2 calibres

[308 sako]

If you could have only 2 calibres, one for small deer and one for large deer, what would you choose and why?

 

[VSS]

I think I'd just stick with what I've got:

.243 - nice easy shooting, accurate, excellent for foxing too.

.270 - because it's simply the best and it makes such a lovely big bang and I smile whenever I pick it up.

 

[Steve Q]

.243 for small deer
Accurate, cost effective, low recoil, readily available rifles and ammunition, acceptable meat damage, good for fox and small deer.

.308 for large deer
Accurate at all ranges, plenty of ammo options, loads of rifle options, good for all deer and fox, recoil is easy to handle, home load options galore, loud enough bang!

 

[alun1960]

I will keep my tikka 243 just rebarreled 1.8 phoenix barrel in a pse very accurate roe and park culls . My sako 85 308 just works for me on fallow reds boar .

 

[Greener Jim]

Keep the 45-120 because it is terrific, and add .219 Zipper because I'm lacking a flatter vermin/small deer round.
Plus be nice to have a Scotland legal option.

 

[Brave Echo Niner]

.308 Win and .300 WSM - One gives me the flexibility of factory ammunition and good close range performance, the other is ideal for large deer and open ground.

 

[cjs66]

22/250 and a 7mm Rem Mag.

cjs

 

[HonestJohn]

.222 and 7x57 - why? You kidding!

 

[Dave_45]

22/250 and a 7mm Rem Mag.

cjs

Now I like this

 

[LeftHandGuy]

Is 357 legal for small deer? If so I would have one in a lever gun, and maybe a 308 for everything else. Both are forgiving to reload, or cheap to feed if reloading is not your thing. Neither will beat the snot out of you, both are plenty powerful enough.

 

[scoby270]

.223 and .270.

 

[Greener Jim]

Is 357 legal for small deer?

Sure is

 

[Jack3]

6.5CM and 30-06

 

[MAH]

2 calibres,

Hmm.
Tricky.
I have several rifles.
If pushed to reduce to two I'd keep:
1. The Tikka M55 .243, because it's practical.
2. The Weatherby 300 Weatherby Magnum, but cause of it's heritage.

I'd also canvas relentlessly for a 3rd, my Sako Finnfire 22lr. Because they are fabulous.
M

 

[Greener Jim]

2. The Weatherby 300 Weatherby Magnum, but cause of it's heritage.

Very interested in this one. What is it and what is it's heritage?
Don't happen to have any pictures do you?

 

[HonestJohn]

Now I like this

Speedhead

 

[Kalahari]

Hmm.
Tricky.
I have several rifles.
If pushed to reduce to two I'd keep:
1. The Tikka M55 .243, because it's practical.
2. The Weatherby 300 Weatherby Magnum, but cause of it's heritage.

I'd also canvas relentlessly for a 3rd, my Sako Finnfire 22lr. Because they are fabulous.
M

Because the 22LR isn't deer legal for any species it is outside the specifications of the poll so I guess you can keep it.

I did wonder about a 6.5 Grendel because it seems fun and a 7 x 64 because it is the best!

David.

 

[provarmint]

308w & 300nm, they work

 

[barbel]

not to be awkward, but happy with 308 for both, if not i would get another gun, have a 243 but us on Charlie.

 

[Baldman111]

Stuck in my ways as as one of the above posts,

.243 because I shoot well with it
.270 because I longed for one for ages and now I have one so won't change