Desert Rat

This year will be my first coues hunt, had a tag last year but was out of state at the time of my hunt. Wondering thoughts as to what to use for southern unit early Nov. Coues hunt. 308, 243 or 6.5CM? These are 3 that I own and debating which one to bring as my primary rifle.

I went with the Weatherby Vanguard Series 2. I thought about the Howa, but didn't like the heavy stock, although I would love a heavy stock like that on my Tikka. The Nikko scope on the Howa would have been ripped off eventually anyway. As appealing as the Ruger American was pricewise, the bolt action just seemed clunky. The Remington 700adl was $90 cheaper with a scope, but it's a throwaway scope and the Weatherby I thought was worth the extra $90. I moved my 4x12-40 Vortex Diamondback from my 300wsm to the 243 for now until I buy another scope.

Picked up a .243 today. Figured I would move the scope over from the 300wsm for the time being.... didn't buy scope rings and.... The tikka rings are Tikka specific. So much for gething to the range at 7 tomorrow.

6.5 Grendel can reach out. Not think it best if you are looking for 500yrd+ shots on game all the time due to it's lower muzzle velocity. But 400-500yrds on deer would be ok, there are a number of great medium game bullets in the 100-129gr range thta perform very well. It has taken Elk @ 400yrds. the round itself is capable of reaching out a mile reliably and consistently due to it's high BC bullets Then there is also 6.5creedmore, or 6.5swede for that matter for higher velocities. Grendel I know is just a real nice mellow shooter, something you can shoot al day and not feal beat up. Leading to better familiarity with weapon and performance which leads to better shots on game. I built up an AR in 6.5grendel and IT shoots sub .6MOA as long as I am doing my part and that was with a budget barrel and factory 123G Amax ammo. Don't let the size and #'s fool you, the 6.5 bullet is a great performer even if the # on paper do not make it look like it is to some. Europeans been using it (6.5x55) for their big game for over a century. Funny you mention the 6.5 Grendel, as I recently picked up a stripped lower I am debating building either a 300blkout pistol or a 6.5 Grendel rifle out of as my next project gun. For this hunt, since I already have the 300wsm and 7mm-08 in the safe, I think I am looking to add either a 243, 25-06 or 257 Roberts to the mix. I think the 257 Roberts will be out of the running due to factory ammo availability. At one point I was looking at the 280 and 260, ammo availability ruled those out as well. I do have a single stage press that I use for handgun ammo, I have not ventured into reloading rifle ammo, but this close to a hunt, and with hopefully a new rifle, I would rather stick to factory ammo for now.

I think my biggest problem with the 300wsm is the almost 31lbs of kick that i have to deal with, as it is a Tikka T3 Lite. I bought it before shooting one to replace my 270, as its not like I have access to tons of rifles in all calibers to try like some on here seem to post as a possibility. I ask the question to get opinions since i cant shoot every caliber before i buy, to see what others use. I have only shot a 300wsm, 270, 7mm mag, 30-30, 22-250 and 5.56/223.... so its not like i have shot a ton of calibers either. Yeah, the 300wsm may be able to fill my tag with a marginal 500 yard shot, but i would rather wait for a 300 yard shot that i know i can ethically make, with a rifle i enjoy shooting and practicing with. The 300wsm comes out of the safe, fire a couple rounds at the range to check it is still on zero, and back in the safe it goes. Maybe if i had a heavier rifle i would enjoy it more, but 31 lbs of kick per Chuck Hawks evaluation on this make/model/caliber is just plain unpleasent. If you get a thrill out of having a 30lb sledge hammer smacking your shoulder more power to you...... but thats not my idea of a good time. Plus like i said in the first post.... its a reason for me to get another gun with the wifes approval. You can tell the single vs the married guys on here.... the single guys are the ones sayin just to shoot the 300wsm..... the married guys are the ones actually providing suggestions....

I was considering the 260, but ammo is really hit and miss when i looked.

What is a good deer rifle is not necessarily a good elk rifle, and a good elk rifle is not necessarily a good deer rifle. Big difference between a 100lb white tail and a bull elk that quarters out at over 400lbs And i know shot placement is key being an archery hunter, just haven't rifle hunted deer much.

I honestly just don't enjoy shooting it. I have gotten Elk with it and can reliably hit my target within standard hunting range (I have not gotten into long range shooting yet), but for a coues size animal I assume that I don't need to abuse my shoulder..... and lets face it, since my wife isn't on here i can openly say I want to use this as an excuse that I "need" a new rifle.

So, my wife and i both got drawn for unit 21 whitetail tags, which i know nothing about asi have never spent time in this unit, but from what I gather is fairly wide open, but hilly, terrain. My current hunting rifles are a 300wsm and a 7mm-08 that my wife has started shooting and claims as hers. Looking to grab a new rifle for this hunt as the 300wsm is overkill for this hunt, and lets face it, its not the gun you pull when you want go go target shooting on a Sunday. I am trying to decide on a 308, or buying a 243 in hopes my wife will let go of the 7mm. I had a 270 previously, but want something new. I would like something with a decent selection of factory ammo choices that would be available at most sporting goods stores. I am open to other suggestions as well. What would be a good gun for this hunt, but something that you would want to shoot more than proving it is sighted in for a hunt and putting it back in the safe?

My wife and I both got drawn for our 2nd choice hunt, only problem is the only time I gave been to unit 21 was an off ramp for the highway to head west. LOL To make it better.... this is my wife's first time hunting! Just gotta hope she doesn't shoot me instead of the deer!

Posted! 1080 unit 21

My bonus points just updated.... but still no tag shown Bonus points (as of 7/23/2015)

I think he's referring to the "You have applications/tags available" message. Which I read as applications and\or tags. In which case, is true. I assume that if you are seeing this you got an elk/antelope tag, as I got skunked for an elk tag, but CC got hit for deer and do not see this message.

Look at the website address in his screen shot. He stumbled on a developer page that has not yet been published.

Got my Euro mount back last night.