I am planning on buying an Encore Pistol soon, and hope to get some input on the 'best' Eastern White-tailed deer hunting caliber for 0-300 yd. shots.

I plan on handloading all ammo, but prefer to stay away from calibers requiring extensive case forming. I'm not afraid to spend the time required to get loads producing 1/2" 100 yd. groups.

I am leaning towards the .243 in a 15" barrel - the bullet selection and velocities/trajectories/energies look pretty good.

Any thoughts from the masses would be appreciated.

I would suggest the 15" 308 winchester Barrel I hunted with mine this year after shooting it most of the summer and took a nice 10 point buck with it this fall. I shoot 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips and use a 2.5X8 Leupold. I shot this Deer at approx 150 yards shooting off of shooting Stix. I would recommend that what ever caliber you select to shoot it allot at various ranges from shooting stix or a good rest. I plan to install a Harris bipod on mine this year and try to practice allot of hunting type conditions and stay away from the bench rest. Good luck on Whatever caliber you select.

If it were me I would go with a .260, 7mm-08, or .308win, favoring the 7mm-08. Exspecially in a short barreled pistol you have to appreciate the Hi BC'S of the 7mm bullet class. (for instance check out the ballistics on a 140gr 7mm Nosler BT at 2500fps Muzzle Velocity.) The ability to start off slower and keep velocity down range will pay off more so than with a rifle. I wouldn't go with the .243 for a 300 yard rig, and yes I used to own one and would gladly again. Just not for what you described.

7mm-08 or 308.

I hate to be repetitive, but you couldn't miss with a barrel in .260. 7-08, or .308.

My pick would be the 260 - more than enough power & trajectory for your needs.

I suspect that either the 129 Hornady Spire Point Interlock or 129 SST would be all you need for deer out to 300 in the 260 Rem.

BigIron

From factory choices I would choose the 260 Remington. If I was going custom I would go with a 25-284 or the 6.5 284. The 25-284 would give the rifle ballistics of a 25-08 (25 souper) and the 6.5-284 will give you approximately 260 Remington rifle performance. Of course the 6mm-284 gives you about hte same as 243 Win. in a rifle. If 300 yards is the max, probably the 260 remington is the best choice. I have a 260 Remington, have used a 7mm-08 for a number of years, and am waiting currently for a 6.5-284.
good luck in whatever you choose.
xphunter

Put me down as a fourth "Aye" for the 260 Rem. From a 15" barrel, I can get 2650 fps with the 120 NBT, trajectory and energy right there with a 243Win rifle to 300 yards....

Regards, Bill

I don�t know what your hunting laws say, but I can�t use any of the calibers mentioned legally. So I plan on getting a custom 16.24� 45-70 heavy barrel. Should be a good rifle and a good pistol, but recoil might be a problem if you don�t want to reload.