I am contemplating a new deer rifle in a low recoil caliber. I am thinking if a nice full stocked bolt action or a ruger #1. I am tring to decide on a caliber first.

I currently have a 7x57 mauser I am building up but have no problem with one in a Ruger single shot too.

criteria:
1)Good ammo selections
2)Ease of getting components

Other caliber suggestions are welcome and encouraged.

Question:
What would you choose for a low recoil caliber with the above criteria? And Why?

Choices:
257 Roberts
6.5x55
7x57
7mm-08
270 wsm (A huntin buddy raves about his)

 

since you already have a 7x57 (a very good choice), i'll recommend the 6.5x55mm. very "shootable," great internal and external ballistics from the chamber to the off-side of the animal and universally available components.

what more could one want?

257 Roberts.
I went down from a 7x57 to the Roberts and am very happy I did.

Don

I like the 6mmRem

7mm-08 Remington Model seven stainless synthetic

I have one and will probably give it to my son as he shot his first deer with. Then I will have a reason to buy myself a new one!

Hard choice for me but I voted for the .257 Roberts (see my recent post in Small rifles). I also have a 6.5x55 that I really like as well but it is fairly close to a 7x57 as far as bullet weight choices.
Can't go wrong with either!
A Ruger full stock carbine in 257 Bob would be sweet as it gets in my opinion or one of Rugers Ultra Lights in 257 ( my ol' lady has one). Hers can shoot .5" three shot groups with Sierra 100 grain SPBT's and 41 grains of IMR-4064 which is a great little load and very light recoil, mine is shooting 117 grain Sierra SPBT's with 41.5 grains of IMR-4350 very well.
Good luck on your choices if you stick with the 257 or the 6.5 you won't be disappointed.

I have a 7mm RM, and after shooting a 7mm-08, I wish I would've went with that.

If I were to buy a new caliber, it would be 6.5x55 or 7mm08. I have friends that shoot both and love them.

By far, adequate killing power at reasonable ranges and light recoil-----the Roberts, One better would be the 250-3000. Of course this type performance can be had by slightly down loading that Roberts. None of the other choices offer anything better. roger

30-30
Hasn't that killed the most deer???
Low recoil
Ruger #1 or lever action
Components and ammo galore.
Use pointy bullets in a ruger #1

Hornady Leverrevolution ammo or hotloads in a ruger #1 should be good for small deer to 300 yards.

Have fun.

quote:

Originally posted by Riodot:
I am contemplating a new deer rifle in a low recoil caliber. I am thinking if a nice full stocked bolt action or a ruger #1. I am tring to decide on a caliber first.

I currently have a 7x57 mauser I am building up but have no problem with one in a Ruger single shot too.

criteria:
1)Good ammo selections
2)Ease of getting components

Other caliber suggestions are welcome and encouraged.

Riodot,

They all work. Pick one and be happy with it.

I see neck and neck voting for the 6.5 X 55 and the .257 Roberts and it's interesting as they're nearly equal cartridges.....with 120 grain bullets they're neck and neck!

I voted for the 6.5 X 55 as it will handle somewhat heavier bullets. It's among the finest deer rounds available today.

First off, I can see no reason to build a no.1 in a short action caliber. In other words, what do you gain building a .270 WSM over a .270 WBY or 7Mag in a single shot. Same applies to a 7-08 and 7x57. The only reason to build a 7-08 is to use a shorter lighter action, in a single shot this is moot. The only choices are 7x57 and 6.5x55 from the choices you list.

i am a roberts guy.
you could just buy the hawkey or the RL.
Its a lot of fun and recoil is nill...tj3006

Have a 260 in a low wall which is fun to carry. However I hunt a 30-40 krag in a #3 a good bit.

since ruger makes the 7mm in the #1 why not go with that???????????????????????????????????????????????

or a 30-30

quote:

Originally posted by jstevens:
First off, I can see no reason to build a no.1 in a short action caliber. In other words, what do you gain building a .270 WSM over a .270 WBY or 7Mag in a single shot. Same applies to a 7-08 and 7x57. The only reason to build a 7-08 is to use a shorter lighter action, in a single shot this is moot. The only choices are 7x57 and 6.5x55 from the choices you list.

