Ingo

Hope we get some of your luck. Congratulations! Sitting out in 22 hoping to get lucky. Only does so far.

Yeah, I know. If we're looking at 400 yards we'll set up the .260. I just thought the .223 with a good bullet would be plenty for a Coues at 200. It's just such an accurate gun I know she could easily put one in the heart with it at 200 and wouldn't have to even think about recoil.

I'd always thought this way to until people had told me that they do ok with modern hunting bullets with .223. I'm probably going to set her up with my .243 and a low-fireball load. I like shooting slower powders with almost every bullet I load for .243 but usually there's a huge muzzle blast because of that. That'll give someone a flinch real quick. Probably do an 85-95gr bullet.

Thanks. Good real world experience. That deer you shot at 300 was with the 55 tsx?

I'm one, self-masochistic SOB. Yeah... For the right rifle anything's possible. I know they are durable. Put an arrow through a nice one in a bad spot a few years ago and I'm pretty sure he lived to see another season.

My wife and I have Coues tags for the Nov 6-12 season and it will be her first deer hunt. She has shot rifles many times, is proficient, and I DO have a youth model .243 M70 that she can use BUT... I have a Savage .223 1:9 twist 20" barrel that is a dam laser beam. Taking any recoil or flinch impulse out of the equation sounds attractive to me. With a bullet like the Barnes 55gr TTSX I'm thinking she's golden to 200 yards and may be good for a careful shot at 300? Otherwise, I'll probably be carrying a heavy .260Rem so she'll have no problem shooting that if we have anything further. What you guys think?

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'm probably going to try either the Hornady 100gr Interlock BTSP or the Sierra GK 100gr BTSP. Looking at the numbers I think these bullets will work well inside of 500 yards. Now I just have to find some time to load and shoot. Have a new baby at home and spare time is nonexistent. I have about 20lbs of assorted powders to try with RL-17, A4350, IMR-4831, being the best fits in my war chest. Wish I had some slower burners but I'm going to try what I have first. Thanks again, everyone.

I'm not much of a rifle hunter but I drew a coues tag this year in unit 24a. I have a 7RemMag and a .243 Win as options to take with me. The .243 just shoots a lot better so I figured it would be fine. I've really only loaded coyote ammo for it in the past and with 70gr Nosler BTs or 87gr Hornady V-Max I have achieved sub-MOA in the .7-.8" average range at 100 yards. The rifle is a 1:10" twist Winchester M70 with a 22" barrel. The 7Mag is a 2MOA gun no matter what I load for it. I'm really kicking myself because I've had a project gun in .260Rem that has been in need of a bit of gunsmith work for the past several years but life has been in the way. It's got a 26" Shilen Select-Match barrel 1:8" twist. I was going to have it done before this hunt but it's too late at this point. The old standbys like the Sierra 85gr HPBT, the Sierra 100 grain GK and such might be where I start but I know there are a ton of newer bullets that I have no experience with. Anyone have any suggestions?

Or if you really hate your arrows, Eurasian doves.

He did shoot them. They're very similar and whatever is chosen will be a winner. They're both great bows. Can't beat a former TOTL bow with a new-bow warranty for $450. I would get the Hammer even though I like the HD cams a little more.

The Hammer was a renamed Evo 7. It's a great bow but the Evo cams are slightly harsher than the Drive-family cams. Basically, the Drive-type cams are like a single cam with matching eccentric shaped string tracks. The bottom cable track is a cam and the top cable track is round. This is supposed to give single-cam smoothness along with the increased speed, efficiency, and the level nock travel of a hybrid cam. I've heard a few people say the Source HD can tune faster than a Decree HD, is just as smooth, and feels practically the same. That said, I have seen Hammers go used for like $350 with new premium strings. At that price it's hard to beat.

I've shot the Bear Attitude, I really like the bow for the price. But i had it maxed out 32" with no other room for adjustments. It just felt like it was a little short. Nice bow otherwise.The Bear is a great beginner bow, FO SHO. The PSE Freak SP is the best long-draw bow out there PERIOD. I want one and I'm only a 30" draw. Keep your eyes peeled for a used one on archery talk. I think a PSE Vendetta XL goes 32" but I can't remember.

60 yards. A few days ago.

I have a scale tattooed on the side of my index finger that lets me get within +/- 2yds. You guys should try it...

I know the OP already got a bow but I wanted to mention Corner Archery. They have been very good to me over the years and for bow work they charge very little. I see people bring bows they just bought at Cabelas in their and they will happily set everything up for the most reasonable prices that I'm aware of. One of the big reasons I like to support Corner is their youth archery programs and JOAD. If you're ever there on a Saturday morning you can see the waves and waves of kids they train. I've never had even a hint of condescension or arrogance from the owner Rhonda and the staff shooters have all been very nice, as well.