I'm thinking of a second coues deer rifle that doubles as a long-range varmint gun. So far, I've been looking at 3 calibers: 243, 25-06 and .260 Rem. Any thoughts on these calibers? Also anyone out there have opinions on the Savage 12BVSS (aside from it's 10 pound weight)? Of the calibers I mentioned, this rifle is only avaialable in the .240.

For those of you not familiar with Coues deer, they are small white tailed deer that live in the deserts of the SW and generally require long, cross-canyon shots.

Thanks,
Jason

Although I'm a BIG fan of the .25-06 I'd say go with the .243. Much better long range varmint rifle due to a better range of varmint bullets available and less recoil. Lawdog

I have a 25-06 which I use for shots over 200 meters.
Normally use it on Thar,Chamios and on wallabies.
If wind could be a factor go with the 25-06.

milosmate

A .243 with 100 grain or maybe even 80 grain partitions.

My brother was a 25-06 fan and killed more deer ayt long range than the average dozen deer hunters. Handloaded to it's potential it's an awsome round.

If your capable, for those 400 and farther shots(on small deer), I'd rather be shooting a 25/06 than the other two mentioned.

It's my deer medicine.

25-06 or 6.5x55 SE.

not yet mentioned but as good and more efficient than the 25/06-
257RobertsAI - with a 100gn MatchKing

[ 08-19-2003, 08:40: Message edited by: CaptJack ]

so why not 25/06AI?

I really don't think you will find many flies on any caliber smaller than 270 for what you are looking for.

I am partial to the 6mm Remington after working with it, over the 243. However, that does not mean there is a thing wrong with a 243.

I am also partial to the 260. I think it will do whatever a 25/06 will do for a handloader and with a larger selection of bullets.

Dr. Lou recommending the 6.5 x 55 or the 257 Roberts are also winners. Heck and so is the lowly old 250 Savage. All can give you a 90 to 100 grain bullet screaming at 3100 plus fps.
The 6.5's and the 254 cals can up this to a 120 grainer, which are flat shooting.

Heck, you have 10 choices and none of them are wrong in any way. Have fun. The rest of life should be ' just' this complicated.

I think the 6.5 in any flavor is a great dual purpose round. A bit heavy for varmints, but almost perfect for small deer & antelope to 400yds. The .25-06 would give you a bit more reach, buch much of the same. The .243 is a great varmint cart., but I have never trusted it as a deer rig unless your shots are close.

AZOnecam, I'm not familiar with coues but I am with the terrain they are hunted in, like most of the others, I would opt for the 25-06.

I'll vote for the 257 Roberts, mostly because that's what I'd like to get myself. In narrowing it down, the Roberts has beaten the 243Win, 250Sav and 25-06. Just seems like the ideal balance to me.

I find that my 6mm rem is absolutely perfect for our small roe deer up to 300yds (furthest I will shoot at a 6" square vital area). A 90gr ballistic tip is launched as fast as a 100gr out of a 25-06 with a lot less powder, recoil and noise. I think the relative BCs are .37 vs .39 which really means nothing. I think I get a better sight picture due to reduced muzzle flip and recoil than I would with the 25-06 and I certainly don't need any more killing power.

400yards means that a switch in wind is going to really screw things up. Canyons or valleys mean that there are few visual clues. Here BC and MV rule. If forced to shoot like this I would be looking for a 7RM and a slippery hunting bullet such as the 150gr swift scirocco not because of killing power but purely to beat the wind.

Im really liking my 257 AI that I got about a month ago. It is easily clocking 100 grn bullets at 25-06 velocities with less powder, accuracy is also looking real good so far but I havent had a lot of range time yet. I hope to do some load development this weekend with 115 grn BTs for mulies in Oct. and when the snow flies itll be seeking coyotes and red fox every chance I get..

I agree that it is a near perfect ballance between the best choices for that puropse. Its also nearly identical to the excellent wildcat 257/284.

I have a 240 Weatherby Mag that I think would do exactly what you are looking for. I built mine off of a Model 77 Ruger, and I love it.

If you handload, you might consider the 250 Savage. Before you laugh let me tell you that this has become my "go to" rifle hands down.

I have a 25-06 and love it but its not my favorite.

Because,

I push 75gr. VMAX's at 3300 fps. in the 250. This is one of the finest varmint bullets made and the trajectory is amazingly flat. Ask around and then try it you won't be sorry.

For deer I use 100gr. or 115gr. Nosler Partitions, many other deer weight. 257's work as well but the Paritions are just what I use.

My rifle is a Rem. 600 with a 21" Shilen SS and a Leupold Vari X III 2.5-8x36.

AZonecam--You didn't mention what type varmint shooting. If you mean an occasional coyote or some such,a deer rifle that doubles as a varmint rifle would be ok. If you are talking about all day or all night shooting(shoot lots of jackrabbits here at night)I'd say get a second rifle for the varmints. Too much recoil and blast for this type shooting. I'd not want to be in a pickup(that's how we usually shoot the jackrabbits)with me or someone else shooting one. Exception to this is by using cast bullets,you can tame them down. Then you have the problem of resighting them,or worse it's not sighted in for what you wil be shoting when you need it. Of your choices,I like the .243, has worked well for my grandson and me on whitetails. This will start some flames,but in my opinion the 25-06 was a fine answer when there was no question. The .257 Roberts is a dandy round. What does a 25-06 offer that a .270 doesn't do better? Recoil and blast of a 25-06 with a 120 grain bullet is right there with the recoil and blast of a .270 with 130 grain--what did you gain with the 25-06?

AZonecam,
I'm going to go against the grain here, and will probably get some flak for it, but why not a 22/250. It'll drop any deer regardless of size. I use 55gr.Sierra in a 22/250ACKLEY IMPROVED,with any well placed shot, they drop, as one poster puts it, TITS UP.
And you have a varmint gun in the off season.
Stepchild
Parker Ackley used to hunt Elk with a .220 Swift,with homemade bullets, of course.
Try it and you'll like it, and no recoil to speak of either.

what about the 223 or 243wssm?
anybody tried these yet?

I love the 25-06, it hits them like a lightning bolt. I've dropped a few deer at an honest 500 +- yds with one shot from mine. With 87gn HPs it is explosive on rockchucks and pidgeons.

Let me just say... I LOVE THIS SITE. Thanks all for the great and informative feedback. Still not sure which way I'll be going on this, kinda depends on what happens with my big wby.