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Feb 12th, 2024
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 Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: unclebubba]
#8378809
09/08/21 06:11 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483 |
There is just legal and ones effective shooting range in reference to impact energy. The real agreement is what is the minimal impact KE needed to effective
Why would you hunt with a 300 win mag if you don't shoot over 300 yards? Why would you use a 22-250 if you are going to shoot constantly over 300 yards? Right twist and bullet combo you can get 1000ft/g KE @ almost 600 yards with a 243. It's a never ending array of variables and opinions
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: unclebubba]
#8378932
09/08/21 07:46 PM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 309
NOCOOLNAMETOO
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 309 |
My first rifle was a .243,
Papa gave Daddy and Daddy gave to me,
And they taught me how to shoot with a steady hand,
I guess that's something you don't understand.
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: NOCOOLNAMETOO]
#8378948
09/08/21 08:00 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173 |
My first rifle was a .243,
Papa gave Daddy and Daddy gave to me,
And they taught me how to shoot with a steady hand,
I guess that's something you don't understand. -Whiskey Meyers 
![[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: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: freerange]
#8378950
09/08/21 08:01 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173 |
JG, I wouldnt fight you at all on that and many more wouldnt either. But you said "best" and the OP asked about "minimum". I can only figure that its a slow day at the fire station. I already addressed minimum. I moved on.  Working in the shop. Gotta stop for water breaks.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: J.G.]
#8379099
09/08/21 10:40 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,922
Jgraider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,922 |
I'll make this worse.
The best cartridges for whitetail are 7mm-08 and 7mm-08 A.I. loaded with a 162 or 168 gr. From the muzzle to past 500 yards. Man, woman, child.
Fight me! Make that a 140 Accubond at 2850 and you'd be on to something.
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#8379102
09/08/21 10:42 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,922
Jgraider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,922 |
There is just legal and ones effective shooting range in reference to impact energy. The real agreement is what is the minimal impact KE needed to effective
Why would you hunt with a 300 win mag if you don't shoot over 300 yards? Why would you use a 22-250 if you are going to shoot constantly over 300 yards? Right twist and bullet combo you can get 1000ft/g KE @ almost 600 yards with a 243. It's a never ending array of variables and opinions
Good points. Luckily for me, I get to actually see what bullets do while culling whitetail does, aoudad, and truckloads of hogs. Bullets matter a heckuva lot more than cartridges, IME.
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: Jgraider]
#8379117
09/08/21 11:03 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483 |
There is just legal and ones effective shooting range in reference to impact energy. The real agreement is what is the minimal impact KE needed to effective
Why would you hunt with a 300 win mag if you don't shoot over 300 yards? Why would you use a 22-250 if you are going to shoot constantly over 300 yards? Right twist and bullet combo you can get 1000ft/g KE @ almost 600 yards with a 243. It's a never ending array of variables and opinions
Good points. Luckily for me, I get to actually see what bullets do while culling whitetail does, aoudad, and truckloads of hogs. Bullets matter a heckuva lot more than cartridges, IME. And you are 100% right. Ever bullet is designed for an impact velocity’s range. Why cup and core don’t always do well in hot calibers yet monolithics excel in same hot calibers.
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: unclebubba]
#8379125
09/08/21 11:13 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,511
syncerus
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,511 |
When will you guys realize that the .23 caliber is best of all? Anything used by more than six people can’t possibly be good. 
NRA Patriot Benefactor & DSC Lifer
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: J.G.]
#8379143
09/08/21 11:33 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,475
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,475 |
JG, I wouldnt fight you at all on that and many more wouldnt either. But you said "best" and the OP asked about "minimum". I can only figure that its a slow day at the fire station. I already addressed minimum. I moved on. Working in the shop. Gotta stop for water breaks. I very much noted your minimum and was pleasantly surprised. I figured you would jump on the chance to talk about head shooting with a 22250 out to no telling how many yards. I hope you know I respect your abilities and most any jab is a back handed one.
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: Jgraider]
#8379145
09/08/21 11:34 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,475
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,475 |
I'll make this worse.
The best cartridges for whitetail are 7mm-08 and 7mm-08 A.I. loaded with a 162 or 168 gr. From the muzzle to past 500 yards. Man, woman, child.
Fight me! Make that a 140 Accubond at 2850 and you'd be on to something. I love it anytime anyone mentions ACCUBONDS or PARTITIONS.
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: freerange]
#8379148
09/08/21 11:39 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,175
scottfromdallas
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,175 |
I love it anytime anyone mentions ACCUBONDS or PARTITIONS.
I'm starting to like plain old flat base interlocks.
