Down sizing

[muddydog]

I've noticed as I get older that I enjoy shooting smaller caliber guns now. I've always held true to a 30.06 or 270. In my hunting pistols the 308 encore or ruger 44 was always present. Now my primary hunting guns are the glock 10 mm paired with either a old 243 or a new ruger 300 blk..just curious if anyone else has finally realized you don't have to shoot the bigger guns to get it done.

[oktx]

My parents bought me a 30-06 when I was 15. My dad said I could hunt anything in North America with it if I ever had the chance. It's a Remington 700 and its awful to shoot. I now have a Rem 700 in 243, which I never shoot unless it's yotes.

[Fcasthtr]

I've noticed as I get older that I enjoy shooting smaller caliber guns now. I've always held true to a 30.06 or 270. In my hunting pistols the 308 encore or ruger 44 was always present. Now my primary hunting guns are the glock 10 mm paired with either a old 243 or a new ruger 300 blk..just curious if anyone else has finally realized you don't have to shoot the bigger guns to get it done.

I shoot a 243 and I've dropped every deer I've shot with it. I don't see a need for anything bigger when shooting deer honestly.

[muddydog]

I shoot a 243 and I've dropped every deer I've shot with it. I don't see a need for anything bigger when shooting deer honestly.

My thoughts exactly... The 243 is a very good caliber but it has the stigma attached that it is a " kids" or " women's " gun. It's effective to 300 yds and very accurate and flat shooting.

[muddydog]

For the record my 243 is the rifle that I carried on my first solo deer hunt at 11 years old and I dropped 2 does with it on that hunt. I'm 52 now and this gun shoots 3/4" groups @ 100 every time!

[saintsfan]

I picked up a .243 this year after shooting a 7 Mag for a long time. Went 2 for 2. Dropping a good whitetail in his tracks with a neck shot, then killing a good muley with it although it took two shots.

[Mike D]

Yep.

My 300 blackout and 22-250 are my favorite deer/pig guns. Biggest I shoot on a regular basis is 260 Remington and occasionally 308.

[STex]

I've noticed as I get older that I enjoy shooting smaller caliber guns now. I've always held true to a 30.06 or 270. In my hunting pistols the 308 encore or ruger 44 was always present. Now my primary hunting guns are the glock 10 mm paired with either a old 243 or a new ruger 300 blk..just curious if anyone else has finally realized you don't have to shoot the bigger guns to get it done.

I'm right with you Buddy. Over the last 20 years, I went from 30-06 to 25-06, and now currently my go to rifles are 300BO for deer, 223 for pigs mainly, and 22 hornet for scouting. Suppressor is used on the 300 and 223. So smaller and quiet is my normal for guns.

My favorite of all is to use my Heli M.......let's not loose the plot of this show!!

[randal]

I hunted with a 22-25 for 20 years and now I shoot a bigger gun due to power and longer distances..

[wanderin39]

I cut the stock added pad to my 7mm mag this year.

[Fcasthtr]

My thoughts exactly... The 243 is a very good caliber but it has the stigma attached that it is a " kids" or " women's " gun. It's effective to 300 yds and very accurate and flat shooting.

That's what I like the most about it. I think because it's a smaller bullet but has a huge punch behind it is really what makes it great. I just put it right behind the shoulder and watch them drop

[muddydog]

I hunted with a 22-25 for 20 years and now I shoot a bigger gun due to power and longer distances..

The 22-250 works great on Texas deer. I used one to take probably 15 deer.....never took a step, each one experienced lightning bolt strikes. It will however destroy alot of meat.

[randal]

The 22-250 works great on Texas deer. I used one to take probably 15 deer.....never took a step, each one experienced lightning bolt strikes. It will however destroy alot of meat.

Agreed but the 22-250 only has like 600ish pounds at 500 yards.. and I know not a lot of people won't be shooting that far but I've had to do it before.. If I go to a stand that I can't shoot more than a couple hundred I'll take the 250 sometimes

[muddydog]

Yes....I agree there are limitations on smaller guns. You have to know your limits. Just like bowhunting. You may be able to hit a target at 100 paces, but it ain't necessarily ethical for a animal. I personally have a different limit for each weapon I carry. Rifle, pistol or recurve bow.

[snipermedic]

30-06 exceeds factory 300wm so no need for 300wm unless going above 208gr.