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Feb 7th, 2025
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 Caliber Information
#5528401
01/08/15 09:21 PM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 60
Bobvilla
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 60 |
I've got the brand/model of deer rifle picked out but I have to make the most difficult decision.....caliber selection. I'd prefer to do my own research and draw my own conclusion instead of take someone's word for it....however what do I look at? I've been told not to look at ballistics. Is that bad advice and if so, what else is there to look at?
If ballistics is the best thing to analyze, I'm thinking the critical data would be velocity, energy, and drop with different bullets at different distances. Anything else? I can't find a chart that has recoil data alongside......
I'll dive into the bullet/ammo selection after I've chosen the caliber, hopefully that's not bass ackwards...
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: Bobvilla]
#5528419
01/08/15 09:27 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 19,342
ChadTRG42
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 19,342 |
I always pick what bullet I want to shoot, then figure out how fast I want it, and then decide on the parent case I will use to get those speeds. Caliber choice is like a Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota preference. If the rifle you want comes in anything bigger than a 243 size bullet, it will work well for Texas hunting. IMO, BC data doesn't come into play until 400 yards plus. Rifle recoil: http://www.handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: Bobvilla]
#5528420
01/08/15 09:27 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,717
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,717 |
Balistics matter if your going to utilize them. If you want to hunt at 500 yards something with a decent amount of initial velocity mass and energy with a good bc bullet is probably something to consider. If your going to shoot deer at a feeder 100 yards away anything from 223 with good ammo through the sky is the limit will provide adequate performance.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: ChadTRG42]
#5528450
01/08/15 09:39 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 63,279
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 63,279 |
I always pick what bullet I want to shoot, then figure out how fast I want it, and then decide on the parent case I will use to get those speeds. Caliber choice is like a Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota preference. If the rifle you want comes in anything bigger than a 243 size bullet, it will work well for Texas hunting. IMO, BC data doesn't come into play until 400 yards plus. Rifle recoil: http://www.handloads.com/calc/recoil.aspWe should just make your post a sticky and then move everyone of these threads under it. Pretty much sums everything thing up  
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, b/c they know not victory nor defeat"- #26 TR
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: Bobvilla]
#5528677
01/08/15 11:26 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,410
WileyCoyote
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,410 |
BOBO...OH NO don't do THAT! then we won't be able to spout off all the inanity's we were subjected to by well meaning peer groups of relatives and the rest of the Peanut Gallery  I'd only have one other critreria to mention besides what Chad said...Find a rifle brand and model that FITS YOU WELL FIRST...then pick the caliber. You will be surprised at the Gun Co's Marketing Guru's who don't agree with a common caliber list past the basic 4 or 5 choices....and HAVE FUN messing with the Sales Clerks. Ron
It is TIME for Term Limits, cause Politicians are like childrens diapers and for the same reasons...Robin Williams
"These are the times that try men's soul's"...Thomas Paine
"Those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it" ....Santayana
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: Bobvilla]
#5528779
01/09/15 12:16 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,618
Texas Dan
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,618 |
I have always kept diversity in mind when adding a firearm to my collection, both in brand and caliber.
Since you've already decided on a specific model, I would suggest a caliber that's not already in your collection, so long as it satisfies the requirement for what you intend to harvest with it.
And while some pride themselves in going after the less common calibers, I avoid them so that I'm not chasing around trying to find ammo when I need it most.
"When the debate is lost, insults become the tool of the loser."
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: Bobvilla]
#5528938
01/09/15 01:38 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,650
syncerus
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,650 |
Not to sound like a broken record, but if you don't know what you want, then you want a .30-06. There are other choices just as good for Texas hunting, and some are even better under limited circumstances, so this isn't yet another caliber debate. I'm just saying the .30-06 is only very rarely a bad choice.
NRA Patriot Benefactor & DSC Lifer
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: Bobvilla]
#5529124
01/09/15 03:11 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,398
Bullfrog
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,398 |
Like, when you don't wanna get beat up every time. 
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: Bobvilla]
#5529141
01/09/15 03:25 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,650
syncerus
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,650 |
Lol. Funny, but a well fitting .30-06 with a quality recoil pad kicks only minimally for an experienced shooter. The original post didn't indicate any special preference for low recoil. Otherwise I would have recommended a .223, of course. 
NRA Patriot Benefactor & DSC Lifer
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: syncerus]
#5529158
01/09/15 03:29 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,590
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,590 |
Lol. Funny, but a well fitting .30-06 with a quality recoil pad kicks only minimally for an experienced shooter. The original post didn't indicate any special preference for low recoil. Otherwise I would have recommended a .223, of course. Lot better choices for deer hunting than a .30-06
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: Bobvilla]
#5529166
01/09/15 03:33 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,393
Tactical Cowboy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,393 |
It's easy. .30-06. If that won't fit in your rifle, .223.
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: Bobvilla]
#5529328
01/09/15 04:50 AM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 119
KJG
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 119 |
a 270 is a hard overall round to beat.
