Please help me pick a deer rifle and caliber.

[Theohazard]

I’m an experienced shooter but I’ve never hunted anything bigger than a rabbit. I’m looking to go deer hunting next season and I need some advice on what rifle to buy. Here are my preferred requirements for that rifle:

-bolt action (semis aren’t legal for hunting here in PA)

-a caliber good for both smaller game and deer (I don’t intend to hunt anything bigger than a deer)

-a factory threaded barrel (I’m a silencer guy)

-no bigger than 30 caliber (don’t have a silencer for anything bigger)

-a low recoil round

-a flat shooting round within normal hunting ranges (I don’t need a long-distance round, but I’d like to have minimal drop within 200 yards or so)

-preferably a short action

The caliber I’ve chosen so far is .243, it seems to fit my needs perfectly. Though I’m open to suggestions. And the rifle that seems to fit my needs is the Ruger American Predator in .243, though to be honest, I haven’t found another rifle that hits all those requirements.


Does anyone have any other caliber or rifle suggestions? Is the Ruger a good, accurate rifle? Are my requirements off, and if so, why? I’m a hunting newbie so I appreciate all the advice I can get. Thanks.

 

[horsey300]

I’m an experienced shooter but I’ve never hunted anything bigger than a rabbit. I’m looking to go deer hunting next season and I need some advice on what rifle to buy. Here are my preferred requirements for that rifle:

-bolt action (semis aren’t legal for hunting here in PA)

-a caliber good for both smaller game and deer (I don’t intend to hunt anything bigger than a deer)

-a factory threaded barrel (I’m a silencer guy)

-no bigger than 30 caliber (don’t have a silencer for anything bigger)

-a low recoil round

-a flat shooting round within normal hunting ranges (I don’t need a long-distance round, but I’d like to have minimal drop within 200 yards or so)

-preferably a short action

The caliber I’ve chosen so far is .243, it seems to fit my needs perfectly. Though I’m open to suggestions. And the rifle that seems to fit my needs is the Ruger American Predator in .243, though to be honest, I haven’t found another rifle that hits all those requirements.


Does anyone have any other caliber or rifle suggestions? Is the Ruger a good, accurate rifle? Are my requirements off, and if so, why? I’m a hunting newbie so I appreciate all the advice I can get. Thanks.

I like your choice, you don't mention the min range so I'll warn you, keep the ballistic tips for small critters or deer 75+ yds, 100 gr bullets, bonded, partitions, or coppers for up close out to 200 and you'll be just fine. Based on your parameters, I can't think of a better option. If you want to load for it, it's a good one, if not, there are plenty of factory offerings, the recoil won't leave you fatigued, and you've got plenty of versatility, the faster twist of the ruger barrel lets you utilize any of the game bullets you'll ever need. I'd say jump on it and grin while you practice!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

.260 or 7mm-08 gets my vote.

 

[beeenbag]

I think you just described the Ruger American Ranch in 300 blk. 125 grain stuff for hunting and still have the ability to go sub sonic and shoot really quiet with your suppressor, comes factory threaded. I have one in 7.62x39 and love it. It is a short and handy rifle as well.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I like the Rugers alot.

Another option is the T/C compass by Smith & Wesson. I believe they are still running a $75 rebate until April.

For caliber, I'd look at a short action in the .308 family. I prefer 7mm-08 but .243 would be nice as you can also use it for varmints later if you want. But then again, can't go wrong with a .30-06 or .270 or even a .25-06.

 

[Sav .250]

Lots of good cals fall with in your requirements. Asking gets opinions. Take it for what it`s worth.
The 243 cal will get the job done .Plus if your re-coil sensitive, you can buy reduced loads.

 

[jmr40]

The Predator from Ruger is an excellent choice. I have some really nice rifles, some that I have $1000+ invested in, but none shoot any better than the sub $400 Predators I own. I have 308 and 6.5 Creedmoor.

I'd strongly suggest waiting until the versions that take the Accuracy International magazines are available. The 223's will take AR magazines. They are shown on Rugers website, but I've yet to actually see one. I've read reports of some guys having the 223 Predator that take AR magazines.

https://ruger.com/products/americanRiflePredator/specSheets/26972.html

The original Predators magazine is the weak link and since Ruger has introduced this version I think they have a real winner. They come from the factory with a 3 round mag that extends only slightly below the stock. The 5 and 10 round mags are available at reasonable costs.

