Which effective deer caliber offers the LEAST kick...

[DonaldBabbett]

...in a bolt-action rifle?


My vote goes for .243 Win. and there's an all-weather Sako 85 Finnlight with this chambering offering. I have never fired a gun in .243 but have read about hunters who have. It seems to be the mildest but still quite effective center-fire deer caliber for bolt guns.

I have fired a Browning A-Bolt II in .25-06 and it was virtually recoilless with its BOSS option but hard on the eardrums. Scoped at 100 yards on the bench, and with factory trigger, it consistently kept within 1 MOA.

I have fired a Ruger in .257 Roberts and that hurt a little on the shoulder and it was shooting all over the place at 100 yards even with a scope.

I have fired a Swedish Husqvarna .308 sans recoil pad and that was pure pain on the shoulder! The tighter the gun was held to the shoulder, the worse it seemed to have kicked. With iron sights, I could not hit the side of a barn with it at 100 yards.

The Sako rifle I fancy will have nothing on the barrel like the Browning's exclusive BOSS to tame kick but will have a recoil pad.


PS: I might also consider the Weatherby Vanguard Weatherguard for less than HALF the price than that OPULENT Sako!
Whole host of calibers too like the Sako: .243, .25-06, 6.50 Creedmore, 7mm-08, etc.
A whole bunch cheaper than Finnish-made guns but it's still a WEATHERBY!

[socal147]

[Divernhunter]

The ruger in 257R must not have had a recoil pad for it to bother you.
I would get a 257R or one of the 6.5 cartridges LONG before I would use a 243.

[Air]

I personally think 25.06 is one of the best all around Deer Cartridges that is pleasant to shoot, I can't imagine 257 Roberts being much different? I'm a big fan the Quarter Bore thing, so I'm biased. I could be wrong, but I think 25.06 has a slight velocity advantage over 257Roberts?

7x57 Mauser maybe? Never shot one, but I hear they are quite pleasant to shoot. Probably thumps a bit more than 25.06 or Bob though...it is the parent case of Bob I believe?

6.5 Swede is another good one...

[Kokopelli]

Another option is to choose a rifle that you like, in a common caliber, and shoot some reduced recoil ammo in it.

https://www.remington.com/ammunition/centerfire-rifle/managed-recoil

[Deedle]

Depending on local laws, 223 might be an option if you're patient and a good shot.

[PoorRichRichard]

You are on the right track with .243 and 25-06. As stated above, 7-08 is also worth investigating.

I know I'll catch crap for this, but .223 is a decent deer round if you are a good shot, as well as a patient hunter....of which many deer hunters are neither. Savage makes a great little light .223 bolt gun (the Axis II), which can be had for under $400.

[kblack583]

That Sako in 243 is more than adequate for the needs you specified.

[ChuckDizzle]

.223 is fine depending on distance and shot placement. Also look into 7.52x39, .300 AAC, or 30-30.

Intermediate cartridges rock.

[Sutcliffe]

.243 is minimum for deer

Not my favorite. But, place your shot where it needs to be and, it will anchor deer with no problem.

[Divehobo]

Earlier this week, I asked a hunting guide the same question as in process of getting a hunting rifle for one of my kids. He said 243 and 25-06 would both work great. 243 would get through high school, a few years more with the 25-06, likely through college. Either rifle would be good starter and able to hand down to their kids.

Guide carried a 243 short barrel brush gun and said decent amount of recoil due to barrel length being 18" and since most of his hunting lands are wide open, he has his 11 yr old shooting a 25-06

[Divehobo]

Scott at Coyote Point suggested 7mm-08 would work also

[Jimmy's]

Anything below 308.

[superdave50]

Anything below 308.

define that

[Jimmy's]

Just as it says really but not only caliber choice is the correct answer. Stock configuration, recoil pad play a huge roll as well. I had a 250 savage that kicked a like a 7mm08 due to the stock and steel plate. After stock replacement it was more in line with a mild 243.