Heading out to Wyoming for some open country mule deer hunting in October. Im having a hard time deciding which gun I want to take out there and get set up for future hunts, non have a bipod or BDC scopes. In my head im thinking go with light weight which pretty much says don't take the weatherby. Just looking for opinions. Here are my 3 options. 1- Weatherby 300 (killed a lot of whitetail with), 2-savage 243 model 110 ( was my first deer rifle and would need to be set up with better ammo than what I use to shoot in order to get the down range id prefer) but also killed a ton of deer with, 3- savage axis 22-250 (used in Wisconsin for yotes and really shoots nice and flat). I want to get shooting soon, I have good weatherby ammo, but the 243 or 22-250 options I would need to do some research and start over as far as ammo for deer. Also one last note, the weatherby I use for deer at home in Wisconsin for in woods shooting, more close range. Thanks for any advice or thoughts. Luke
What gun?
- Thread starter mustang8
- Start date
JimP
Administrator
I'd leave the 22-250 at home and take any of the others. While it is legal for deer there is too much room for err with the caliber.
The .243 or .300 Weatherby would be your best options.
The .243 or .300 Weatherby would be your best options.
I sort of agree, but it is by far the lightest and the flattest shooting of the 3 guns. But I totally agree with the lightweight of the bullets. I think the heaviest load is 60 gr. for the 22-250, but I haven't dove in too far yet. Im really considering the 243 because I never use it anymore. Pros are its light and accurate, cons are it has no drop clip.
Catahoula12
Very Active Member
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I would leave the .22-250 home, unless you want to shoot prairie dogs with it.
Which of the other 2 do you shoot best and are more comfortable with? What kind of optics are on them?
Both will do a great job...if you do your part.
Which of the other 2 do you shoot best and are more comfortable with? What kind of optics are on them?
Both will do a great job...if you do your part.
Yell Co AR Hunter
Very Active Member
For the out of state hunter is it a good idea to bring a back up rifle?
I have a savage 243 and plan to bring it for my back up rifle. It is a fine shooting rifle. I get 1 inch groups at 100 yards with a cool barrel. I like the Winchester 95 grain ballistic tips with the nickel case. I think 1 3/4 inches high at 100 yards puts you dead on at 200 yards and something like 6 inches low at 300 yards.
I chose the 243 due to the ballistics are almost the same as my Remington 270 rifle. The reason I went with the 270 is due to the additional 35 grains of bullet. The 243 bullet often does not get a pass through on whitetail so I would expect less of a chance on mule deer. Total pass through is important if tracking is needed. That being said we all know if properly placed it will due the job.
I have a savage 243 and plan to bring it for my back up rifle. It is a fine shooting rifle. I get 1 inch groups at 100 yards with a cool barrel. I like the Winchester 95 grain ballistic tips with the nickel case. I think 1 3/4 inches high at 100 yards puts you dead on at 200 yards and something like 6 inches low at 300 yards.
I chose the 243 due to the ballistics are almost the same as my Remington 270 rifle. The reason I went with the 270 is due to the additional 35 grains of bullet. The 243 bullet often does not get a pass through on whitetail so I would expect less of a chance on mule deer. Total pass through is important if tracking is needed. That being said we all know if properly placed it will due the job.
gonhunting247
Veteran member
- Jan 21, 2014
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Winchester
Veteran member
Recommend leaving the .22-250 home.
I'd take the .243 & .300 Weatherby ... one as primary and the other as backup.
I'd take the .243 & .300 Weatherby ... one as primary and the other as backup.
Well, ive killed a lot of deer with both, I prefer my 300 for woods hunting tho. Optics wise I have a leupold 3x9x40, and on the 243 im guessing a cheaper scope also 3x9.
Yell Co AR Hunter, ive also been checking out those same Winchester rounds, looks like my best option if I go that route for a gun. A hell of a lot better than the Remington corlokt bullets I shot thru it years ago!
^^^This^^^
No on the .22-250. You say you've killed a lot of deer with both the .300 and .243 so use whichever one you like best. No need to change ammo for either one of them.
6mm Remington
Very Active Member
That's what I would do also. I have killed a LOT of deer, antelope, and an elk with a 6mm Remington which we all know is essentially the same ballistics as the .243 with just a bit more pop. It's about 100-180 fps faster is all. Sounds like you have good loads and using excellent bullets in your 300 Weatherby so you don't really need any help there. I would suggest a couple different bullets for your .243. The 95 or 100 gr. Partition would be hard to beat and you will on most of your shot angles have exit holes on deer sized animals as they penetrate very well. The 90 gr. E-tip is a fine bullet also. My son has used that for several antelope, mule deer, and a nice large cow elk. IT works and it works very well! He had an exit wound on his cow which was one shot at 350 yards! The 90 gr. Accubond is a fantastic performer also. It will penetrate and hold together for you very well. I would try these three and shoot the one your rifle likes the best. These three bullets won't let you down.
David
JimP
Administrator
Jim, I totally agree but their down range drop compared to some of the 95 gr bullets with better technology is what im looking at. I had my 243 out in Montana about 8 years ago with the core lokts and did not like how they performed at all. Past 300 yds they really drop fast.
JimP
Administrator
If you look at a ballistic program and compare bullets grain for grain shooting the same velocity with the rifle sighted in at 100 yards they all start to take a drastic nose dive after 300 yards.
HuskyMusky
Veteran member
dan maule
Veteran member
Thanks guys, I think like most of you said I will take the 300 as a primary and get the 243 out with a better load and sight it in as a backup. Might as well get the dust out of the barrel. Thanks for all the tips and input, this is a great community of people helping people. Luke
firemanthornman
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