The 243 is an excellent choice for deer and smaller game. It can be used on elk size game, but is far from ideal for game larger than deer. For what you want to do the 6.5 Creedmoor would be my pick. Recoil is virtually the same as 243, ammo is reasonably priced and readily available. But with the heavier 140+ gr bullets is a legitimate elk and large game round. It will kill anything a 270, 7-08 or 308 will kill, with 25% to 35% less recoil. And the excellent bullets available along with the Predator rifle give you an out of the box 1000 yard target rifle. Go to You-Tube and type in "Ruger Predator 6.5 Creedmoor" and watch the results guys are getting shooting out to a mile with this rifle.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ruger+6.5+creedmoor+american+predator

 

[Armored farmer]

.243 gets my vote.
The minimum for elk too, if you get the opportunity.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

IF you want to do everything on your list, using the .243 or even the 6.5 Creedmoor, I think you are talking about also getting into reloading. I read where a fellow using a 105 grain bullet in a reload took a 265 pound Axis buck at 225 yards with his .243 Win.

jmr40 is right, the 6.5 will give you more umph if you want to go for elk and not fool with reloading, but if not, that .243 will be fine for whitetail, and you can load it down to well under 2000 fps to use with a suppressor and low noise, and might as well use the same load for small game. You could also down load to subsonic if that was your wish. You can also download the 6.5 Creedmoor too..., you might think about that.

I got a Mossberg Patriot/Patrol in .223 and it came with a threaded muzzle. I like it very much, but down here in Maryland a lot of areas prohibit anything larger than a ".22" caliber rifle for hunting, and they don't specify it must be a rimfire cartridge, so some of us use bolt action .223's or single shots. Now for deer, some folks balk, but fellows shooting 75 - 80 grain projectiles say they have no problems with humane harvests. You can get the Mossberg in 6.5 Creedmoor and .243 Winchester too.

Still, the Ruger is a bit higher quality than the Mossberg, and should do you very well.

LD

 

[Theohazard]

I think you just described the Ruger American Ranch in 300 blk. 125 grain stuff for hunting and still have the ability to go sub sonic and shoot really quiet with your suppressor, comes factory threaded.

I already have an 8.3" 300 Blackout SBR with a silencer. I can't hunt with it, but it satisfies the fun factor of super-quiet subs. But for hunting, I can't see any reason to go with subs; ballistically, supers do everything better.

I thought about getting the Ruger in 300 BO like you mention, but I decided against it since the .243 would be flatter-shooting and better for varmints.

I prefer 7mm-08

Does anyone make a factory-threaded rifle in 7mm-08 that's not a heavy target/tactical rifle? Most factory-threaded bolt guns aren't hunting rifles like the Ruger American line.

For what you want to do the 6.5 Creedmoor would be my pick.

So how do the .243 and 6.5 compare in terms of bullet drop within 200 yards and also in terms of suitably for smaller game? I suck at range estimation and a range finder isn't in my budget at the moment, so a cartridge that's flat shooting within normal hunting ranges is a must for me, especially since I plan to also shoot small game with this rifle. Also, it's my understanding that the 6.5 Creedmoor really shines as a long-range round, but if I'm not planning on shooting it beyond a few hundred yards, will the .243 do the job almost as well on deer and better on small game?

I think you are talking about also getting into reloading. jmr40 is right, the 6.5 will give you more umph if you want to go for elk, but if not, that .243 will be fine for whitetail, and you can load it down to under 2000 fps to use with a suppressor, and might as well use the same load for the small game. You could also down load to subsonic if that was your wish. You can also download the 6.5 Creedmoor too..., you might think about that.

I don't plan to shooting anything bigger than a deer, so no plans for elk. Also, I don't plan to get into reloading at the moment, I just don't have the time. Maybe in a few years.

I also have no need for down-loaded rounds. Silencers still work great with full-powered loads, and subsonic rifle rounds are slooooow and have terrible ballistics.

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. It seems to me from your feedback that the Ruger is a good choice for my needs, I just need to figure out if the 6.5 Creedmoor is actually a better choice for me than the .243.

 

[Patocazador]

Lots of good cals fall with in your requirements. Asking gets opinions. Take it for what it`s worth.
The 243 cal will get the job done .Plus if your re-coil sensitive, you can buy reduced loads.

I agree with the above post. They are everywhere and I've never run into anyone who couldn't handle the recoil of a .243. The noise is loud but your suppressor should tame that a bit. 85 or 95 gr. Nosler Partition bullets will do the job on deer if you reload. Otherwise, buy the store stuff with a 100 gr. bullet.

 

[MCgunner]

Squirrel hunting with a .243? The small game thing is what I'm hung up on. .243 works for deer, of course. Be good for woodchucks. We don't have woodchucks. I prefer my .257 Roberts, but I'm a handloader and can get away with it.

