Soft shooting deer gun

[werner.reiche]

I agree with this.

I had a Ruger 77/44 and the recoil was approaching my bolt action 308. It was stouter then my 3030s for sure.

I think the easy answer to the OP is a 243. I have a Savage Model 10 in 243 and the recoil is quite light, but the gun itself is fairly heavy. That model would not be ideal for the OP

That would seem a bit strange. .44 mag in a rifle is not a heavy recoiling round. Definitely less than a .30-30 in the same rifle.
Unless you're using handloads or buffalo bore ammo.

[Fox]

That would seem a bit strange. .44 mag in a rifle is not a heavy recoiling round. Definitely less than a .30-30 in the same rifle.
Unless you're using handloads or buffalo bore ammo.

Ya, unless it was a 150gr 30-30 load, an overly heavy 44 mag and a light 308 the recoil of that 44 should be light compared to the 308 and less than the 3030.

[blasted_saber]

That would seem a bit strange. .44 mag in a rifle is not a heavy recoiling round. Definitely less than a .30-30 in the same rifle.
Unless you're using handloads or buffalo bore ammo.

Ya, unless it was a 150gr 30-30 load, an overly heavy 44 mag and a light 308 the recoil of that 44 should be light compared to the 308 and less than the 3030.

Not in that gun, shooting factory loaded 240gr soft points. The gun itself is light (5.25lbs if I remember correctly). Its a bolt action in 44 magnum. It is definitely heavier felt recoil then my Marlin or WInchester 3030 shooting standard 170gr soft points

Regardless, I think 243 is a better choice. The range limitations of 44magnum are significant. Id hate to have a young new hunter with a deer hung up at 150m. Easy shot for the 243, no go for the 44.

[Fox]

Not in that gun, shooting factory loaded 240gr soft points. The gun itself is light (5.25lbs if I remember correctly). Its a bolt action in 44 magnum. It is definitely heavier felt recoil then my Marlin or WInchester 3030 shooting standard 170gr soft points

Regardless, I think 243 is a better choice. The range limitations of 44magnum are significant. Id hate to have a young new hunter with a deer hung up at 150m. Easy shot for the 243, no go for the 44.

I agree that the 243 is more versatile for sure, a smallish hole for deer so with a fatty one you may have less of a blood trail but a dead deer with proper bullet placement and proper bullet.

Not denying you on the recoil of the 44 and 3030 but that is crazy to me, I want to get a light 44 now and compare myself. The weight of the gun has a big impact though too, and the fit to your body.

[werner.reiche]

Not in that gun, shooting factory loaded 240gr soft points. The gun itself is light (5.25lbs if I remember correctly). Its a bolt action in 44 magnum. It is definitely heavier felt recoil then my Marlin or WInchester 3030 shooting standard 170gr soft points

Regardless, I think 243 is a better choice. The range limitations of 44magnum are significant. Id hate to have a young new hunter with a deer hung up at 150m. Easy shot for the 243, no go for the 44.

That's why I asked if he planned to 'scope it. If you want a scope on it, go with the .243 - or similar.
Sight the .44 at 100 and you only need 6 inches of holdover at 150 - but the energy is below what I'd like.

[blasted_saber]

That's why I asked if he planned to 'scope it. If you want a scope on it, go with the .243 - or similar.
Sight the .44 at 100 and you only need 6 inches of holdover at 150 - but the energy is below what I'd like.

Mine wouldnt hold a group I was comfortable with past 100m (2.5"), with the best ammo I could find. Some stuff couldnt hold an effective group passed 75m. That's why I moved on from it eventually. That and it was filling the same niche as my 3030s.And the 3030s offer a bit more range, or even quite a bit more range if LeverEvolution bullets are used.

[canadaman30]

I agree that the 243 is more versatile for sure, a smallish hole for deer so with a fatty one you may have less of a blood trail but a dead deer with proper bullet placement and proper bullet.

There's nothing smallish about the holes they make in deer.

[blasted_saber]

There's nothing smallish about the holes they make in deer.

In my unscientific experience 243 makes a big ol' hole on exit. I guess the key is if it exits.

I guess the upside of 44mag is it makes a nice neat hole that you can eat right up to clean through a deer in a lot of cases.

[Gun Nut]

I guess my first question would be: Where are you planning on hunting? if it bushy terrain the .44 mag might be a better choice, If its open country I'd say the .243 Win. I killed my first deer with the .243 Win with 100 grain soft point, at 75 yards it was an open country shot I tried it again in a bushy area, I was about 100 yards from a 10 pointer, the .243 just couldn't make through all the twigs that got in the way. So that is when I switch to a bigger diameter bullet that had some bushy bucking ability.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut

[warningshot]

wife has 308 micro browning and loves it