The "Perfect" Deer Rifle

[zjfty9]

My uncle is planning on buying a new rifle soon, and we've been discussing what calibre he should get. We hunt Missouri, where there can be shot from 50-800 yards depending on if we are hunting crop fields or in the timber. He wants a rifle mostly for shots under 450 yards, but also for the occasional longer range shot as well. He also like cartriges that aren't that popular, just so he can say he has something different. We got it narrowed for now to .264 Win mag, 6.5-284, .270wsm. I really like the .264, but it's belted and I usually stay away from belted cartriges...I don't really have a good reason other than I've never had one. Any help and info will be appriciated.

[JCFORD]

Zjfty9, out of the choices I would probably go 270 WSM, but I really like the 264. Maybe a 6.5 WSM?? That is unique caliber and would handle the load, but requires having a smith at the very least rechamber a barrel for you/him. There are some very good 6.5(.264) bullets to pick from.
I am in the process of having built just what you are talking about. I am having Kirby Allen (Fiftydriver here on the forum) build me a 7mm Dakota with a 26" #4 Lilja fluted barrel, to be my tried and true deer rifle. I told him I wanted to be able to do 750 yards and this is what we settled on. I am planning trips to Colorado & Alberta in the next few years as well as hunting here at home in Kansas and Oklahoma. Kirby has a whole stable of unique calibers of his own making if you uncle is willing to go custom, and they will all do the job.

Good Luck in your quest.

[trebark]

You might not believe this, but.....I'm going to recommend the .280Remington. Awesome cartridge, lots of 7mm/284 bullets for reloading. It will easily take deer at 500 yards and with a well placed shot it will reach out to 750.

[fariswm]

If you headspace the .264 on the shoulder instead of the belt by neck sizing your cases, the belted case will last as long as any other case.

I have belted cases that I have loaded 15 times.

If you do not reload, then the belted case is a non-issue anyway.

[rem300ultra]

Originally Posted by .280fan

You might not believe this, but.....I'm going to recommend the .280Remington. Awesome cartridge, lots of 7mm/284 bullets for reloading. It will easily take deer at 500 yards and with a well placed shot it will reach out to 750.

I agree with .280fan. You can't go wrong with this caliber of rifle.

[eddybo]

+2 on the .280

[zjfty9]

What about the .280 A.I.