What you gain, is the difference in OAL, added to 'effective barrel length' all things equal, which IS irrelevant.

That said, I built a custom 6BR on a Ruger #1, and it shoots very well, mild recoil (which is why many use smaller rounds anyway, say 7/08 vs 7mag, more of a 'shootability issue' rather than what you gain) sometimes less is more, more probability of hitting what you aim at.

If I were doing a custom say chosing a single shot in 260 vs 6.5x55, my first variable would be brass choice, ammo offerings might be an issue with some, but a longer cartridge true enough has little disadvantage when used in a single shot, if you need the performance and accept the higher recoil and shorter barrel life.

For me the 7x57 and 6.5x55 are very mild rounds as most know and would always get the nod over ones which are overbore and not needed for my type of shooting and hunting.

Carne, had a 243 Low Wall, shot extremely well, carried very well, but it was a tad light, which was not too bad, older son killed first deer around 300 yds w/85 BTHP, dropped right there too! Wish they mfg those actions again in a few more choices.

.243 winchester, don't believe the nay sayers its kills just fine.

If you intend to make your light deer rifle a bolt gun, it also depends what action is going to be available to you. E.g. a short M700 is better suited to calibers such as .243 Win, .260 Rem, 7mm-08 etc. A Roberts *can* be fit to a M700 SA, but there is not a lot of room, the 6.5x55 really needs a longer action - in particular if you intend to take advantage of the heavier bullets.

- mike

BTW, I just sold a #1 RSI, the 20" barreled model with full mannlicher stock, in 243. With good bullets placed well, it should be a good choice as well if you like full stocks, mine shot .6-.8" moa, meaning groups 1.25-1.75 at 200 yds. Any miss would have been my fault, never did....knock on wood.

Many love the 7x57, I'd say if they shot the 243, they'd really like how nice it was.

Never owned a 250 savage....yet, but if that were in the RSI, I might not could help myself to one........Ruger you listening?

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
30-30
Hasn't that killed the most deer???
Low recoil
Ruger #1 or lever action
Components and ammo galore.
Use pointy bullets in a ruger #1

Hornady Leverrevolution ammo or hotloads in a ruger #1 should be good for small deer to 300 yards.

Have fun.

I have one - it was my first deer rifle and I still take it out ever once in a while.

I need to try those Leverevolutions though.

my vote went to the 7-08... i had 1 in a rechambered xp100... it shot great, with hornady #2845 162 gr boolits....i had a king tube sight on it.... i wanted a rifle in that caliber, just got bit by the big-bore bug before it happened...... low recoil, lots of great-performing bullets to choose from....my second choice would be the 6.5x55.... in a short barreled mannlicher carbine...

I´m all for the 6.5x55 AND I base this on experience: So far I´ve shot about 20 whitetails with it, the majority being one shot kills, crows, foxes and the kids hunted impala with it in SA. I use Lapua Mega bullets and moderate velocities.

Lets see, you are building a 7x57 which normally uses bullets from 120gr to 175gr.
You want lighter recoil in a nice light carrying rifle, so less bullet weight, or very little overlap is needed.
The .257 Roberts with 87 to 120gr bullets provides minimal overlap and is on the basic 57mm case.
Think about it two cartridges on the same basic case for a "set." 7x57 and .257 Roberts.

6.5BR

Not to start an argument, but do you think a 1/2 in or so increase in effective barrel length is a big deal? I don't, have seen too many with an inch less barrel that were faster.

I voted for the 257 Roberts for the exact same reasons Prof242 stated.

All your doing is replecating. The 7x57 is about the ultimate in light caliber rifles.

I suppose a 250-3000 would be my next step down, but I voted for the .257 Robts.

I think your going the wrong direction! Go up and get better killing power, the old 06 is a wonderful round..

The 7X57mm is NOT a low-recoil caliber, unless you download it significantly. You can do the same thing with a .30/'06!

IF you really want a very effective, low-recoil deer cartridge, use the 6mm Rem., the .250 Savage, the .257 Roberts, or any of the small-case 6.5mm's. There's nothing wrong with the .243 Win., either. But I prefer the former three.....

quote:

Originally posted by El Deguello:
The 7X57mm is NOT a low-recoil caliber, unless you download it significantly. You can do the same thing with a .30/'06!