As to specific rifles, I'm not in to silencers, so I don't really know what's available with threaded barrels. Of course, anything supersonic is going to make a loud bang, but I guess the point is to dampen the muzzle blast to save your ears.

 

[horsey300]

I agree with the above post. They are everywhere and I've never run into anyone who couldn't handle the recoil of a .243. The noise is loud but your suppressor should tame that a bit. 85 or 95 gr. Nosler Partition bullets will do the job on deer if you reload. Otherwise, buy the store stuff with a 100 gr. bullet.

You forgot factory 95fusions. They're tough, affordable, scary accurate, and easy to find.

 

[Theohazard]

Squirrel hunting with a .243? The small game thing is what I'm hung up on. .243 works for deer, of course. Be good for woodchucks. We don't have woodchucks.

Sorry, I’m a hunting newbie so my terminology is probably off. When I say “small game” I just mean things smaller than deer. I plan to use this rifle on deer and also smaller animals like coyotes and groundhogs. If I hunt animals like squirrels and rabbits I’ll use my 10/22.

 

[horsey300]

Sorry, I’m a hunting newbie so my terminology is probably off. When I say “small game” I just mean things smaller than deer. I plan to use this rifle on deer and also smaller animals like coyotes and groundhogs. If I hunt animals like squirrels and rabbits I’ll use my 10/22.

The .243 will be perfect for that sir!

 

[red rick]

I would choose 6.5 Creedmoor , the new in caliber or .243 for what you are going to do . I like the TC Venture in a budget gun .

 

[Laphroaig]

85 or 95 gr. Nosler Partition bullets will do the job on deer if you reload. Otherwise, buy the store stuff with a 100 gr. bullet.

I'm not a big 243 fan for deer, but think partitions or at minimum heavy for caliber bullets will make it a solid choice. It definitely is a great choice for varmints though.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I

Does anyone make a factory-threaded rifle in 7mm-08 that's not a heavy target/tactical rifle? Most factory-threaded bolt guns aren't hunting rifles like the Ruger American line.

I mentioned the T/C compass earlier, but you may have missed it. If you aren't aware, here's their website, as they aren't super duper popular in comparison to the names like "Remington" or "Ruger".

https://www.tcarms.com/firearms/bolt-action-rifles/t-c-compass-rifles/t-c-compass

Also, since you're in PA, here's some real market pricing, $299 from Grice Gun Shop in Central PA
https://www.gricegunshop.com/firearms/rifles.html?manufacturer=327&product_list_order=price

 

[Theohazard]

I mentioned the T/C compass earlier, but you may have missed it. If you aren't aware, here's their website, as they aren't super duper popular in comparison to the names like "Remington" or "Ruger".

Thanks! I’ll check that out for sure when I get to a computer. Actually, I work at a gun shop so I’m just going to order in whatever rifle I choose.

One question about caliber: I’ve decided on the .243 over the 6.5 Creedmore since they’re both very similar on deer at the distances I’m looking to shoot (200 yards and less), but the .243 is better for varmints. How does the 7mm-08 compare to the .243 as a flat-shooting varmint round?

I probably should have made my thread title “Please help me pick a deer/varmint rifle and caliber.”.

 

[ChanceMcCall]

I’m an experienced shooter but I’ve never hunted anything bigger than a rabbit. I’m looking to go deer hunting next season and I need some advice on what rifle to buy. Here are my preferred requirements for that rifle:

-bolt action (semis aren’t legal for hunting here in PA)

-a caliber good for both smaller game and deer (I don’t intend to hunt anything bigger than a deer)

-a factory threaded barrel (I’m a silencer guy)

-no bigger than 30 caliber (don’t have a silencer for anything bigger)

-a low recoil round

-a flat shooting round within normal hunting ranges (I don’t need a long-distance round, but I’d like to have minimal drop within 200 yards or so)

-preferably a short action

The caliber I’ve chosen so far is .243, it seems to fit my needs perfectly. Though I’m open to suggestions. And the rifle that seems to fit my needs is the Ruger American Predator in .243, though to be honest, I haven’t found another rifle that hits all those requirements.


Does anyone have any other caliber or rifle suggestions? Is the Ruger a good, accurate rifle? Are my requirements off, and if so, why? I’m a hunting newbie so I appreciate all the advice I can get. Thanks.

I pretty much agree with everyone about the .243 being a darn good caliber, but, it seems like you are looking for more info. The best deer rifle caliber I have ever used on white tails at the distances you are describing is the .222 and the Sako is the perfect gun for it. Very accurate ammo and very accurate gun. If you end up going that way, and you are looking for deer and smaller game, you will never be sorry.

