one deer rifle

[njc110381]

If you shoot mainly the smaller three species, keep the 6.5. If you shoot mainly the bigger three, keep the .308.

 

[cjm1066]

How many members on SD, that's the number of options this thread will generate.

 

[rem284]

Depends on reloaded or factory ammo. Also range

Factory ammo, check supplies and cost but stick with the common ones. 308, 270, 6.5cm

Reloading yourself then consider 6.5-284, 284

Then there's a bit of a middle ground where you can probably get factory but it will be best to reload for. 6.5prc, 7mm prc, 7-08

 

[Island]

Anything in 6.5mm, 7mm or .30cal according to your fancy.

Chambering will be down to your specific choice but, in the spirit of such threads, anything other than 7x64 is just wrong...

 

[Andy RV]

I wouldn’t worry about it, you’ll never end up with just one deer rifle!

 

[big ears]

If it’s one rifle then you need to think style.

.275 Rigby.

 

[25 Sharps]

Guys
what would be the best all round calibre for all species of uk deer i’m running a 222, 243, 6.5 x 55 and 308 at the moment


will keep the 222. but possibly looking to go to one calibre for all and as it’s looming and will shoot well with copper

cheers
phil

The mighty .280 Remington (just because I’ve got one, plus 3 of the others on your list )

 

[Klenchblaize]

35 Whelen as rats grow huge on the Hoo Peninsula.

K

 

[Foxyboy43]

I have both the .308 and the 6.5x 55 and highly rate both. Not much in it for me but if pushed I would keep the 6.5 because of the lower recoil and the resultant ability to see bullet strike on the quarry. Assuming you hit it of course…..

 

[Tazz]

270

 

[Keith Edmunds]

If it’s one rifle then you need to think style.

.275 Rigby.

I like your thought process.............But........At the other end of scale of tradition and history.....The 6.5 CM does a bloody good job.

 

[ejg]

Depends on reloaded or factory ammo. Also range

Factory ammo, check supplies and cost but stick with the common ones. 308, 270, 6.5cm

Reloading yourself then consider 6.5-284, 284

Then there's a bit of a middle ground where you can probably get factory but it will be best to reload for. 6.5prc, 7mm prc, 7-08

Isn't Lapua dropping or has dropped the 284 ? replaced with 6.5PRC.
edi

 

[hw101]

They all work very well when the bullet is placed correctly.
Pick the rifle you like that you can feed.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

How many members on SD, that's the number of options this thread will generate.

Not sure about that. My opinions keep changing especially as I digest the SD insights....
Merry Christmas.
JCS

 

[Overlay]

35 Whelen as rats grow huge on the Hoo Peninsula.

K

plenty of ducks out there as well

 

[Overlay]

how about using a .264
friend of mine is using one on fallow to good effect

 

[NickJ]

I traded in 3 rifles for the came reason about ten years ago, went for 6.5x55 and never regretted it.

If you use factory ammo 6.5 Creedmoor might just edge it now

 

[Selous]

I’m going to chuck a spanner in and say it depends on the ground that you shoot over rather than the species. If you stalk woodland then the standard calibres of 6.5x55, Creed or .308 are excellent but if you stalk open ground where shots often extend to several hundred metres then there is only one true cartridge… the 7mm Remington Magnum truly an excellent chambering regardless of species

 

[Overlay]

I traded in 3 rifles for the came reason about ten years ago, went for 6.5x55 and never regretted it.

If you use factory ammo 6.5 Creedmoor might just edge it now

i’m using 140 SP in my 6.5 c 55 and it’s really accurate it sure knocks em over, started out with 120 grn but picked a bit of damage on fallow hence the changer to 140

 

[Deermanagement]

Having used and still using many calibres, 243, 6.5 Cr, 270, 30.06, and seen may clients and colleagues using all the other calibres, I think I know what I’d stick to if I had to shoot one, the 6.5 Cr.

There’s nothing not to like about it. I can shoot big Dorset Sika stags at any range I choose, can shoot roe or muntjac with the same bullet without any excessive damage, short action using little powder, high BC bullet choice, minimal recoil, very accurate.

As I said, nothing not to like.