica rangefinder and click chart, anything "deer sized" is toast.

I would question the engergy factor of the 243 over 500 yards though. Factor in large mule deer which can weigh 300+ pounds, I think I'd opt for the 7mm-08, 280 or even my 7mm Mag. for more energy delivered at those ranges and higher BC bullets to handle wind. I'd really like to try the 257 Wby or 264 Win mag sometime for those applications too.

Like desert ram and others have said, you don't need to take those long shots, especially on antelope.

bownut
 
Originally Posted By: bownutOriginally Posted By: ozzyOriginally Posted By: LonnyIf you are zeroed 1" low at 100 yards could you explain what you mean by "should be flat at 200" Just curious. Sorry, Like I said I'm not a reloader or sniper. I use off the shelf. I misread for this brand. Should be 1.8 at 100yds, 0 at 200yds. My bad.
whistle.gif
Anyways not to bad for a budget rifle.

http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog/cfrdetail.aspx?symbol=X2705&bn=1&type=12

Not to hijack this thread but I think you need to notice that the "1.8" is positive (+) so that means you should sight in 1.8" HIGH at 100 to be dead on at 200. You're gonna be about 5" low or more at 200 by sighting in 1.8" low at 100.

Back on topic, I love my heavy barreled VLS in 243 for long range antelope, and would bet on anything under 500 to be dead. I shoot that rifle all year long at long range groundhogs. With my Leica rangefinder and click chart, anything "deer sized" is toast.

I would question the engergy factor of the 243 over 500 yards though. Factor in large mule deer which can weigh 300+ pounds, I think I'd opt for the 7mm-08, 280 or even my 7mm Mag. for more energy delivered at those ranges and higher BC bullets to handle wind. I'd really like to try the 257 Wby or 264 Win mag sometime for those applications too.

Like desert ram and others have said, you don't need to take those long shots, especially on antelope.

bownut bownut, thanks. I had my calculations mixed at first. I thought something else until I re-read the info. Yes + 1.8 at 100 will/should give me 0 at 200.
 
One thing I noticed that wasn't realy specified in the OP was what is the OP considering to be mid and long range. Some of the guys I hunt with consider anything beyond 200-250 to be long range. Personaly I figure anything under 300 a chip shot, up to 500 or so midrange. By 600 in the field we are into long range just because the wind can cause so many problems by this point.
 


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