 

[horsey300]

Thanks! I’ll check that out for sure when I get to a computer. Actually, I work at a gun shop so I’m just going to order in whatever rifle I choose.

One question about caliber: I’ve decided on the .243 over the 6.5 Creedmore since they’re both very similar on deer at the distances I’m looking to shoot (200 yards and less), but the .243 is better for varmints. How does the 7mm-08 compare to the .243 as a flat-shooting varmint round?

I probably should have made my thread title “Please help me pick a deer/varmint rifle and caliber.”.

If the 6.5 doesn't do what you're wanting, the 7 won't make it better. Both are fine chamberings, but on varmints the 6.5 would be the better choice. The recoil, b.c., velocity ratio favors the .264" bullets. The 7-08 is like a grownup .308 case for large game, it reaches the big critters nicely, and can be used for small critters handily with proper loading, but a "varmint gun" it ain't. The 6.5 is as big as I'd go and still say varmint unless the words "magnum" and "long range" are being utilized in the same sentence. On the flip side, the .223 is as light as I'd go and still say deer (again with proper barrel twist and loading). The .22-250/.243 is right about perfectly where you wanna be for your purposes, with the .243 winning in big game versatility, higher b.c. bullet availability, easy access big game factory ammo.

 

[WestKentucky]

There are lots of options, I would vote for the savage hog hunter 308 just because that’s what I have been looking at recently but truthfully your at least in the right ballpark. Ruger makes a good gun, Savage is probably the only really strong competition in the budget bolt category as they are both quality rifles with features that make them stand out over similarly priced offerings from Remington and others.

Caliber choice isn’t easy since I don’t know if you reload or have any other rifles, but I would look seriously at 7-08. It’s a great midpoint between .243 and .308 so you get a heavier bullet than .243 and have flatter trajectory than .308 which sounds like my thought process on my first rifle deciding between 30-06, .270, and 25-06. If you reload I would probably stick to .243 and make some heavy loads scream, but if not, 7-08 is the way to go.

Now, between savage and Ruger... savage all day long based on accuracy. Get a synthetic stock, pull the stock off and clean it up to ensure no funky spots touch the barrel and slap it back onto the gun. Ruger isn’t far behind on accuracy, but it’s one of those deals where it takes a GOOD Ruger to outshoot a bad savage, and the bad savage is an hours worth of work from a rematch win. We are talking half-dollar groups to quarter groups...not a huge difference, but still a difference.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I also have no need for down-loaded rounds.

I'm sorry, you opened the thread with this as part of your criteria,

"..., I’ve never hunted anything bigger than a rabbit....
-a caliber good for both smaller game and deer (I don’t intend to hunt anything bigger than a deer)"

So if you're not powering down from the factory loads with reloads, and you hit a rabbit in the body with a factory .243 Winchester or a 6.5 Creedmoor at 200 yards or less, it's more than likely to be a fur bag full of mush. So that means you're going to need to go for headshots and only headshots..., and in that case you don't need to worry about the cartridge as long as it's accurate from your rifle. Get whatever you want in that case.

LD

 

[Theohazard]

I'm sorry, you opened the thread with this as part of your criteria,

"..., I’ve never hunted anything bigger than a rabbit....
-a caliber good for both smaller game and deer (I don’t intend to hunt anything bigger than a deer)"

So if you're not powering down from the factory loads with reloads, and you hit a rabbit in the body with a factory .243 Winchester or a 6.5 Creedmoor at 200 yards or less, it's more than likely to be a fur bag full of mush. So that means you're going to need to go for headshots and only headshots..., and in that case you don't need to worry about the cartridge as long as it's accurate from your rifle. Get whatever you want in that case.

LD

See post #14.

And if I come across a situation where I need less power, maybe I will actually need down-loaded rounds. Like I said, I'm a hunting newbie.

 

[SoonerMedic]

-a factory threaded barrel (I’m a silencer guy)

-no bigger than 30 caliber (don’t have a silencer for anything bigger)

-a flat shooting round within normal hunting ranges (I don’t need a long-distance round, but I’d like to have minimal drop within 200 yards or so)

Well common now, you can't have both! lol I was going to suggest a .308 since you're wanting to hunt with a suppressed rifle. I don't think a .243 will have the umph at 200 yds. I think a .308 will barely have the umph if you're shooting subsonics in both calibers. If you're not shooting subsonic then the suppressor is just adding length and weight to your rifle. Just my .02