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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: ntxtrapper]
#8741575
11/24/22 04:05 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,324
onlysmith&wesson
THF Trophy Hunter
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Most people that shoot the .243 don't do a lot of load development because bullets are limited and you can buy the cheapest ammo off the shelf and punch holes that you can place a quarter over. That said ammo for the .243 has improved tremendously over the years. It's a darn good hunting caliber, mild recoil, accurate, and especially when the hunter knows it's limitations, it gets the job done. I have 2 of them both in Model 7's and they are Texas deer killing machines. I wouldn't trade either of them for any other caliber. I love my .243. Had it 43 years, my first rifle and hunted with it as my only rifle for 20 years. Finally had time and more $ to hunt and shoot so I put it away in the stock shown. A few years ago I found a donor stock and put it back in my line up. Grit blast, paint, spray webbing, opened up barrel channel and this 1979 made 700 in .243 still shoots lights out. .243 is great for everything except large bodied whitetails, IMO. So many more ammo options now than when I was 17 years old for .243.
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: onlysmith&wesson]
#8741581
11/24/22 04:09 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,160
J.G.
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OP
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I really enjoy shooting a .243 Win
It is a terrific coyote cartridge. I prefer more energy and larger hole on whitetail.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: J.G.]
#8741607
11/24/22 04:35 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,324
onlysmith&wesson
THF Trophy Hunter
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I really enjoy shooting a .243 Win
It is a terrific coyote cartridge. I prefer more energy and larger hole on whitetail. So nice to tote around, zero recoil, not loud but is a killer. I put QD's on the side of the stock I painted, front carry all day.
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: J.G.]
#8741621
11/24/22 04:53 PM
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Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 352
Big Sam
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2021
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I only get to visit Texas and all my hog hunting is currently with the 300 Ham'r. However... If the great state of Texas had an official rifle cartridge I would suggest the 308. It has become the standard bearer and the cartridge everything is compared to. It is never a bad choice (for medium game) and is often the best choice. I shoot lots of other cartridges too. But if nailed down to a single cartridge it would have to be the 308.
"Group think" is not thinking. It is the lack of independent thought. It is a cancer of the mind.
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: J.G.]
#8741641
11/24/22 05:11 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,568
garyrapp55
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I’m surprised 270 is leading. I’ve never owned one but shot a few. Recoil to performance ratio is out of balance in my opinion. Also surprised the 65cm is so far behind.
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: J.G.]
#8741648
11/24/22 05:18 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,535
redchevy
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I voted 270 and own one. Was my first deer rifle at age 10, bought with tips from setting 9 pin. Wouldn’t buy it again though it would be a 30-06 or 7mag. At 10 I was hesitant to buy a 7 mag but think I. The end would have been fine.
Last edited by redchevy; 11/24/22 05:19 PM.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: garyrapp55]
#8741666
11/24/22 05:43 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,173
scottfromdallas
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I’m surprised 270 is leading. I’ve never owned one but shot a few. Recoil to performance ratio is out of balance in my opinion. Also surprised the 65cm is so far behind. I think it’s been the default deer cartridge for several decades. I used to hear all the time how it’s a “flat shooting sum b*tch”.
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: TXHOGSLAYER]
#8741734
11/24/22 08:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,671
10 Gauge
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I guess .270 since 30-30 wasn’t an option…
1 Thessalonians 4:11-14
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: J.G.]
#8741741
11/24/22 08:21 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,517
RiverRider
THF Trophy Hunter
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,517 |
It will all change over time. Always has.
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: J.G.]
#8741743
11/24/22 08:23 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,902
txtrophy85
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I’ve seen a few deer shot with a .243….always with either a 100 grain core-lokt or a 100 grain power point, with one 100 grain partition mixed in.
Results were always very mediocre….little blood, deer usually ran quite a ways.
I believe if you lightened the bullet a tad and sped it up a tad it would perform much better.
When I started hunting in my circles it was referred to as a kids/ladies caliber. I agree with 6.5 has by and large replaced it for new shooters, and I would follow suite. A 6.5 cm is a better killer than a .243
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: J.G.]
#8741779
11/24/22 10:20 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 15,962
Jimbo1
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Dad gave me a Marlin in 30-30 in 1997. It's not for sale and never will be.
I did get dies, brass, and bullets. I need to get that thing running on my ammo. I've been hunting with a 36A for over 25 years. Just yesterday took a buck at 130 yards with tried-and-true Win Super X 150 grain Power Point.
FJB - Lets Go Brandon BBB - Bring Back Better Awake - Not Woke!
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: J.G.]
#8741800
11/24/22 11:03 PM
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 274
Graycard
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 274 |
I'll just jump in and vote for the 300 HAM'R. This cartridge was born and developed in Texas. (Keep in mind that I do not live in Texas and all of my trips there have been for the NRA or hog hunting.
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: J.G.]
#8741993
11/25/22 05:13 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,482
Blanco
Pro Tracker
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I have all the calibers in the list. That said my go to is the .270 first. I am not sure why, but every deer I have ever shot with it folds up on the spot. JG turned me on to the 7-08 and It is by far the most accurate and may replace the .270 soon. I have a 6.5CM(ManBun) and its a nice little round but I just haven't been impressed...very mediocre. I have a 30-06 and its a great round but I go to 7 RemMag or 300 Win if I need a bit more horsepower.
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: J.G.]
#8741995
11/25/22 05:26 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,482
Blanco
Pro Tracker
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Dad gave me a Marlin in 30-30 in 1997. It's not for sale and never will be.
