Looking for a versatile cartridge

[David Emerson]

Thanks for the input.
Both my shoulders got dislocated during rugby games. Hence the need of soft recoil. 30-06 would hit too hard, that's why I didn't consider it in the first place.

I understand. The 308 is under the 06. The reason I thought the 06 is you can buy heavy bullets for up close and pigs. A big pig is hard to shoot through.

 

[ReLes]

Yes, the "going through a big pig at close range" criteria is what made me rule out the .243 at first. High velocity small projectiles have almost failed me big time in the past, I don't want to go through that again.

 

[DJ Fergus]

Hello there.
To sum it up, I'm willing to replace my 22-250.
75% of the use or the rifle will be shooting at deer, at distances comprised between 80 and 150 yds. The rest will be shooting deer at 250-300yds, and hogs in the Woods at less than 50yds.
With the 22-250 is nice for the first 75% because at those distances i Can confidently go for a neck/headshot. But I'm not good enough a short to do that at longer distances, and a lung/heart shot won't do it with that cartridge. Also, close range shots at hogs are no good : bullet fragmentation leadind to no exit hole (and hard tracking of the animal) and lots of meat damage.
So what I'm looking for is a cartridge with good enough ballistics to shoot at up to 300 yards without too much thinking, and whose bullets won't fragment and will expand properly on a 30yards shot.

Criterias are :
- versatility
- light recoil
- moderate velocity (i think ?)
- ammo availability ( i don't reload cuz no Time)
- barrel lifespan.

The most serious contenders are probably 7mm08, .308, .270.., but I might be missing something.

Thanks in avance for tour advice.

Best regards

7mm-08, For shots inside of 300 yards, they kill surprisingly well. I've heard many people who owned both the 270 Winchester and a 7mm-08 make the statement that the 7mm-08 kills just as well as the 270, only with less perceived recoil.

 

[David Emerson]

To me a 243 is a good coyote rabbit gun. Yes you can hunt 200 pound game or in your case 90kg. But little bullets and cartilage shields and big bones are a poor mix. With your ammo availability and your recoil restraint a 308 with a good 180 should work good. A remington 180 corelokt can easily shoot 300 meters and still bore deep up close.

 

[Laguna Freak]

.308. 150 to 168 grain bonded bullet. Shoot the big pigs in the neck. Either broadside or quartering to. Quartering to goes right into the main pumps. Either way the shockwave will cause major brain hemorrhage. Otherwise wait for quartering away. You need to avoid their shields. Everything else is well within the .308's wheel house.

 

[wildwilderness]

I wouldn't have a problem with .243 but you have to be a good shot. Easy to kill pigs if you shoot them behind the ear, deer are not tough.

If you want more power The 270 is the classic do everything cartridge. I think the 7-08 is very similar on a short action. It will come down to what rifle you can buy. Out of curiosity what grain Bullets are available in 270 and 7-08?

 

[Tripodmvr7]

With meat damage and ammo availability as main criteria the 308 with 150gr bullets will be my choice. The lighter bullet meets your recoil factor.

 

[ZAK13]

Personally I'd choose either the .270 Win, or a 30-06. Both are capable at distance, plenty of options in ammunition.

 

[Coldfinger]

Hello there.
To sum it up, I'm willing to replace my 22-250.
75% of the use or the rifle will be shooting at deer, at distances comprised between 80 and 150 yds. The rest will be shooting deer at 250-300yds, and hogs in the Woods at less than 50yds.
The 22-250 is nice for the first 75% because at those distances i Can confidently go for a neck/headshot. But I'm not good enough a shot to do that at longer distances, and a lung/heart shot won't do it with that cartridge. Also, close range shots at hogs are no good : bullet fragmentation leadind to no exit hole (and hard tracking of the animal) and lots of meat damage.
So what I'm looking for is a cartridge with good enough ballistics to shoot at up to 300 yards without too much thinking, and whose bullets won't fragment and will expand properly on a 30yards shot.

Criterias are :
- versatility
- light recoil
- moderate velocity (i think ?)
- ammo availability ( i don't reload cuz no Time)
- barrel lifespan.

The most serious contenders are probably 7mm08, .308, .270.., but I might be missing something.

Thanks in avance for tour advice.

Best regards

Hello there.
To sum it up, I'm willing to replace my 22-250.
75% of the use or the rifle will be shooting at deer, at distances comprised between 80 and 150 yds. The rest will be shooting deer at 250-300yds, and hogs in the Woods at less than 50yds.
The 22-250 is nice for the first 75% because at those distances i Can confidently go for a neck/headshot. But I'm not good enough a shot to do that at longer distances, and a lung/heart shot won't do it with that cartridge. Also, close range shots at hogs are no good : bullet fragmentation leadind to no exit hole (and hard tracking of the animal) and lots of meat damage.
So what I'm looking for is a cartridge with good enough ballistics to shoot at up to 300 yards without too much thinking, and whose bullets won't fragment and will expand properly on a 30yards shot.

Criterias are :
- versatility
- light recoil
- moderate velocity (i think ?)
- ammo availability ( i don't reload cuz no Time)
- barrel lifespan.

The most serious contenders are probably 7mm08, .308, .270.., but I might be missing something.

Thanks in avance for tour advice.

Best regards

Run a 243 or 308 if the 22-250 isn't working for you. I shoot deer yearly with a 22-250 but it's not for everyone. A good scope investment and trigger will make those 300 yard shots on head neck simple providing you have a rest! I just got a coon last night at 275 with mine, put the crosshairs between the eartips and bullet hit him aparently in the chin and exited shoulder blades. Yes exited I love Speer bullets for holding together.

 

[FEENIX]

He is in the SW Pacific ocean ,750 miles east of Australia. What ever ammo is availiable constantly wil dictate your choice.In my humble opinion any of the 3 choices you have wil work for your intended use.I like all 3 of your choices, good luck and happy hunting.

^^^This!^^^

 

[Ol' Red]

I know nothing about ammo availability in the SW Pacific, but I would think .308 would be available almost any place, so that would be my suggestion. I was not aware you had whitetail down in that neck of the woods.

 

[Muddyboots]

Recoil management with good kill capability is .270 all the way from my perspective. Easier on shoulder than .308 and still can kill with authority. Ammo prob available at gas stations. I rarely see a .270 that wasn't accurate even with factory ammo.

 

[zach_destroys]

I've been using a 200 yard zero with my 7mm08 and 140gr accubonds. Hold over 6" at 300. Easy as pie and fast.
I use other rifles for anything beyond that.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Yes, the "going through a big pig at close range" criteria is what made me rule out the .243 at first. High velocity small projectiles have almost failed me big time in the past, I don't want to go through that again.

I have first hand watched a 243 roll a 275-300 pound boar and him get up and run off like nothing happened. We ended up hearing the coyotes get on his trail and tangle with him but I personally don't care to be tracking wounded pigs. Dome shots or no shots...