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: txtrophy85]
#5529562
01/09/15 01:40 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,717
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,717 |
Lol. Funny, but a well fitting .30-06 with a quality recoil pad kicks only minimally for an experienced shooter. The original post didn't indicate any special preference for low recoil. Otherwise I would have recommended a .223, of course. Lot better choices for deer hunting than a .30-06 Like what? And if you say 270 im gonna laugh!
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: Bobvilla]
#5529629
01/09/15 02:14 PM
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 329
bside
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 329 |
It has been
11 0
Days since we had a caliber war involving the .30-06
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: bside]
#5529633
01/09/15 02:15 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,717
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,717 |
It has been
11 0
Days since we had a caliber war involving the .30-06
Well that's too long friend!
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: Bobvilla]
#5529935
01/09/15 04:15 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 14,200
tth_40
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 14,200 |
I use the .30-06 and .270 Win. interchangeably for the hunting I do. Been playing with 7mm-08 for a while as well. It just depends on the mood I'm in. For the game and performance envelope at the ranges I shoot at, they all work well.
In the 30 years I've been hunting, I very seldom take a shot over 300 yards, and I can count the shots on one hand that I've taken at that distance or more. Most of the shots I am comfortable taking are from 50 to 250 yards.
Everyone's hunting situation and comfort level is different.
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#5530022
01/09/15 04:45 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091 |
I always pick what bullet I want to shoot, then figure out how fast I want it, and then decide on the parent case I will use to get those speeds. Caliber choice is like a Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota preference. If the rifle you want comes in anything bigger than a 243 size bullet, it will work well for Texas hunting. IMO, BC data doesn't come into play until 400 yards plus. Rifle recoil: http://www.handloads.com/calc/recoil.aspWe should just make your post a sticky and then move everyone of these threads under it. Pretty much sums everything thing up Seriously. You should just sticky that as a response to all TX hunting caliber threads. 
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: redchevy]
#5530215
01/09/15 06:06 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 43,269
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 43,269 |
It has been
11 0
Days since we had a caliber war involving the .30-06
Well that's too long friend! 
![[Linked Image]](http://www.precisionriflehunters.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/garvey.jpg) 800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: Bobvilla]
#5530319
01/09/15 06:50 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,062
Toxarch
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,062 |
I'd say figure out what you are shooting at first, then pick the caliber.
It is far more important to be able to hit the target than it is to haggle over who makes a weapon or who pulls a trigger.
� Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: Bobvilla]
#5530389
01/09/15 07:19 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,131
postoak
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,131 |
Announce what caliber you bought and then when people post that you screwed up and should have gotten such-and-such a caliber, PM each one of them and say you really got their favorite caliber but posted what you did "to keep from upsetting people".
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: Bobvilla]
#5530475
01/09/15 07:50 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,421
oldoak2000
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,421 |
I've got the brand/model of deer rifle picked out but I have to make the most difficult decision.....caliber selection. I'd prefer to do my own research and draw my own conclusion instead of take someone's word for it....however what do I look at? I've been told not to look at ballistics. Is that bad advice and if so, what else is there to look at?
If ballistics is the best thing to analyze, I'm thinking the critical data would be velocity, energy, and drop with different bullets at different distances. Anything else? I can't find a chart that has recoil data alongside......
I'll dive into the bullet/ammo selection after I've chosen the caliber, hopefully that's not bass ackwards... Sounds like you've already been doing ok with a .243 at 100 +/- yards, so maybe time to move up a little. 270, 7mm08, 30.06, 308 would all be fine choices for you, with no other input/details provided other than 'deer hunting'. Reduced-Recoil ammo can be found all these calibers, so you can always start with that if reg-ammo is too much at first, then build up. If ammo availability is any concern, I have notices that for the last several shortages, 270 always seems to be available everywhere when the shelves are completely empty of all other calibers.
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: Bobvilla]
#5531989
01/10/15 11:06 AM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,272
Dave Davidson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,272 |
Here we go again. Hey guys, if I decide to mess around on my Wife, would you recommend a blonde, brunette or redhead?
Without a sense of urgency, nothing ever happens.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley, Rancher Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: Dave Davidson]
#5532109
01/10/15 01:41 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,630
Cast
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,630 |
Here we go again. Hey guys, if I decide to mess around on my Wife, would you recommend a blonde, brunette or redhead? I recommend a matched set.
Cast ![[Linked Image]](http://winsounds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Longhorn-Logo.png) I have a short attention spa
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Re: Caliber Information
[Re: Cast]
#5532679
01/10/15 06:31 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,062
Toxarch
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,062 |
Here we go again. Hey guys, if I decide to mess around on my Wife, would you recommend a blonde, brunette or redhead? I recommend a matched set. Agreed. Try all 3.
It is far more important to be able to hit the target than it is to haggle over who makes a weapon or who pulls a trigger.
� Dwight D. Eisenhower
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