Caliber and best factory rifle for Whitetail deer - NC

Give a look at the Browning MAX long range...very nice gun.

NCgagehunt said:

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.

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IMHO... a 257 Weatherby, very flat shooter, very capable and very deadly! Roy's favorite caliber, mine as well! Taken everything from fox, yotes, hogs, whitetail, antelope and 2 elk!

Thomas Culver said:

I have a Proof Elevation MTR in 6.5PRC and it shoots lights out and has become by go to deer rifle. I took the muley in my avatar with it and 143ELDX at 150 yards. I've also taken several other deer with it and will be using it this year in Mexico for whitetails. My son shoots a 6.5 Creed built by Alamo Precision Rifles in the Dallas area and it shoots incredibly well also. My son hasn't taken anything with it yet, but I've shot a couple of deer and an impala in South Africa with it running the 143ELDX as well. Hard to complain about the performance of either, when ringing steel consistently at 1000 on factory ammo. They almost make me not want to reload anymore, but then my reloads are even tighter. Both guns shoot 1" groups at 300.

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It's hard to beat APR rifles..I've had them build me 2 rifles..A Ranger in 6.5 PRC and a Altitude in 6 CM...Both will flat out shot with my other custom builds that was double the cost. Depending on what Seeking your looking @ the ARP Maverick wouldn't be that much more.

NCgagehunt said:

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.

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I would do a Ruger American Hunter in 6.5CM or 308. The stock is amazing. Put more money in the glass than the rifle. A great scope can make the difference of shoot/no-shoot and almost any new rifle will work for a deer at those ranges. Also put in for a suppressor if its legal to hunt with one in NC. Its a game changer. +

NCgagehunt said:

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.

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300 wsm

I am thinking of going the other way. You have 7mmRM so you are good with longer range. Look for something shorter range ( please don't kick me off when website). I like my 35 Whelen and 338-06

When I see one of these posts where people are suggesting everything from .22-250 to .338 RUM for shooting whitetail deer to 400 yards, I have to chuckle. We certainly have a wealth of options available to us in the USA!

So I'll add one that no one has mentioned. Availability of loaded ammo is pretty good, accuracy is good, and you can have a classic rifle/caliber that is all your own. That would be the 7X57 Mauser. It is the parent cartridge for the .257 Roberts, so you can impress your friends by calling it a 7-.257, or you can call it by the British designation of .275 Rigby! It's a comfortable cartridge to shoot, and 7 mm bullets kill very effectively.

Just my $.02.

You said weight dont realy matter so will suggest à 7mm08, 260rem, or 308win in tikka varmint stainless.

Got a 7mm rem mag in that model and it à shooter, the heavy barrel help alot.

If you go realod some day the 3 calber are even better. Put them in the order I like em most

Hi.I would agree that 7-08 is great caliber! short action..308 case to reload. .243 also if you are shooting 90-105 gr. bullet, my thoughts for best though is a .280 rem.w/ackly imp. or standard ammo loading.140 accubond or bullistic tip for longer range shooting. Dskiper

If you have a 7 mm RM, It will do all you need. Maybe look at a suppressor if legal in your area...Otherwise, I love my Quarter bore...Getting ready to build a new 25-06 AI to shoot the new heavies that are out. Bought my first one in 1991. have killed everything up to elk with it. Really excited to move to a 1:8 twist for the longer bullets...

Deer are thin skinned animals so it does not take a lot to put them down. Think about how many deer have been put on the skillet due to a 30-30. Save reloading cost to if you go with the 7mm 08 or some thing similar. No need for magnums with eastern whitetails.

When the question of what factory rifle comes up, Tikka is almost always the answer. They chamber in 6.5 PRC now which would fit your needs perfectly. Another fine deer cartridge is the 6mm creed with 103gr to 115gr bullets

twister said:

I do love the 7Rem mag but for just a deer rifle from a box blind the 25-06 is probably a better choice. If you have other future uses the 7mag is very handy and I find it no problem to shoot.

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xsn10s said:

Yeah 25-06 is an option. I've always been intrigued with the 257 Roberts or 257 Roberts AI.

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Wolf76 said:

Take a hard look at the 25 cals. The 257 bee or 25'06 is the right answer for deer.
The recoil is completely easy on the shoulder. Kills stuff surprisingly quick.

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Notice a trend here? You have the 7rem mag. The 25.06 is near perfect for your conditions. You may think it shoots a light bullet, but it has dropped more deer in their tracks than any other rifle I own.

I have been looking through the mail and I have not seen anyone talk about the Sako S20. I have 2 of them and can say with delight that both are extremely good shooters. I have the 6.5 creedmore in the precision model and a 6.5 PRC in the hunters model. Just had both out to the range and both produced 3/4 and 1/2 inch groups at 200 yards. Price is less than the Sekins and weight in your case is in the ballpark. Also the trigger on both are adjustable for pull length and poundage. I have mine set at 2.5 lbs and both have absolutely no creep. One of the best production triggers i have ever used and i have been shooting for 50 years. Weight for the hunter model is 8.75 with scope and loaded. Recoil in the 6.5 PRC is like shooting a 25-06. Do yourself a favor and check out the S20. I think you will like it alot. Oh cleaning is so easy and i use less than 7 patches after shooting, that is after breakin and i found both were done at 20 rounds, even though Sako says there is no break in required.