Pro Hunter caliber question?

[grumps]

I'm looking at getting a Pro Hunter in January but not sure which cal.  Most of the southern  states allow any centerfire for deer now.   I for sure want something that will be good for deer but also will varmit hunt with it.  On the ballistics table that I have it looks like the standard 243 has a slight nod over a 22-250 out to 500 yards and the 204 ruger looks good too.  I'd rather have a WSSM but T/C isn't going to have one  it doesn't look like.  SOooo, 204 ruger,  22-250, 243, 25-06, or 308, is kinda sorta what Ive narrowd it down to

[majorKAP]

Shooting deer with a 32 or a 40gr.  pill of .2"caliber would, in my worthless opinion, be just be wrong. Eliminate the 204Ruger from your consideration...unless you want a dedicated vermin barrel.  My opinion of the fast-stepping 22's used for deer, is only slightly less negative.  I imagine a few posters will readily chastise me.  I stand by it nonetheless.

The 243 is a really useful cartridge for dual-purpose usage.  The ammo choices are plentiful, and can be game specific.  The 25-06 is a wonderful, flat-shooting caliber, great for long-range varminting and or deer.  I personally would give it the nod, if'n I was stuck with a choice of only one barrel.

Although the venerable .308 is a fantastic all-arounder, the extra bit of recoil, even though only moderate, could be a factor to some.

Just my $.02, based on actual field experience, not the latest magazine article.

Incidentally.....500 yards is much, much too far for them all.  That is, of course, unless you're special or something.

[grumps]

500 yards isn't what I'd be shooting, it's just a guage for determining the flatest trajectory.  I can't see well enough even with 10X to shoot that far.  Another factor for me in deciding is resale if I decide I want something else.  22-250 doesn't do well for resale around here.  243, and 25-06 are however.  Looks like one of those would be good choice.

[Redhawk1]

You are in the right train of thought, I would get either the 243 or the 25-06.  Both will serve your needs well.

[Davemuzz]

You are in the right train of thought, I would get either the 243 or the 25-06.  Both will serve your needs well.

Yeah, what he said.

[Encore28]

Shooting deer with a 32 or a 40gr.  pill of .2"caliber would, in my worthless opinion, be just be wrong. Eliminate the 204Ruger from your consideration...unless you want a dedicated vermin barrel.  My opinion of the fast-stepping 22's used for deer, is only slightly less negative.  I imagine a few posters will readily chastise me.  I stand by it nonetheless.

The 243 is a really useful cartridge for dual-purpose usage.  The ammo choices are plentiful, and can be game specific.  The 25-06 is a wonderful, flat-shooting caliber, great for long-range varminting and or deer.  I personally would give it the nod, if'n I was stuck with a choice of only one barrel.

Although the venerable .308 is a fantastic all-arounder, the extra bit of recoil, even though only moderate, could be a factor to some.

Just my $.02, based on actual field experience, not the latest magazine article.






Great advice----I agree 100%

[BrianM]

I've seen it put this way before : "If you want a deer rifle that you will sometimes use for varmints , go with the 25-06 ." "If you want a varmint rifle that you will sometimes use for deer , go with the .243." I would personally choose the 25-06 for for what you are intending to do . That's just my opinion though .