best caliber

[jmeier1981]

Ok I know this isnt really a long range question but here goes. Im from Iowa and have a very limited knowledge of rifle capability, since I am normally limited to slug or muzzleloader hunting, but now Iowa has a special late antlerless only season which allows us to use centerfires in the lower two tiers of counties and me and a bunch of buddies have had a blast stacking the does up this season 6 of us shot 35 in 2 and a half days of hunting. We normally use shotguns for there unmatched close range effectiveness and fast target aquisitions on running game in the timber, most of us use autoloaders with holosights, but theres the time that you get the longer range shot at a standing deer and I would like to get an scoped encore pistol to carry while doing drives for this exact situation, and would like to have good performance in the 2-300yd range on deer size animals. So here is the question for this kind of animal at those ranges what caliber would be best suited in the 15" encore pistol... 7mm-08, .338 federal, or .308. Now keep in mind that the only thing that should be taken into consideration is performance, im not worried about recoil, cost or availablity of ammo or anything else, just bullet energy, speed, trajectory and knockdown power, and one more thing, im not the kind of guy that believes that there is a such thing as overkill

 

[Michael Eichele]

Ok I know this isnt really a long range question but here goes. Im from Iowa and have a very limited knowledge of rifle capability, since I am normally limited to slug or muzzleloader hunting, but now Iowa has a special late antlerless only season which allows us to use centerfires in the lower two tiers of counties and me and a bunch of buddies have had a blast stacking the does up this season 6 of us shot 35 in 2 and a half days of hunting. We normally use shotguns for there unmatched close range effectiveness and fast target aquisitions on running game in the timber, most of us use autoloaders with holosights, but theres the time that you get the longer range shot at a standing deer and I would like to get an scoped encore pistol to carry while doing drives for this exact situation, and would like to have good performance in the 2-300yd range on deer size animals. So here is the question for this kind of animal at those ranges what caliber would be best suited in the 15" encore pistol... 7mm-08, .338 federal, or .308. Now keep in mind that the only thing that should be taken into consideration is performance, im not worried about recoil, cost or availablity of ammo or anything else, just bullet energy, speed, trajectory and knockdown power, and one more thing, im not the kind of guy that believes that there is a such thing as overkill

Of the 3 calibers you mentioned at the ranges you stated, really you should just pick the one that would make you the happiest. They will all honestly do the job rather well. The "best" is a VERY subjective term. For whitetails, these 3 will knock them all dead and quick.

If you are the type that believes that the 45 ACP is the ONLY pistol worth anything, you would go with the 338. If you believe that anything metric is obsolete, then the 308 is a great choice for you. If you think there is more pixi dust on that 7mm, then.......You guessed it, get the 708. What do these things have to do with killing deer effectively? Absolutly nothing. Just pick one.

 

[jmeier1981]

Yeah I figured they would all do the job, but wasnt sure if there would be one that would stand out in the crowd in a short 15" barrel as far as accuracy and trajectory. And just for the record, I do own a .45 but usually shoot my .40 cause it just shoots better I just added that because theres almost always someone that would want to say that the only way to go is this "...." beacause "...." is just too much gun for what your wanting to do. Or if one of these would perform better at longer ranges than 300yds, if thats even applicable with a pistol, cause im not sure. I dont necessarily want the biggest, just the best combo of accuracy and trajectory. The more KE is always a plus but only if you can put the bullet where it needs to be. So I guess I really dont know what I am asking for just some reccomedations, since I know very little about rifle performance

 

[Michael Eichele]

Confidence is a big factor in this sport. When you are faced with choices such as these, choose whatever gives YOU the most confidence or at least the one that your "gut" tells you. They really all do shine (albiet for varying reasons) for the purpose and ranges you mentioned.

 

[jmeier1981]

Alrite I respect that but how bout this, if it were you and you were going to buy a pistol for this range of distance what would you buy, what would you feel like would be the straightest shooting hardest hitting round. Accuracy is my most important factor as im not sure what to expect out of a 15" pistol but id like to be able to get a 200yd zero and be able to shoot at 300 by just holding a few inches high and still be confident that it will put a stompin on its target, thanks again for your time and help

 

[skeetlee]

sounds like you need a 300wsm. Lee

 

[screech]

I know this wasnt in your list of calibers but try the 243 out of an encore. We have one in a 15inch pistol barrel and we shoot 70gr.bts out of it and out to 340 all white tails shot with it died very rapidly. 20yrds on the norm for travell. Some less.

If you think its not big enough and would feel more comfortable with a larger caliber go for it but I have a 300rum and a 243 along with lots of other calibers but when it comes to deer hunting that 243 comes out alot.

Up to 500yrds out of a rifle im very confident in the cartridge but when elk season comes aroudnd the 300rum comes out.

Just my expierence though.

 

[Michael Eichele]

Alrite I respect that but how bout this, if it were you and you were going to buy a pistol for this range of distance what would you buy, what would you feel like would be the straightest shooting hardest hitting round. Accuracy is my most important factor as im not sure what to expect out of a 15" pistol but id like to be able to get a 200yd zero and be able to shoot at 300 by just holding a few inches high and still be confident that it will put a stompin on its target, thanks again for your time and help

338 will hit the hardest, 308 would have better accuracy potential. Both would be accurate enough and hard hitting enough for deer to 300 yards.

Which one is the sexiest to you? Go with that one!

 

[davewilson]

you should post this in the "specialty handguns" section. there are several on there that know quite a bit about shooting a pistol with a 15" barrel. deer can be killed a whole bunch farther than 300 with a pistol.