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: unclebubba]
#8379192
09/09/21 12:23 AM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 33
RAGIN CAJUN
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 33 |
My son killed ~15-20 deer with a .243 savage with a bushnell crap scope with 100gr Remington interlocks. Only 3-4 deer ran off. That was a straight shootin rifle.
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: NOCOOLNAMETOO]
#8379357
09/09/21 02:54 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,935
unclebubba
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,935 |
My first rifle was a .243,
Papa gave Daddy and Daddy gave to me,
And they taught me how to shoot with a steady hand,
I guess that's something you don't understand. My first rifle literally was a .243 passed down to me. I love that song.
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: 10 Gauge]
#8379362
09/09/21 02:57 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,935
unclebubba
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,935 |
No that’s .25 rimfire and up. And ALL centerfire.
How bout a .32 acp I missed that. Ignore my previous statement of "Debate over"
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: J.G.]
#8379371
09/09/21 03:19 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,935
unclebubba
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,935 |
Talk about marginal. I'd take a .243 over any of those every time, but then I've only killed around 100 or so with a .243. Within 125 yards, those three rounds are far from marginal. I did have a bit of an epiphany earlier today. My experience with a 243 was a Rem 788 carbine. That I used from childhood through my mid 20's. I didn't handload back then, and I didn't understand how barrel length affected accuracy. Although very accurate, I just didn't feel that it performed very well, and was loud as hell. Today's epiphany was the fact that it was an 18" carbine and I probably was getting dismal performance due to the short barrel. Maybe that's why I have a bad taste leftover from my 243 experience. I'll make this worse.
The best cartridges for whitetail are 7mm-08 and 7mm-08 A.I. loaded with a 162 or 168 gr. From the muzzle to past 500 yards. Man, woman, child.
Fight me! If you load the right bullet to match the speed of the round you are shooting, the deer won't know the difference between a 257, 6.5, .270, 7mm, or .30 caliber. All of the midrange calibers are just so similar between 0 and 300 yards IMO. Most people wouldn't dream of shooting a deer at 500 yards.
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: unclebubba]
#8379373
09/09/21 03:20 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,031
skinnerback
THF Celebrity Chef
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THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,031 |
My first rifle was a .243,
Papa gave Daddy and Daddy gave to me,
And they taught me how to shoot with a steady hand,
I guess that's something you don't understand. My first rifle literally was a .243 passed down to me. I love that song. My first deer rifle was a 270, all one shot kills with that gun. Was a great shooter I loved that Model 70, but a "friend" of mine that I took hunting stole it along with the rest of my guns. Then I went and bought a cheap old used Savage 243. It was not a great shooter at first, but once I replaced the scope & rings it has been my go-to rifle. Have killed hundreds of animals with it. I have other rifles that I love to hunt with too, but I almost feel like I'm cheating on Old Faithful though every time I grab another rifle...
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: freerange]
#8379635
09/09/21 01:34 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173 |
JG, I wouldnt fight you at all on that and many more wouldnt either. But you said "best" and the OP asked about "minimum". I can only figure that its a slow day at the fire station. I already addressed minimum. I moved on. Working in the shop. Gotta stop for water breaks. I very much noted your minimum and was pleasantly surprised. I figured you would jump on the chance to talk about head shooting with a 22250 out to no telling how many yards. I hope you know I respect your abilities and most any jab is a back handed one. Well, not everyone is comfortable trying to hit the brain stem. Most folks shoot for vitals. I get it, it's an 8" target instead of a 2". I do the same when the situation dictates.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: unclebubba]
#8379638
09/09/21 01:37 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173 |
Talk about marginal. I'd take a .243 over any of those every time, but then I've only killed around 100 or so with a .243. Within 125 yards, those three rounds are far from marginal. I did have a bit of an epiphany earlier today. My experience with a 243 was a Rem 788 carbine. That I used from childhood through my mid 20's. I didn't handload back then, and I didn't understand how barrel length affected accuracy. Although very accurate, I just didn't feel that it performed very well, and was loud as hell. Today's epiphany was the fact that it was an 18" carbine and I probably was getting dismal performance due to the short barrel. Maybe that's why I have a bad taste leftover from my 243 experience. I'll make this worse.
The best cartridges for whitetail are 7mm-08 and 7mm-08 A.I. loaded with a 162 or 168 gr. From the muzzle to past 500 yards. Man, woman, child.
