Caliber and best factory rifle for Whitetail deer - NC

[NCgagehunt]

I'm looking at the Seekins PH2 or one of the Bergara's for a deer hunting rifle. I'm open to other manufacturers as well, these two just seem to be highly reviewed. I'm leaning towards a 6.5 PRC, but a 7mm magnum might be more practical for ammo availability. I have a 7mm magnum and it's a great caliber for hunting, just though a short action might be good to have for a change. I'm a hold over shooter, I don't need to do MOA adjustments for 1000 yards for anything. Normally I shoot from 100-500 yards. I'd say 250-300 yards would be more normal. I appreciate any suggestions on caliber or manufacturer. Rifle weight doesn't matter much because I just carry the gun to a box stand, maybe walk 500-600 yards. I also do not want a muzzle break, bad on the ears when hunting. So recoil might come in to play for caliber selection, or maybe a heavier rifle. Thanks for any help.

 

[Quintus]

Welcome to the site from MN. For NC deer to 500 yards the world is your oyster. The 6.5 PRC is a dandy and the 260 or 6.5 creed would also fill the bill with less recoil and more readily found brass. I used the 25-06 out in VA and NC and found it to be perfect for them 'cross the holler' shots. Killed a truckload with the Sierra 90 Grain HPBT Gameking. The 240 Wby. would be a real gem out there too.

 

[NCgagehunt]

Welcome to the site from MN. For NC deer to 500 yards the world is your oyster. The 6.5 PRC is a dandy and the 260 or 6.5 creed would also fill the bill with less recoil and more readily found brass. I used the 25-06 out in VA and NC and found it to be perfect for them 'cross the holler' shots. Killed a truckload with the Sierra 90 Grain HPBT Gameking. The 240 Wby. would be a real gem out there too.

Thanks, yes the 6.5 CM would be a good option. I don't know a lot about the 25-06, but need to look at it. Any ideas on a good semi-custom factory rifle? That Bergara HMR Pro or the Seekins PH2 are looking mighty good to me. Thanks for the help so far.

 

[340Wby-4-everything]

If the recoil from a 7mm rem mag doesn't bother you, no other whitetail appropriate round will either. For those ranges,, couldn't go wrong with the 6.5prc or a .308/30.06 and you can get both of them in inexpensive, but very accurate rifles. Eg. Weatherby vanguards and Tikkas

 

[JMW67]

I would look hard at the 7mm-08 or 260 I just cant make myself say creedmoor even though it would be good also

 

[NCgagehunt]

If the recoil from a 7mm rem mag doesn't bother you, no other whitetail appropriate round will either. For those ranges,, couldn't go wrong with the 6.5prc or a .308/30.06 and you can get both of them in inexpensive, but very accurate rifles. Eg. Weatherby vanguards and Tikkas

6.5 PRC would be slightly less recoil than the 7mm magnum right? The 7mm recoil doesn't bother me a whole lot but it wouldn't hurt my feelings to have a little less . A heavier rifle might help too since I don't have to carry it far. I'm starting to not worry about rifle weight as much since I don't have to carry it far, and I honestly don't think that will ever change.

 

[NCgagehunt]

I would look hard at the 7mm-08 or 260 I just make myself say creedmoor even though it would be good also

I understand, everyone here is going crazy about the 6.5 CM's, and maybe rightfully so. You have any ideas on a high end factory rifle? I like the Seekins and Bergara's, I'm pretty open though.

 

[JMW67]

SEEKINS if you dont want to spent that much a tikka would be a nice choice or a Howa or Vangaurd are also nice selections with a little bedding and a trigger change they seem to shoot great

 

[NCgagehunt]

SEEKINS if you dont want to spent that much a tikka would be a nice choice or a Howa or Vangaurd are also nice selections with a little bedding and a trigger change they seem to shoot great

Yeah the Seekins seems to be a very well made rifle, plus I love the triggers they use. I don't know much about the barrels they use but I'm sure it's top notch. Lots of people say stay away from fluted barrels like what they do with the PH2 but I cannot find where fluting has caused problems in the guns they are building. I probably shouldn't worry about that.

 

[wv270wsm]

You do you on the rifle manufacturer but I'd go with a 7 mm08 for that style of hunting . If I'd bought a 7 mm08 a long time ago I wouldn't have have the chamberings that I do now !

 

[NCgagehunt]

You do you on the rifle manufacturer but I'd go with a 7 mm08 for that style of hunting . If I'd bought a 7 mm08 a long time ago I wouldn't have have the chamberings that I do now !

That's a very good caliber, it's great advice. Just need to pick the right manufacturer. I will look more at the 7mm08, I know some folks who love it.

 

[wv270wsm]

That's a very good caliber, it's great advice. Just need to pick the right manufacturer. I will look more at the 7mm08, I know some folks who love it.

Light recoil , great bullet selection, kills way better than it should , and fairly easy to find factory ammo for . What's not to love

 

[NCgagehunt]

Light recoil , great bullet selection, kills way better than it should , and fairly easy to find factory ammo for . What's not to love

Yes, and I'm not a reloader so factory ammo availability is important. Just seems like most high end manufacturers don't offer that caliber as much, which is surprising.

 

[171farm]

Creedmoor if deer size animals are all you are going to shoot (in or out of state). If you want something that can take darn near anything in North America without issue go with a 300 win mag. No such thing as too much gun for deer and you would be ready for anything else you might hunt down the road. Yes I know plent of people take elk with a creedmoor but there definitely are better options out there.