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Deer hunting with a 204
#2447085
07/22/11 05:26 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,711
STXHO
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,711 |
What do yall think? My girlfriend recently got scoped by a 30-30 (thats what I gave her to deer hunt with last season) and after receiving 7 stitches she is scared to shoot the gun again. I let her shoot a 243 but she does not like that gun either. So I am debating on buying her a 204 or a 22-250. I have killed over 20 deer with a 22-250 but have no experience with a 204. Hopefully someone does and could help me out. Thanks!
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: STXHO]
#2447097
07/22/11 05:34 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,782
txtrophy85
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204 is way too light.
i have killed quite a few deer with the .22-250, that and the .220 swife is what I would use .22 centerfire wise.
personally, I would get her a 7mm-08 and put a muzzlebreak on it if recoil is an issue.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: txtrophy85]
#2447122
07/22/11 05:44 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,401
smackindoes
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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if you're thinking something of that size get her a 223 and shoot the good ole 55 grain core-lokt.. my daughter has taken a few deer with hers.. however shot placement counts.. besides other 223 options the ammo is less expensive..
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: smackindoes]
#2447129
07/22/11 05:50 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 934
hornedfrog
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 934 |
2nd the .223, unless she would be willing to give a .25-06 a try.
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: smackindoes]
#2447140
07/22/11 05:56 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 422
calcreek
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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Any chance you could teach her some better shooting techniques?
Just saying because one time my wife shot my AR-10 and it came back in popped her in the face. It was my fault because I really didnt teach her anything prior to this experience.
"Just look through the scope sweety, when you get ready to shoot just take it off safety and squeeze the trigger.......BOOM!!! CRACK!!! OMG YOU IDIOT I HATE YOU ::throws gun down::
But anyways I talked her into trying it again, with a 30-30 as a matter of fact and she now has it down.
And a scar above her eye.
(I almost divorced her when she threw the gun)
Last edited by calcreek; 07/22/11 05:56 PM.
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: STXHO]
#2447158
07/22/11 06:06 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,262
RICK O'SHAY
THF Trophy Hunter
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I've killed a few with 204, I would think it and 22 250 would be about the same... head shots, maybe neck shots.
I would have paid more attention to her in the first place and helped her not get scope bit.
DISCLAIMER ATTENTION: Your decision should NEVER be based SOLELY upon my advice, recomendation, or opinion.
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: RICK O'SHAY]
#2447167
07/22/11 06:11 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
redchevy
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I agree with statement above, teach her to shoot, because a 3030 shouldnt scope check a grown person man or women. If she is too scard to handle a 243 then maybe it is time to let her sit out for a bit and come back if she wants to.
I think the 204 would be a horible choice, 223 or 22-250 would be much better.
Shoot some 60 grain partitions through the 223 or some partitions or tsx through the 22-250 and you have a legitimate 100 yard deer gun with next to zero recoil and they are quiet.
Sounds like you started her out with to much gun and no form, start with the basics, get a 22 teach to shoot then go to the 243 and it should be ok.
matt
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: redchevy]
#2447369
07/22/11 08:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 22,268
7mag
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204 and 223 are too small for deer imo. 243/7mm/08 would be the choice
"Laugh with many, but don't trust any"
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: redchevy]
#2447390
07/22/11 08:18 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,782
txtrophy85
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I agree with statement above, teach her to shoot, because a 3030 shouldnt scope check a grown person man or women. If she is too scard to handle a 243 then maybe it is time to let her sit out for a bit and come back if she wants to.
matt i agree
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: redchevy]
#2447446
07/22/11 08:42 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,711
STXHO
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
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I agree with statement above, teach her to shoot, because a 3030 shouldnt scope check a grown person man or women. If she is too scard to handle a 243 then maybe it is time to let her sit out for a bit and come back if she wants to.
I think the 204 would be a horible choice, 223 or 22-250 would be much better.
Shoot some 60 grain partitions through the 223 or some partitions or tsx through the 22-250 and you have a legitimate 100 yard deer gun with next to zero recoil and they are quiet.
Sounds like you started her out with to much gun and no form, start with the basics, get a 22 teach to shoot then go to the 243 and it should be ok.
matt She knows how to shoot, her dad is a Ret. Master Chief Gunners Mate in the Navy and we shoot almost every weekend, she just got careless that one time and got popped in the face. I probably will go with the 22-250. I do not feel like chasing a wounded deer all over my property. I killed my first deer with a 243 when I was 7, I was also scared of the recoil but I became comfortable with the gun. Thanks for the input guys!
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: STXHO]
#2447455
07/22/11 08:49 PM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41,320
BMD
Silver Spoon
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Silver Spoon
Joined: Jun 2007
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22/250 is not a deer rifle. Get her 7/08 and put in good stock with decent recoil pad and she will have zero issues.
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: STXHO]
#2447464
07/22/11 08:51 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 495
ctonsmitty
Bird Dog
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If you already own a .243 get a Limb Saver recoil pad (google it)....it will kick less a lot less and will leave a little room for error in case of a bad shot
Happy Hunting
PS: A 22-250 is a varmint gun, for deer I firmly believe a 243 is the minimum. We had someone shooting a 22-250 at our place and he said he "missed" when we asked how he did. After two years of this, I told him to shoot a larger gun. He bellied up to a 270 and hasn't "missed" yet. He probably wounded/unrecovered killed 3-4 deer with that 22-250
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: BMD]
#2447466
07/22/11 08:52 PM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41,320
BMD
Silver Spoon
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Silver Spoon
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41,320 |
Also get a decent scope with serious eye relief so she doesn't have to crawl up on the scope, maybe a straight 6x or something comparable to Zeiss conquest 3x9x40 that is reasonably inexpensive, also a brake as mentioned by Txtrophy is another option.
