long range Pronghorn, Whitetail & Muley cartridge choice

[muleythumper]

I am seeking a good long range pronghorn, whitetail and muley cartridge for my wife. She is a very small-framed woman, so I would prefer a cartridge that is not going to be too punishing for her to shoot effectively. I have really come to admire the 6.5 mm rounds (6.5x55 Swede or .260 Rem), but I am also considering the .25-06. When I mention 'long range', I am assuming 600 yards as a max range, as opposed to 1000 range match shooting. Help would be appreciated.

 

[SBruce]

I am partial to 25-06, I've had two of them. Shot the barrel out of the first one because I used it all the time. I used it for everything from prarie dogs and coyotes to long range deer and antelope.

With an accurate 115-120 grn bullet, it will surely take down deer out to 600 yds with good shot presentation. They seem easy to load for, and in most pronghorn states; they are a very popular round. Flat shooting with plenty of enengy for antelope and deer. With a 270-300 yd zero we can hold dead center of any antelope out to about 350yds, and still be holding on hair out at 400 yds. Plus it doesn't kick very hard, so we can practice a whole lot without getting tired or sore.

I have no complaints on the 260, but I haven't actually owned one either.? It would probably give you more knockdown power at the further distances, and you could get one on a short action. However, it wouldn't shoot quite as flat at normal hunting distances as the 25-06 will.........The velocity just isn't there according to the numbers I've looked at, and 600 yds really isn't far enough for the higher BC to take over and bypass the faster velocity.

 

[matt_3479]

for a light recoiling deer round i love, absolutely love the 243. win or 243. ackley improved. truly amazing round with increadible power! But if 600 yards is in the picture then i would definately step up near the 6.5 at least. The 260 remington would be a nice round, maybe a 264. win mag. might have a little more recoil but power is also gained. The 25-06 is a beautiful round, but i would also look towards a 6.5x47 laupa or a 257. weatherby.

 

[strombeckj]

+1 on a 25-06 or .260 Rem

Plus I will stir the pot a little. .240 Weatherby, or 6mm Rem. I think the 95-115gr VLD style 6mm bullets are hard to beat for deer sized game.

Sky is the limit if you reload or want to re-chamber. I would think about adding a mini break to help reduce the recoil. My friends 17 yr daughter (small petite little thing) loved my 6-06 with a mini break and took 2 antelope this year with it.

Jon

 

[liltank]

I believe the 6.5x47L is definitely in my high priority list for your particular situation.

Tank

 

[trebark]

Personally, I use a 260 and a buddy of mine shoots 6.5x47Lapua. Any of the 6.5mm cartridges would be great choices.

 

[Tikkamike]

I am partial to 25-06, I've had two of them. Shot the barrel out of the first one because I used it all the time. I used it for everything from prarie dogs and coyotes to long range deer and antelope.

With an accurate 115-120 grn bullet, it will surely take down deer out to 600 yds with good shot presentation. They seem easy to load for, and in most pronghorn states; they are a very popular round. Flat shooting with plenty of enengy for antelope and deer. With a 270-300 yd zero we can hold dead center of any antelope out to about 350yds, and still be holding on hair out at 400 yds. Plus it doesn't kick very hard, so we can practice a whole lot without getting tired or sore.

I have no complaints on the 260, but I haven't actually owned one either.? It would probably give you more knockdown power at the further distances, and you could get one on a short action. However, it wouldn't shoot quite as flat at normal hunting distances as the 25-06 will.........The velocity just isn't there according to the numbers I've looked at, and 600 yds really isn't far enough for the higher BC to take over and bypass the faster velocity.

im also on my second 25-06 and for the same reason... .25-06 is a highly under rated cartridge. but those of us that have them love them. i have killed deer and antelope out to 760 yards with mine and 110 accubonds, its a hammer for medium sized game.

 

[Korhil78]

Absolutely can't say enough good things about the 25-06. I have dropped many whitetail and 3 mule deer with it. It has shot every type of bullet that I have put through it very well. I am trying the 115 gr Berger this year on my mule deer hunt. If it doesn't do as I want it to, then I will go with the 110 gr accubond.

 

[ken snyder]

muleythumper, My wife isnt quite 5 ft tall. For small adults it really isn't so much of a caliber concern as it is a concern of a rifle that properly fits. Her favorite small game rifle is a 300WSM, she even likes to show off once in a while and shoot one of my .416 rifles with absolutely no ill effect. ( I discourage her from doing this because my rifles do not fit her, but whats a guy going to say). The most often over looked aspect of a small persons rifle is its barrel length and balance. They must be in agreement with a small persons frame. With a shorter barrel that will serve her to its best, calibers that customarily require long barrels are perhaps the poorest of choice for her. 600yds. is a very reasonable goal and at that yardage velocity is not all that important with the heavier bullets a larger caliber will provide. at this point the only real concern is adequate eye relief from the scope. Although if she only has 1 rifle and does not actively shoot any caliber could prove to be too much!

 

[texan79]

I would give a real hard look at the 6.5 Creedmore. Very tame recoil and you can seat the long bullets in a fact lenght short action mag with out having to modify it. The 140 Amax factory loads shoot like a laser from the 3 I have seen.

 

[WildRose]

I am seeking a good long range pronghorn, whitetail and muley cartridge for my wife. She is a very small-framed woman, so I would prefer a cartridge that is not going to be too punishing for her to shoot effectively. I have really come to admire the 6.5 mm rounds (6.5x55 Swede or .260 Rem), but I am also considering the .25-06. When I mention 'long range', I am assuming 600 yards as a max range, as opposed to 1000 range match shooting. Help would be appreciated.

For what you are wanting the .260 Rem is Ideal.

 

[muleythumper]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I am not a reloader, so some of the suggestions may not be quite as available at retail stores, as some of the more conventional cartridges mentioned. I think the 25-06, 6.5x55, 260 or the Creedmoor will fit the bill just fine, as I was originally thinking. Now, all I have to do is settle on a good factory (custom is out of my budget) rifle, and we're off to the races.

Any suggestions on a rifle. Remington 700 Sendero in 25-06, Savage Weather Warrior, and Tikka T3s all are coming to my mind.

Any other suggestions I am overlooking?

 

[WildRose]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I am not a reloader, so some of the suggestions may not be quite as available at retail stores, as some of the more conventional cartridges mentioned. I think the 25-06, 6.5x55, 260 or the Creedmoor will fit the bill just fine, as I was originally thinking. Now, all I have to do is settle on a good factory (custom is out of my budget) rifle, and we're off to the races.

Any suggestions on a rifle. Remington 700 Sendero in 25-06, Savage Weather Warrior, and Tikka T3s all are coming to my mind.

Any other suggestions I am overlooking?

The senderos are going to weigh around 9lbs scoped. If your wife can handle that, that's where I'd lean. Heavier is goig to absorb more recoil and the sendero is an inherently accurate factory rifle.

I'd also say lean towards the .260 in it if you can find one. better ammo and bullet selection than the others listed.

 

[strombeckj]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I am not a reloader, so some of the suggestions may not be quite as available at retail stores, as some of the more conventional cartridges mentioned. I think the 25-06, 6.5x55, 260 or the Creedmoor will fit the bill just fine, as I was originally thinking. Now, all I have to do is settle on a good factory (custom is out of my budget) rifle, and we're off to the races.

Any suggestions on a rifle. Remington 700 Sendero in 25-06, Savage Weather Warrior, and Tikka T3s all are coming to my mind.

Any other suggestions I am overlooking?

T3 hunter and add a mini break. (22" barrel + break) 25-06 would be my call.

Jon