Best caliber for small to medium-small game and for Target.

[ziegler44]

I was taking a look at the scope i have, its a Leapers 4x32 AO. It has 4 adjustments on it: 2 for windage and elevation, one for distance, and 1 for focusing.

http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee48/jobobzig/?action=view&current=100MEDIA_IMAG0118.jpg

Sorry for the bad phone quality.

 

[coug]

I would think a .260 Remington would be perfect.

 

[benzy2]

Take the advice above on scopes. It doesn't take extreme magnification to shoot small groups. I'd take a quality low power scope over a cheap high power scope. Along with those listed above, the Nikon Buckmaster line, Burris Fullfield, and Leupold VX-I line are decent, though the VX-I has been a bit hit or miss, all without breaking the bank. You will be far ahead to buy quality over features. I've tried most of the China made budget scopes and left unhappy with them all. Trying a couple of those listed above has changed my mind on what a scope should be.

 

[chrome_austex]

benzy knows his stuff. You're not giving anything up with a 9x for most target shooting, including long range stuff.

Very high power scopes (12x+) are for target identification, and for impractical benchrest type guns.

Low powers (1-2x) are nice to have in a pinch when long range (200y+) shooting isn't guaranteed.

I have an SWFA 3-9x SS which is badass for 100-500y, IMHO. A 2-7x or 1.5-6x or simpler may be more ideal for your typical hunting distances, while a 9x-12x top end and are admittedly nice for stable target work. If you don't care about shooting in low light, then a smaller objective is probably better due to cost and weight if you don't need the light gathering.

Shoot the 4x until it gives up the ghost if you like. (fixed powers have the advantage of field of view, IIRC)

Pass on the VX-I if it still has analog turrets. Those work, but suck for user friendliness (similar for any analog turrets). Turrets with clicks are sooo much easier to use.

 

[mr.trooper]

A solid choice Ziegler. The Marlin is a pretty good gun, and the 30-06 is a great all around cartridge.

3-9x variable power is widely regarded as the most versatile type of scope for hunting. Spend a good amount on the scope and you will be better off in the long run.

Nikon, Leupold, and Burris all make some excellent optics around the $200 mark. I wouldn't go any cheaper on a scope that you plan to use for anything important.

Somewhere to start looking:
* Nikon Pro-Staff ($150)
* Burris Timberline ($200)
* Leupold Rifleman ($220)

I have the 4x version of that Nikon on my CZ 453 in 17HMR. It is a lot of good scope for the money you pay. I can highly recommend the Leupold as well, but all three are excellent budget optics.

 

[kingcheese]

ok, the guy that says you need a 308 or a 30-06 must hate mosin nagants

the 7.62x54r falls between thoose two rounds

a 270 is a neced down 30-06

a 223 is going to be a more logical choice

a .270 and a 30-06 make a little more energy then a nagant rifle
the nagant rifle makes around 2800-3000 foot pounds muzzle energy for the better loads
a 308 is just a lttle weaker
a 223 is a lot smaller but you can make them accurate for cheap
17hmr is my current obsesion, it comes in a light weight package, shoots accurate, and can drop a wild hog, but is very vunerable to range, wind, and shot placement

your 22 should honestly be enough to cover most small game, the nagant would be overkill on most large game, a 223 would be a good in-between round

 

[rwilson37643]

if money is an option i'd go with the .308. long standing reputation, good guns availible stable balistics. if money is not an issue maybe a custom .284 win

 

[Tentwing]

The good ole 30-06 is always a good choice. It falls into my "everyone should own one catagory"

Hope you enjoy yours,.....Tentwing

 

[Hocka Louis]

.243 (and its bigger brother, the 7mm-08, only if ya really need it).
Gehr

 

[M_E_]

I work for a custom rifle manufacturer. You want to target shoot & hunt game?

6.5 Creedmore.

Same trajectory as a 300 Winchester Magnum with a 140 gr bullet. Hits harder at 1,000 yards than a 178gr VLD 308 does at the same range. 1/5 the throat wear than a 260 Remington. All with the recoil of a 80 gr 243.

I would hunt elk with one out to 500 yards.

 

[mortablunt]

.223 (for medium-small)
7.62X39 (medium)
.303 (medium)
.22LR (small)

 

[Maverick223]

1/5 the throat wear than a 260 Remington.

Care to site a reference for that?

All with the recoil of a 80 gr 243.

Not hardly. It's not bad, but it isn't a .243Win. (at least not if properly loaded).

Personally I still favor the .260Rem. (AI version if you want to reduce throat erosion) for the better brass (Lapua).

 

[cookekdjr]

.243

Low recoil, available in wide variety of rifles, and ammo is available everywhere.
And the best long range rifle shooter in the US uses it for 1,000 yard competitions so it must be ok for long rang shots.