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: ctonsmitty]
#2447482
07/22/11 08:58 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,782
txtrophy85
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PS: A 22-250 is a varmint gun, for deer I firmly believe a 243 is the minimum.
I've killed close to 20 deer with a .22-250, and i agree, its not a deer gun. for me, its a cull tool, but not a deer gun. I don't think highly of the .243 either, for me, a deer rifle starts at a 25-06.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: ctonsmitty]
#2447485
07/22/11 09:00 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,711
STXHO
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THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
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If you already own a .243 get a Limb Saver recoil pad (google it)....it will kick less a lot less and will leave a little room for error in case of a bad shot
Happy Hunting
PS: A 22-250 is a varmint gun, for deer I firmly believe a 243 is the minimum. We had someone shooting a 22-250 at our place and he said he "missed" when we asked how he did. After two years of this, I told him to shoot a larger gun. He bellied up to a 270 and hasn't "missed" yet. He probably wounded/unrecovered killed 3-4 deer with that 22-250 I dont want to start a war on here.. but I have killed many deer with a 22-250, and only have had to track a couple. Never lost one.
Last edited by CPO; 07/22/11 09:05 PM.
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: txtrophy85]
#2447497
07/22/11 09:04 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 495
ctonsmitty
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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I agree.....I took the .243 from my wife (even though over the years she was 6/6 with it) and gave her a .270 with limb saver. She dropped that 13 point stoned cold too!!! Sure would hate for her to shoot at a trophy buck and not recover it.
We shoot, we kill...PERIOD!
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: STXHO]
#2447499
07/22/11 09:04 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
redchevy
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Its more like a battle... the war has been going for years.
Just because her pappy was a materchif whatever dont mean she can shoot.
I consider a 223 or 22-250 a deer rifle in the hands of those who can use it like one. Give her some time and I think the 243 is your best bet.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: STXHO]
#2447516
07/22/11 09:11 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 268
urbnat
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2010
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I have killed many deer with a .223 and I know of several deer being killed with a .204. The thing to remember is head or neck. If she is a good shot, .204 or 22-250 should be fine at close range. If you are going to set her in an area with shots over a hundred yards, my opinion is to scratch both of these and go with a bigger caliber such as the 7mm-08. Longer range shots are better with a bigger target. Like mentioned above in several comments, if the kick is to much, modify the gun to reduce the recoil felt with things like kickpads or whatever. Fit the gun to her liking, but I would stay above a .243 for most deer shots.
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: redchevy]
#2447625
07/22/11 10:05 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,711
STXHO
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
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Its more like a battle... the war has been going for years.
Just because her pappy was a materchif whatever dont mean she can shoot.
I consider a 223 or 22-250 a deer rifle in the hands of those who can use it like one. Give her some time and I think the 243 is your best bet. Well when you learn from the best you tend to be a little better than the rest Thanks for the input, I agree with the idea of a 243.
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: txtrophy85]
#2447837
07/23/11 12:30 AM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,225
Rustler
THF Trophy Hunter
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204 is way too light.
personally, I would get her a 7mm-08 and put a muzzle break on it if recoil is an issue. X2,
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: Rustler]
#2447867
07/23/11 12:48 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 754
obamawhy!!!
Tracker
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Tracker
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Posts: 754 |
The .243 has recoil? Wow my 6 yr old shoots one with no problems. To each their own. It does have a limbsaver on it though.
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: obamawhy!!!]
#2447937
07/23/11 01:27 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,823
Drop Tine
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,823 |
223 with the right bullet. 243 with a core-lokt type bullet.
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: txtrophy85]
#2447990
07/23/11 01:55 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,571
deewayne2003
Extreme Tracker
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PS: A 22-250 is a varmint gun, for deer I firmly believe a 243 is the minimum.
I've killed close to 20 deer with a .22-250, and i agree, its not a deer gun. for me, its a cull tool, but not a deer gun. I don't think highly of the .243 either, for me, a deer rifle starts at a 25-06. x2 If she got popped by the scope its probably a lapse in shooting form and a scope that maybe mounted to far back. If she developed a flinch take her back down to a bolt action 22 with scope until she drops the flinch. .204 is WAY WAY to light and really so is a 22-250, you need to be geared for the biggest deer you want to run into not the minimum deer you would take. .243 is an experts gun not a beginners .25-06 is great But as stated by others I think a 7mm-08 with a good recoil pad would be your best bet. I would also say stay away from muzzle brakes the added flash and noise will make people develop flinches fast, and you dont want to be looking for ear plugs when the big one walks out.
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: deewayne2003]
#2448013
07/23/11 02:11 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 754
obamawhy!!!
Tracker
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Tracker
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.243 is an experts gun not a beginners
For real?
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Re: Deer hunting with a 204
[Re: obamawhy!!!]
#2448046
07/23/11 02:22 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,571
deewayne2003
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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.243 is an experts gun not a beginners
For real? Yep thats my opinion, If you got deer under your belt then thats the lightest I want in your hands if I'm guiding Seen to many crying kids, pissed off women and upset husbands/fathers when deer dont go down and are lost. I really dont see any need for the ultra sub calibers either, most of recoil managment is mind over matter and proper form, unless shoulder surgery or disability comes into play.
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