IF you really want a very effective, low-recoil deer cartridge, use the 6mm Rem., the .250 Savage, the .257 Roberts, or any of the small-case 6.5mm's. There's nothing wrong with the .243 Win., either. But I prefer the former three.....

I'm 6'5" and 310lbs...To me a 7x57 is a low recoil cartridge. But then again, so is my Dad's 30-06. Maybe I'm looking at this all wrong.

I voted 7-08 because of ammo selection. I interpreted that as good selection of factory ammo. I find 7-08 to be far more available than 7X57. I prefer 7X57 and if it were me, that is what I would get.

TerryR

All of your listed options are good cartridges.

My own selection for deer size animals would be a plain vanilla .250 Savage, shooting Nosler Partition bullets from a 26" or longer tube on a Ruger No. 1.

Not only no noticeable recoil, but little if any muzzle blast to speak of either, and still a reasonable overall rifle length for just about any environment.

With today's escalating component prices, will also work just fine with ordinary Speer, Hornady, Sierra, et. al., bullets, a little powder, and standard (not magnum) primers.

I know Rugers are not commonly available in that chambering and configuration, but as we are not looking for a benchrest competitive rifle here, I figger maybe this use is why
God invented outfits like Douglass,Shaw, etc., and gun shows at which to buy used rifles for rebarreling.

I wouln't consider the .270 WSM low-recoil either, IMO. If you want low recoil, stick to small bore, small bullet non-magnums.

I've hunted with, and own, 30-30, 257 Bob, 6.5x55, 7mm-08, 270, 280, 30-06. I try not to be prejudiced.

The 7mm-08 is purely and simply the best whitetail deer caliber that was ever invented. Bar none. In my not-really-so-humble opinion.

I'm currently infatuated with the 6.5x55 and now own two. I love this caliber, but it's not perfect, as the 7mm08 is.

I love all those calibers, and they are truly truly great, but they aren't perfect, like the 7mm-08 is.

Surely no one could disagree with this.

I voted for the 6.5x55 since I just purchased a great looking CZ 550 full stock in that exact caliber. Can't wait to get it back from the gunsmith in time to thump a few deer.

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
By far, adequate killing power at reasonable ranges and light recoil-----the Roberts, One better would be the 250-3000. Of course this type performance can be had by slightly down loading that Roberts. None of the other choices offer anything better. roger

Two grear choices.

JPK

Why not consider the 6mm BR? Graf has the brass, it has less recoil than anything listed and more than enough pop for deer, and bloody accurate to boot. In a nice, light Model 7 with a trim 20-22" barrel it makes a great carry gun.

243 win - most any problems, if they exist, are usually the fault of the shooter. a 243 win with a good 100gr bullet in the hands of one who actually knows how to shoot will easily take any deer alive.

I voted for the Roberts. I own three of them, so I don't have to tell you I think it's a great cartridge. Having said that, I think the difference between your choices is in bullet capability, and a longish 6.5 or heavy 7 offers much more than the quarterbore is capable of, so I tend to want to place them in another class. It goes without saying that both sides of this equation offer more than the 270 clan is capable of providing, so the 270s are not a valid choice in my book. Not that a 270 won't kill, it will, but it won't do it without substantially more blast then the other choices.
We all know the 243 Winchester is a run away success, but having reloaded scads of them as well as the 257, the quarterbore Roberts remains a favorite of mine.

I would have chose the 6.5x55 but one of your criteria is ammo selection and availability thus making the 7-08 my choice. Lou

Riodot,

The lowest felt recoil of any light deer rifle that I have seen is the Kimber 84M. There is no real secret as to why the recoil seems so light. Its the thick soft Decelerator recoil pad and the straight stock that resists rising up and making the comb hit your face.

A custom stock can replicate what the Kimber does and you can use your Mauser action, 7mm bbl and get it with a cool 'Mannlicher' stock.

You mentioned components so you must handload. Just load down some using a fast burning powder. Recoil formulas say to use the powder weight X 150% so keep the weight down with a fast powder. IMR's 3031 is outstanding for this. About 40 grs should be good with the 120 gr.

I have had a couple of 270 WSM's and a 7mm WSM and I like them but they kick and blast pretty good. You don't need one unless the ranges are very long. Get closer with that full stock.