Fight me! If you load the right bullet to match the speed of the round you are shooting, the deer won't know the difference between a 257, 6.5, .270, 7mm, or .30 caliber. All of the midrange calibers are just so similar between 0 and 300 yards IMO. Most people wouldn't dream of shooting a deer at 500 yards. Agreed. And I never have planned to, or needed to, until... My pronghorn hunt made me have to make a long shot. 162 ELD-X coming out at a mere 2640 fps had enough energy at 689 yards. He took no step.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: unclebubba]
#8379659
09/09/21 02:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,254
Judd
#1 Creedmoor Fan
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#1 Creedmoor Fan
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,254 |
Whenever this subject comes up on here it ends up in these same conversations.
Yep and some states have pretty much ended the conversation by putting in caliber and ft-lbs restrictions. Not my list but one I stole from another forum. Alabama- centerfire Alaska- centerfire Alberta- .23 and up centerfire Arizona- centerfire Arkansas- .22 and up centerfire California- centerfire Colorado- .24 and up, 70grn or larger bullet/ minimum of 1000ft/lbs at 100 yards Connecticut- .243 and up if legal in your area Delaware- shotgun/muzzle loader Florida- centerfire Georgia- .22 and up centerfire Hawaii- Any rifle with at least 1200 ft/lbs of ME. This would start at around .223 I think Idaho- Centerfire (cannot weigh more than 16 lbs?) Illinois- Shotgun/ML/Pistol only Indiana- Rifles with pistol calibers/shotgun/ML/Pistols Iowa- .24 or larger centerfire only for antlerless season in part of the state. Kansas- .23 or larger centerfire (actually says larger than .23 so maybe .24 is the mininum) kentucky- centerfire Louisiana- .22 and up centerfire Maine- .22 magnum rimfire and up! Manitoba- Centerfire, but it says .23 and below not recommended. Does not say illegal though. Maryland- ME of at least 1200 ft/lbs Mass- Shotgun/ML Michigan- centerfire in certain areas Minnesota- .24 and up centerfire Mississippi- No restrictions that I could find Missouri- centerfire Montana- No restrictions Nebraska- Rifles with 900 ft/lbs or more at 100 yards Nevada- .22 centerfire and up New Hampshire- centerfire New Jersey- shotgun only New Mexico- centerfire New York- centerfire North Carolina- No restrictions North Dakota- .22-.49 centerfire Nova Scotia- .23 and up Ohio- Shotgun/ML Oklahoma- centerfire with 55 grn or heavier bullet Ontario- centerfire Oregon- .22 centerfire and up Pennsylvania- centerfire Quebec- 6mm/.243 and up Rhode Island- shotgun/ML Saskatchewan- .24 and up South Carolina- centerfire South Dakota- rifles with 1,000 ft/lbs or more ME Tennessee- centerfire Texas- centerfire Utah- centerfire vermont- No restriction Virginia- .23 centerfire and up Washington- .24 centerfire and up West Virginia- .25 rimfire and up and all centerfire Wisconsin- .22 centerfire and up Wyoming- .23 centerfire and up Looks like West Virginia has ruled out the .243 as effective enough, proving my theory that it is a marginal choice. Everything below .243 is out, everything .243 and up is good to go. Debate over. Because bureaucrats and lawmakers do typically understand what they are doing. 
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: Judd]
#8379766
09/09/21 03:56 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,935
unclebubba
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,935 |
Because bureaucrats and lawmakers do typically understand what they are doing. Exactly!! See, now we are on the same page! But seriously, there are other rounds besides the 6.5 Creedmoor that do a good job with deer. When are you going to realize that?
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: unclebubba]
#8379775
09/09/21 04:04 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483 |
Because bureaucrats and lawmakers do typically understand what they are doing. Exactly!! See, now we are on the same page! But seriously, there are other rounds besides the 6.5 Creedmoor that do a good job with deer. When are you going to realize that? He uses a 6.5 GAP and 7-08?
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#8379814
09/09/21 04:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,935
unclebubba
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,935 |
Because bureaucrats and lawmakers do typically understand what they are doing. Exactly!! See, now we are on the same page! But seriously, there are other rounds besides the 6.5 Creedmoor that do a good job with deer. When are you going to realize that? He uses a 6.5 GAP and 7-08? ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/userpics/2021/09/full-31921-309526-capture.png)
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Re: Minimum Caliber for deer
[Re: unclebubba]
#8379834
09/09/21 04:56 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483 |
Because bureaucrats and lawmakers do typically understand what they are doing. Exactly!! See, now we are on the same page! But seriously, there are other rounds besides the 6.5 Creedmoor that do a good job with deer. When are you going to realize that? He uses a 6.5 GAP and 7-08? He just thinks they mirror his intimate gender preferences
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