Need a dedicated deer blind rifle - Update

[Darkhorse]

There is no doubt what I would choose.....6.5 Creedmore all the way. My son killed his first and several more with a .243. My wife did likewise, I think she totaled 12 with the .243 before I bought her another rifle. I also shot a number of deer with the same .243 and I couldn't wait to replace it as a hunting weapon.
So I have seen a number of deer in different circumstances shot with the .243 and guess who had to track all those deer? Right. It was me.
Generally the tracking jobs were longer than normal, sometimes with a lot less blood. And the .243 also has a fairly sharp kick that nobody talks about.
If it was me I'd go with a 7mm 08.

 

[diverdown]

There is no doubt what I would choose.....6.5 Creedmore all the way. My son killed his first and several more with a .243. My wife did likewise, I think she totaled 12 with the .243 before I bought her another rifle. I also shot a number of deer with the same .243 and I couldn't wait to replace it as a hunting weapon.
So I have seen a number of deer in different circumstances shot with the .243 and guess who had to track all those deer? Right. It was me.
Generally the tracking jobs were longer than normal, sometimes with a lot less blood. And the .243 also has a fairly sharp kick that nobody talks about.
If it was me I'd go with a 7mm 08.

I've shot one heck of a lot of Deer with the 7-08. The recoil is pleasant and it hits with a lot of authority. When Elk hunting in Colorado I've seen other hunters carrying a .243 and when I ask them if that's a good idea for Elk the answer I usually get is "I go for neck shots only" I just shake my head and wish them a good hunt.

 

[cloverleaf]

Load down either one. But there is wisdom in the 120 gr BT in a 7MM 08. BUT if we venture off the original question, then a 250 Savage is the answer!!! (aw, c-mom, I havent done that in a while ) CL

 

[ReloadKy]

So I had a Ruger American 243 (different rifle than I originally posted on) that buddy wanted for his son. I sold him the scoped rifle and 3 boxes of ammo for $400. I had my daughter's savage axis 6.5 CM that I did originally post about and took that rifle and traded it in to buy a Ruger American gen 2 in 6.5 creedmoor for my daughter. Since I can adjust the LOP I was able to set it up for her and I have a suppressor so I can make it quiet as well as mitigate recoil. After parting ways with the two rifles and buying the new gen 2 I am out $0!! I got the rifle this morning and just got finished getting it on paper. With 125gr deer season xp's the recoil was nothing. When I told my daughter it kicked less than the 243 she was excited. Also had two shots touching at 100 yds. With the shorter barrel I was curious about velocity loss. The factory loads chrono at 2730 which will still pack plenty of punch to kill deer here around the house.

My daughter loves the look of the rifle but can not shoot it yet due to a cast on her right arm from a scooter wreck. Come mid July we will start practicing.

I feel good about the decision and hope the rifle is able to put a deer in the freezer this fall.

 

[DrMike]

So I had a Ruger American 243 (different rifle than I originally posted on) that buddy wanted for his son. I sold him the scoped rifle and 3 boxes of ammo for $400. I had my daughter's savage axis 6.5 CM that I did originally post about and took that rifle and traded it in to buy a Ruger American gen 2 in 6.5 creedmoor for my daughter. Since I can adjust the LOP I was able to set it up for her and I have a suppressor so I can make it quiet as well as mitigate recoil. After parting ways with the two rifles and buying the new gen 2 I am out $0!! I got the rifle this morning and just got finished getting it on paper. With 125gr deer season xp's the recoil was nothing. When I told my daughter it kicked less than the 243 she was excited. Also had two shots touching at 100 yds. With the shorter barrel I was curious about velocity loss. The factory loads chrono at 2730 which will still pack plenty of punch to kill deer here around the house.

My daughter loves the look of the rifle but can not shoot it yet due to a cast on her right arm from a scooter wreck. Come mid July we will start practicing.

I feel good about the decision and hope the rifle is able to put a deer in the freezer this fall.

