My Two Chamberings For Anything Deer Related In The UK!

As has been said before calibre is in many ways immaterial. More important is the style of rifle, type of sights and other accessories. If I am shooting at 200 yard type distances on smaller targets, out comes my 243 Heym SR20 with its straight classic style stock and a 4-12x50 swarovski. Its comfortable to shoot prone and its balance allows gives the stability for such a shot. My 7x57 Rigby currently has a 1.25-4 with a post reticle scope - I set it up for driven boar. Its good for shorter ranges, but I passed up a shot on a Roe buck the other evening that would have been easy enough with the 243. At 150 the thick post reticle covered most of the front quarters. I have shot Roe and Foxes with my 7x65R combination gun out to 160 yds. It wears a 6x42 scope, but its a seated or standing shot type weapon, rather than comfortable shooting prone (can't get away from the scope). It is a fast handling light gun and shoots well enough but has its limitations. It now has a second rifle barrel so will be ideal for shorter range and wild boar where two quick shots are useful.

And more important is choice of bullet - take the 7x57 - a 123 grain V-Max turns it into a flat shooting fox rifle, but use a tough 173gn bullet and it will do the job on a buffalo or elephant (albeit not legally nowadays). Ditto for 6.5x55, 270, 308 etc
 
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243 75g BT in the head for anything shot from a high seat/stable platform

308 150g soft point heart shot for anything shot walk and stalk

Yes I am that boring :D
 
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