smaller rifles are better under 500 yards

[RioBlanco]

Well, I used my $450 Savage 6.5 creedmoor, with a $125 Nikon prostaff 3-9x50, one shot with 140 grain Sierra gameking, so I like it as much as my old swedish that I got so many animals with.

[Ernie]

Short action cartridges based off any of these parent cases: 250 Savage, 6.5 Creed, or 308 will do the job at 500 yards on deer if the shooter knows what he/she is doing. The limitation is not the cartridge, as much as it is the user. Of course, the weapon has to have certain accuracy levels for 500 yards, but most of your modern rifles (not all) are capable. The other unknown is conditions. Terrible wind conditions can shut anything down. Hunting or shooting at distance is a systems approach, of which the user is a very important part.

[Ernie]

Just goofing
https://youtu.be/V6RkHKbPVZc
https://youtu.be/NaSxBs6rwtw
This 284 Winchester center-grip XP-100 has the rifle performance of a 7-08.
Just playing around with a bi-pod and small field bag.
You will see wind get me at 600 yards (10" steel).
That is why you practice in wind!

[RioBlanco]

Oh, I forgot to mention, 270 yards

[RioBlanco]

I got a 6x5 bull elk with my swedish at 290 yards, with a 140 grain soft point.

[rock rat]

Nice 4x. I didn't put in for deer during 4th like I usually do. From what I've seen of things around Meeker everything looks long distance. Some of the nicest folks in CO.

[RioBlanco]

A 30.06 is my largest caliber ( high fps rifle anyway), so I don't miss anything I have never shot, as in large cartridge rifles.
I have been toying with the idea of getting a 300 wsm.

[RioBlanco]

Thanks Rock Rat, and most people are nice here, I agree

[RioBlanco]

I traded the hide in for a tanned one the same size, and did a euro mount skull

[Ernie]

A 30.06 is my largest caliber ( high fps rifle anyway), so I don't miss anything I have never shot, as in large cartridge rifles.
I have been toying with the idea of getting a 300 wsm.

the 300 Wizzum is a great cartridge

[CD2]

Was thinking of a long range bolt rig..........and what did I do today?
Snag an old Rem 14 in .35 rem.
Not gonna pay premium for a peep.
Might have an adapter made for some other Williams.

I'll run my 760 w Leupold 4X as my primary buck slayer next yr.
The iron sighted 14 for antlerless.

[Sarge01]

A 30.06 is my largest caliber ( high fps rifle anyway), so I don't miss anything I have never shot, as in large cartridge rifles.
I have been toying with the idea of getting a 300 wsm.

I have had a 300WSM since they ere introduced on the market. I have tried just about every caliber there is and the 300WSM outshines them all. I shoot 165 grain Nosler Accubond bullets and RL-19 powder. The only other rifle I have for deer hunting is a .308 one of the most underated rounds on the market. My 300WSM is a Sako A7 one of the finest rifles that I have owned in my lifetime and that has probably been 150 rifles.

[Old_Sarge]

I have to agree that you don’t necessarily need a big caliber bullet to punch a deers ticket. There a lot of good calibers out there that aren’t the rage or hot new thing that will definitely work with less recoil and won’t put a strain on your pockets. Not knocking any of the newbie on the market right now like the 6.5CM, 224 Valkyrie, or 350 Legend. I feel like they all have there place and can drop a deer stone cold dead. With the Technology we have today to manufacture premium ammunition made from premium bullets calibers like the 6mm Rem, 250 Savage, 257 Roberts, 243, 233( where legal to hunt deer with) 35 Rem all are great calibers for deer and kept to about 300 yards they will have a deer doing the boogaloo if you hit it in the vitals. Even though I shoot some heavy hitters like the 338 Federal, 257 Wby Mag, 35 Whelen, 7mm Rem Mag I wouldn’t think twice about grabbing my daughters savage Axis 243 or my sons Savage model 16 250 savage to go smoke any deer I set my crosshairs on.

[Ontario Honker Hunter]

Rio: Stick with your 30-06. The 300 WSM is a meat mangler at closer ranges. Also, if you plan to stay less than 200 yards, I would shoot 180 gr through that '06 for deer. If you feel the need to stretch the range, go with 165 specialty bullets but keep an eye on the velocity if close shots are a possibility. This year I shot a large gemsbuck on the fly at very close range (15 yards and then 12 yards) with '06 165 gr Nosler handloads (medium velocity according to the book). Neither shot did extensive damage ... except to the gemsbuck's heart. I saw the skinners working on her and was surprised that neither bullet appeared to exit and very little damage on entry. First bullet hit her head on through chest just left of centre and the second hit square in her right shoulder. PH thought the first shot was fatal but I didn't want to take a chance ... of getting killed. Gemsbuck are nasty critters.

One bullet was recovered and given to me later. Entire front of partition was missing. I have no idea which bullet. I also shot an impala at 280 metres (306 yards) with the same ammo. Dropped flat with a shot through the heart.

Don't know how much damage was done to meat. Then this fall I dropped a big muley buck on the fly, again with one shot through the heart. He fell over instantly. That was Barnes TSX 165 gr. Hard to evaluate performance as buck was only 65-70 yards and no bones were hit.

I suspect the Barnes bullets may be somewhat more damaging but the shop was out of Nosler.