We're all pulling for your daughter to invite that deer to join the family for dinner!

 

[NYDAN]

Sounds like a good outcome. Patience paid off.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Glad it all worked out. Hope she heals soon and ready to start enjoying her new deer slayer.

 

[bdbrown66]

So I had a Ruger American 243 (different rifle than I originally posted on) that buddy wanted for his son. I sold him the scoped rifle and 3 boxes of ammo for $400. I had my daughter's savage axis 6.5 CM that I did originally post about and took that rifle and traded it in to buy a Ruger American gen 2 in 6.5 creedmoor for my daughter. Since I can adjust the LOP I was able to set it up for her and I have a suppressor so I can make it quiet as well as mitigate recoil. After parting ways with the two rifles and buying the new gen 2 I am out $0!! I got the rifle this morning and just got finished getting it on paper. With 125gr deer season xp's the recoil was nothing. When I told my daughter it kicked less than the 243 she was excited. Also had two shots touching at 100 yds. With the shorter barrel I was curious about velocity loss. The factory loads chrono at 2730 which will still pack plenty of punch to kill deer here around the house.

My daughter loves the look of the rifle but can not shoot it yet due to a cast on her right arm from a scooter wreck. Come mid July we will start practicing.

I feel good about the decision and hope the rifle is able to put a deer in the freezer this fall.

Sounds like a good plan, Brad!! We gotta shoot sometime, my friend.

 

[ReloadKy]

Sounds like a good plan, Brad!! We gotta shoot sometime, my friend.

I hear ya! Yesterday was the first shooting I have done in months. My job and the kids sports schedules are keeping me super busy. Heck I need to cook up reloads so I have some stuff to test out.

 

[JD338]

You found the perfect solution, congratulations.
Best of luck to your daughter this fall.

JD338

 

[Slimfinn]

Sounds like a great setup

 

[Guy Miner]

I like those Gen2 Ruger American rifles. Your daughter ended up with a good rifle that should do very well for her.

Guy

 

[RL338]

My daughter started out with a Ruger American in 22-250. With 64gr BSB it hammered whitetails.
The new Ruger will serve your daughter well.

 

[ReloadKy]

Worked up the first reloads for the new rifle. 39gr of IMR 4895 and a 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip produced the 4 shot group in the picture. Velocity was 2810. The recoil was darn near non-existent with the suppressor on the rifle. This is one of the best groups that I have ever shot. I am super excited about the results I have gotten with the first batch of reloads. I accomplished 2800+ fps, great accuracy and minimal recoil. This should work great for my daughter and for the rest of the family for that matter around the house.

However, I accomplished this with the first try!! What fun is that!?!

 

[RL338]

Nice job on a successful load

 

[DrMike]

With accuracy like that, there is no excuse not to fill the larder come fall. Great work at the reloading bench and on the firing line.

 

[bdbrown66]

Outstanding, Brad!!!

 

[Lou270]

Go with 243. What I started my kids with. Used Hornady reduced recoil ammo and worked great on deer. I think it was and 85ish gr sst around 2800 fps. Any case worked fine and eventually stepped up to full lower 100gr loads and other cartridges. The more powerful loads worked better on pigs, but for deer the light 243 loads were very effective (all under 100)

Lou

 

[wvbuckbuster]

View attachment 26499
Worked up the first reloads for the new rifle. 39gr of IMR 4895 and a 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip produced the 4 shot group in the picture. Velocity was 2810. The recoil was darn near non-existent with the suppressor on the rifle. This is one of the best groups that I have ever shot. I am super excited about the results I have gotten with the first batch of reloads. I accomplished 2800+ fps, great accuracy and minimal recoil. This should work great for my daughter and for the rest of the family for that matter around the house.

However, I accomplished this with the first try!! What fun is that!?!

Good job on your reloading and shooting. Now the fun begins as you have a load, so load a bunch and let her and whoever start practicing.