I did get dies, brass, and bullets. I need to get that thing running on my ammo. When You get around to it Hornady 160 Gr FTX and Lever Revolution is a magic combination. Actually kicks up performance and accuracy by a big margin.
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: J.G.]
#8742017
11/25/22 09:46 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,240
Erny
Extreme Tracker
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Of the choices on there I had to go with a 270
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: garyrapp55]
#8742055
11/25/22 12:37 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,150
Hudbone
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Caught off guard on the 270 although I shoot it and so does one of my SIL's. The other has a 308 and is perfectly comfortable with it. I had thought it would be comfortably in 2nd behind the .06. I’m surprised 270 is leading. I’ve never owned one but shot a few. Recoil to performance ratio is out of balance in my opinion. Also surprised the 65cm is so far behind. I would never think to pull your man card, but the 6.5 is right where it should be. Not enough metrosexuals up in TX Lite to get it any farther along. Procraft actually posted something quite sensible here - "I believe what youre saying, just as id believe the ones toting the 270,243 and 30-06's aren't looking for help shooting lol Id bet they are some old school, red flannel, Marlboro type guys At least the ones I know are and there's a bunch of em A box will last that type a couple years.... They'll hunt opening weekend and maybe the weekend they hear rut is on If you y'all don't know this type I don't know what to say.."
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: J.G.]
#8742064
11/25/22 12:49 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,323
Dave Davidson
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My brother, now deceased, was a very well competition bench shooter and barrel cutter. He, and a lot of his buddies shot a 6BR. I have one of his guns plus brass, etc. Just have t gotten around to messing with it.
But, I have a safe full of shooting irons with cartridge components, dies, etc that I don’t shoot. A couple I’ve never shot.
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: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: J.G.]
#8742066
11/25/22 12:55 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,902
GasGuzzler
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People keep mentioning deer camp and hunting but the original topic question does not.
.223 Rem/5.56X45mm and .30-30 are probably what I'd vote for if they were choices.
Pass the gravy.
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: GasGuzzler]
#8742078
11/25/22 01:33 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,160
J.G.
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People keep mentioning deer camp and hunting but the original topic question does not.
.223 Rem/5.56X45mm and .30-30 are probably what I'd vote for if they were choices. You're closer. One cartridge to do it all. Are there cartridges that will hunt everything in Texas as well as defend your home with? Definitely. And a couple can even be loaded with a little bitty bullet going very fast for prairie dog killing.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: Graycard]
#8742088
11/25/22 02:11 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,306
DLALLDER
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I'll just jump in and vote for the 300 HAM'R. This cartridge was born and developed in Texas. (Keep in mind that I do not live in Texas and all of my trips there have been for the NRA or hog hunting. X2 and I do live in Texas. Born in Texas and have lived in Texas all my life other than early years as a child.
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: J.G.]
#8742158
11/25/22 03:56 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,633
DStroud
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Seems to me that a state that has a barrel contour named for it “Sendero” wouldn’t want a short range slow moving bullet caliber for its state cartridge. Any round that ain’t moving a standard factory round bullet 3000 fps is automatically out! 270 Winchester for the win.
Last edited by DStroud; 11/25/22 03:57 PM.
"Anyone taking up handloading necessarily plays with unknown factors and takes chances. But so does anyone who drives a car,goes to a cocktail party,eats in a restaurant,or gets married."
Jack O'Connor 1963
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#8742173
11/25/22 04:18 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,918
Jgraider
THF Trophy Hunter
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Posts: 5,918 |
I’ve seen a few deer shot with a .243….always with either a 100 grain core-lokt or a 100 grain power point, with one 100 grain partition mixed in.
Results were always very mediocre….little blood, deer usually ran quite a ways.
I believe if you lightened the bullet a tad and sped it up a tad it would perform much better.
When I started hunting in my circles it was referred to as a kids/ladies caliber. I agree with 6.5 has by and large replaced it for new shooters, and I would follow suite. A 6.5 cm is a better killer than a .243 I prefer the 6.5CM to the .243 myself. With the right bullets it's a deer and hog killing machine. There's a Montana guy over on 24HCF that is a gov't hunter/trapper (if that's the right terminology). He's taken multiples of everything including elk with the 6.5CM and 139gr Scenar, which are fantastic bullets (obviously), and work great on a few mule deer bucks and loads of hogs for me and my son. That being said, the LO's son on our mule deer place has killed several big muley bucks with his .243 and 95gr ballistic tips. They are great bullets as well.
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: J.G.]
#8742185
11/25/22 04:40 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,563
patriot07
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I know lots of shooters & hunters. Can't say I know anyone who owns a 270 or if they do, I've never seen it.
A couple of 308s, lots of 6.5 creedmoors, and then some higher power stuff like 300 win mag, 7 rem mag & such
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: garyrapp55]
#8742281
11/25/22 07:45 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12,125
ntxtrapper
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I’m surprised 270 is leading. I’ve never owned one but shot a few. Recoil to performance ratio is out of balance in my opinion. Also surprised the 65cm is so far behind. 6.5CM with 6%. Interesting.
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Re: The official rifle cartridge of Texas?
[Re: ntxtrapper]
#8742288
11/25/22 07:58 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,918
Jgraider
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I’m surprised 270 is leading. I’ve never owned one but shot a few. Recoil to performance ratio is out of balance in my opinion. Also surprised the 65cm is so far behind. 6.5CM with 6%. Interesting. It's called Creedmoor Derangement Syndrome. I'd bet it's the most sold cartridge anywhere over the past 3 years.
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