Just curious, what do most British stalkers use nowadays for Roe, Fallow and Red? I'm guessing 243 is fairly common. On average do you use mostly American cartridges (270 etc), or European, or a mixture?

Also, what makes of rifles for the average Joe are popular? Do you still see mostly wood stocked rifles or are synthetics making it on to the ground?

I use exclusively .25-06 on all the Deer I stalk. A very effective calibre, never required a second shot. I did own a .270 but sold the rifle as the woodwork was too good to get messed up crawling through the areas in which I stalk in. That too was a great calibre, with a somewhat undeserved reputation in the UK. I am currently in the process of putting together a stalking rifle in 6.5x284 as a project.
In answer to the second part of your post, all my rifles are synthetic stocks, either Mcmillan or H S Precision. You see all the main manufacturers being used here, mainly Tikka, Sako and Remington and occasional Mannlicher. Winchesters are less common.

South of Scotland 243 would be the head and shoulders winner. Once you get onto reds especialy stags then most professionals are unhappy with their clients using 243.

270 has suffered a bit recently probably at the hands of 25-06 and the resurgence in 6.5x55 due in no small part to the deer officer at BASC shooting one (6.5x55) and allowing lots of people to shoot it when on the range at the level 1 course.

308 is also popular, 30-06 generaly much less so.

Rifles used would be Sako, Tikka, Blaser, Mannlicher Winchester, Remington for new.

Other metrics are likely to be in the hands of the discerning few....

1894,
be careful of what you say! the current deer officer for BASC does not own a 6.5x55, and never has done, up until yesterday that was!!!
His predecessor might of done, and what you infer might disturb the water at the local firearms licencing office!!!

Griff

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