Deer hunting BS thread

I just read a report dated April 11th seemingly saying primers were allowed now. They followed up saying that there are also no primer restrictions during modern firearm season. Regulations do state that primers designed for modern cartridges are now legal. One caution however…if you do go 209’s keep in mind that they are a rare find. I was lucky enough to find 2 packs of 100 a month ago at sportsman’s but it’s been months of non-availability before and now after. Musket caps are becoming hard to get as well. But I secured 1000 a while back from Grafs online.

 

First off, sorry if there's a more applicable thread.

So I'm looking to buy my first deer gun, currently the thinking is a Tikka T3x chambered in 7mm-08 for CA coastal blacktail, and maybe some stuff in Texas too. Should I consider any other calibers and/or rifles that y'all can think of? I'm trying to keep upfront rifle cost <1000$ if possible. I've been looking and it seems awfully difficult to find non-lead 7mm-08 these days So that also is under consideration and all. Thanks in advance.

 

6.5 Creedmoor is amazing, ammo may be easier to find too

 

.270

 

.243

 

Right, glad to see we're all on the same page

 

My youngest son hunts with the same gun in 7mm 08. It’s a shooter. Midway has some Underwood 142gr Lehigh lead free controlled chaos right now for…kills me to say it…$50 a box.

Oldest son hunts with a 243

Me I’m old school. Grew up in the Northern California coast hunting coastal black tails with a Marlin 30 30 or a 30 06.

Keep in mind that the 243 is a little light if you decide to go after larger game. This makes the 7mm 08 or 270/30-06 potentially a better choice because they give you more versatility. Just my opinion though.

Good luck

Stay Well…Stay Safe

 

I’ve got two Tikkas in 25-06 and I continuously go back to them over all my other hunting rifles. 270 is probably the best all around, do all rifle for North America. 6.5 needmores are a little under powered for my likings but maybe they just make these Washington blacktail and mule deer differently. 7mm-08 is a great caliber for deer also. It’s just a necked down .308. Same with a 25-06 and a 270, they are just necked down 30-06s. If you Like the 6.5 cal check out the 6.5 prc.

 

7mm08 is a great cartridge. For all North American hunting. My wife uses one for her ultra light mountain rifle.

Can’t help with your ammo choices though. Non lead ammo, in any cartridge, you are restricting yourself...

 

Just move the hell out of shit hole California haha

 

I understand why you would say that, but ultimately there is a lot more tying me to California than there is that would make me leave. It's wack I know, but it's what I (and many others) have to deal with. Your sentiment is definitely neither original nor helpful.

 

7mm-08 was the orginal beanfield rfile. Made popular in the south where hunters would set up on beanfields where 4-500 yard shots are common. Low recoil, phenomanel accuracy, plenty of thump down range for most NA animals. What's not to love. Plus it has the added benefit of NOT being a 6.5CM.

 

Lol shot fired

 

Ordered up a cva optima black nitrite today and scored me 1000 209s at the local reloading store.

 

Sweet. That is a nice gun and congrats on the 209 find

 

I don't know about CA, but ammo has been a little hard to find here in WV. But keep ammo price in consideration when purchasing a firearm.

I've been using a Ruger M77 Mark ii .270 for years now and I've never missed a deer. Ammo isn't too crazy either.

Winchester released a new gun a few years back called the 350 Legend and was designed almost specifically for deer hunting. I've really been contemplating getting one...lol.

https://youtu.be/PkfMrXCfIIg

 

I can get a couple more thousand if needed