1st Deer Calibre Rifle - Advice

[Tom D]

Once upon a time, around 2012, I bought my first rifle and for a variety of good reasons, applied for a 7mm-08. Then I set out to buy a variety of different factory loads to see what worked best in my rifle. I found that few gunshops had any in stock around London (there are not very many anyway) and that some brands were 60 quid a box. I managed to find four boxes of assorted Federal and Remington loads. The Remington ones were awful in my rifle. The Federals were both very good. I was subsequently given most of a box of Federal Fusions by The Deer Man on here, and they were equally good. Frankly, any of the Federals, be they Fusion, Power Shok or Vital Shok were just fine, but they were expensive. For stalking this didn't matter, I don't use half a dozen rounds a year on deer. For practice it was totally unaffordable. I first went down the road of custom reloads, essentially specifying a copy of the Federals. They weren't very good, but they were a lot cheaper.

Then, some well-meaning reloading proselytisers on SD started sending me assorted bits of reloading kit to make me see the light: an old RCBS press, a set of Lee dies, funnel, scales, etc. All I had to do was buy powder, primers, bullets and the Lee reloading book. Turns out it's easy, just follow the process. But it takes a while to do all the testing as I had to go down to Bisley which is a bit of a mission. Anyway, since then, I can reload 7mm-08 rounds to my heart's content with FMJs for practice, and have the same load with hollowpoints for stalking. A shoebox full of kit has kept me going for five years now. After the initial outlay, the cost is totally negligible, and now I can have bullets posted to me.

Honestly, it's easy and worth it. And now I know I could buy a rifle in any obscure calibre I liked. All I need is paperwork and a new set of dies.

Failing that, the Federal stuff is awesome, and the Fusion is quite affordable.

That almost echoes my own experiences with the 7-08, I started with a lee hand press and s few bits and bobs which did literally fit in a shoe box..

 

[User00003]

I don't know what you're complaining about; I bought some Norma 7x57 yesterday which was marked at £60, although I did manage to beat him down to £55 if I bought 2 packs.

yep

Had to check, and can’t believe I actually paid that! Lol...you don’t send 40 of those babies downrange in a practice session!!!

View attachment 97127

 

[McKenzie]

Just looked & they're £46 at Bushwear.

 

[User00003]

Just looked & they're £46 at Bushwear.

and they are making a profit of £10 too

 

[Kernow_Stalker]

I started with .243 did me fine and never lost a deer with it, but never had full confidence in it either.
Got a 7mm08, which was a great cartridge (although if you don't homeload don't bother) got rid of that rifle recently due to accuracy loss and I really wanted a bergara HMR

Now shooting a bergara HMR in 6.5 creedmoor and its fantastic, really rate it as a cartridge and so far have every confidence in it. Time will tell as I cull a few more deer with it though. 6.5 creedmoor would be a fantastic first cartridge but only if you homeload. If you don't then I think 6.5x55 would do everything you want of it.

Just my 2 pence worth

cheers

KS

 

[big ears]

Out last night. 120yd six point buck with 140gr 6.5x55. He knew I was there and on edge. Heart shot, staggered 10yds and fell. Exit wound size of 50p total meat lost size of palm of hand. If you hit them right they don’t run, you keep all the meat and its a pleasure to shoot.

6.5x55 does it every time

 

[Kalahari]

Believe me it might!!!

David.

But you can’t spoil a good walk on a rifle range..

 

[The deer man]

yep

Had to check, and can’t believe I actually paid that! Lol...you don’t send 40 of those babies downrange in a practice session!!!

View attachment 97127

Well I can believe the Norma is expensive whatever the calibre.

However the Hornady Whitetail in a variety of calibres is getting quite good feedback, it's cheap (er!) than most and is effectively a good old Hornady interlock which I've found accurate and does the job.

The only cartridges I perhaps wouldn't use them in is the long cased cartridges (30-06, 270 7x64 etc) as they can be driven too fast for this bullet and cause excessive meat damage - still do the job though.

 

[cjs66]

6.5x55. Love mine, shot plenty Red and Roe with it, no problem. Nothing has ran anymore than I would expect it to with a good solid H/L shot. I also have a 308 and to tell the truth, I honestly can't tell the difference with the recoil. If the the gun fits, either are a complete pussycat to shoot.
Just to add, I'm a recreational stalker and shoot maybe 20-30 deer a year. Some that get out more or stalk professionally might have other thoughts on it.

cjs

 

[Odders]

Once upon a time, around 2012, I bought my first rifle and for a variety of good reasons, applied for a 7mm-08. Then I set out to buy a variety of different factory loads to see what worked best in my rifle. I found that few gunshops had any in stock around London (there are not very many anyway) and that some brands were 60 quid a box. I managed to find four boxes of assorted Federal and Remington loads. The Remington ones were awful in my rifle. The Federals were both very good. I was subsequently given most of a box of Federal Fusions by The Deer Man on here, and they were equally good. Frankly, any of the Federals, be they Fusion, Power Shok or Vital Shok were just fine, but they were expensive. For stalking this didn't matter, I don't use half a dozen rounds a year on deer. For practice it was totally unaffordable. I first went down the road of custom reloads, essentially specifying a copy of the Federals. They weren't very good, but they were a lot cheaper.

Then, some well-meaning reloading proselytisers on SD started sending me assorted bits of reloading kit to make me see the light: an old RCBS press, a set of Lee dies, funnel, scales, etc. All I had to do was buy powder, primers, bullets and the Lee reloading book. Turns out it's easy, just follow the process. But it takes a while to do all the testing as I had to go down to Bisley which is a bit of a mission. Anyway, since then, I can reload 7mm-08 rounds to my heart's content with FMJs for practice, and have the same load with hollowpoints for stalking. A shoebox full of kit has kept me going for five years now. After the initial outlay, the cost is totally negligible, and now I can have bullets posted to me.

Honestly, it's easy and worth it. And now I know I could buy a rifle in any obscure calibre I liked. All I need is paperwork and a new set of dies.

Failing that, the Federal stuff is awesome, and the Fusion is quite affordable.

Agreed.
Reloading is the only sensible option for anyone shooting more than a couple of 20rd boxes a year.
Federal Fusion ammunition has performed excellently every time I've seen it used. Hack, even I managed 5 into under an inch @ 200yds with it.

 

[barbel]

how many boxes if your gun shoots ppu ???

 

[Wilf102]

Was the .270 moderated. Its a pussycat with one on. So tbh its a case of how much you want to spent. 243 and 308 are ubiquitous and ammo easy to find. 6.5 x 55 increasingly so. But thats slightly a red herring as if you need to order in from a RFD they will want a reasonable sized order. 150-200 rounds will keep you going for a while.