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Deer hunting with a 204 #2447085 07/22/11 05:26 PM
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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!


Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: STXHO] #2447097 07/22/11 05:34 PM
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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.
Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: txtrophy85] #2447122 07/22/11 05:44 PM
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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..


Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: smackindoes] #2447129 07/22/11 05:50 PM
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2nd the .223, unless she would be willing to give a .25-06 a try.


Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: smackindoes] #2447140 07/22/11 05:56 PM
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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.
Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: STXHO] #2447158 07/22/11 06:06 PM
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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.





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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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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



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Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: redchevy] #2447369 07/22/11 08:06 PM
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204 and 223 are too small for deer imo. 243/7mm/08 would be the choice



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Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: redchevy] #2447390 07/22/11 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted By: redchevy
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.
Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: redchevy] #2447446 07/22/11 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted By: redchevy
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!


Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: STXHO] #2447455 07/22/11 08:49 PM
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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.


Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: STXHO] #2447464 07/22/11 08:51 PM
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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


Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: BMD] #2447466 07/22/11 08:52 PM
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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.


Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: ctonsmitty] #2447482 07/22/11 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted By: ctonsmitty

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.
Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: ctonsmitty] #2447485 07/22/11 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted By: ctonsmitty
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.
Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: txtrophy85] #2447497 07/22/11 09:04 PM
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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!


Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: STXHO] #2447499 07/22/11 09:04 PM
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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.



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Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: STXHO] #2447516 07/22/11 09:11 PM
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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.


Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: redchevy] #2447625 07/22/11 10:05 PM
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Originally Posted By: redchevy
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 wink
Thanks for the input, I agree with the idea of a 243.


Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: txtrophy85] #2447837 07/23/11 12:30 AM
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Originally Posted By: txtrophy85
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, up


Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: Rustler] #2447867 07/23/11 12:48 AM
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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.


Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: obamawhy!!!] #2447937 07/23/11 01:27 AM
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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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Originally Posted By: txtrophy85
Originally Posted By: ctonsmitty

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.


Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: deewayne2003] #2448013 07/23/11 02:11 AM
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.243 is an experts gun not a beginners

For real?


Re: Deer hunting with a 204 [Re: obamawhy!!!] #2448046 07/23/11 02:22 AM
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Originally Posted By: obamawhy!!!
.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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