adequate coues rifle

[Guest Guest_shiras]

Cw forum,

I done a lot of reading on preferences on adequate coues rifles. It seems Boddigton prefers the mags to standard calibers, but I just have a hard time believing one needs THAT much power. Here in Oklahoma I have shot 1 deer over 100 yards, everything elsehas been under 50. I hunt with a 30-06 and even more with a marlin 1894 .44 carbine. Being out west is a whole new ball game, I know. I've seen where some people say the '06 doesnt make a good long range rifle simply b/c of it's drop. I don't question its power, just range.

Practice is absolute paramount I know, but I feel that a mag may be overdoing it. A low recoil rifle like a .243, .260, 25-06 is what is more appealing to me, just b/c I'm not going to be worried about being blasted into next week when and if a shot of a lifetime comes.

In your opinions, is the '06 adequate? Is a mag too much? Is a 400 yard shot a PROBABLE scenario? Are the lesser calibers I mentioned adequate and are there others you would recommend? Any other info. on your own hunting experiences or preferences are greatly appreciated. (Then maybe again, I may just be looking for a reason to justify buying a new gun;).-Shiras

[stanley]

Shiras:

 

I am far (VERY FAR!) from being an expert, but I would say that the .06 is definitely adequate.

 

In my opinion, it mainly comes down to the shooters ability, with any gun! I own a .7MM Mag, and a .308. I missed a shot at just under 300yds last season with my .7MM, and have since re-committed myself to becoming a better shot. While spending time at the range, I have realized that I tend to flinch more with my .7MM, for obvious reasons (The sucker is like a cannon compared to the .308...). This is impacting my ability to shoot accurately with the big gun. The .308 on the other hand, is much 'tamer', and I tend to flinch much less.

 

Based on this, I am actually thinking about going back to my .308 for next season.

 

Bottom line; In my opinion, unless you really want a new gun (which I can certainly understand.... ), I would spend my money on ammo & time at the range. Bullet drop doesn't matter as much as ENERGY does! The .06 should still have plenty of that, at that range...

 

Finally, as far as a 400yd shot being a 'probable' scenario? That depends on you! How good are you at stalking in closer? Sure is nice to know you can hit & kill one out that far if you need to though.

 

Good luck & have fun!

 

S.

 

:-)

 

PS: Does anyone have any tips for helping me rid myself of 'shooters flinch'? I'm anticipating the recoil too much!!! Help!!!!!

[TAM]

I think it would be very wise to be prepared for, and expect shots at coues deer in the 300 - 400 yard range. If they are less than that then good for you. Coues live in some rough and steep country and it is very common to not be able to get less than 300 - 400 yards (sometimes more). I think that many people prefer to shoot the large caliber magnums for there "flat shooting" abilities not necessarily for there "knock down" power. It does not take a big magnum rifle to kill a coues, it just takes a well placed bullet. For some that means shooting a big flat shooting magnums so you can gain extra yardage in your comfortable shooting range. All of the calibers you spoke of are fine for coues including the .30-06. Of the calibers you mentioned I like the .25-06. My personal coues gun is a .270 weatherby mag. I know it's a magnum but kicks about the same as a 7mm and it shoots a 130 grain bullet at over 3,500 fps at the muzzle! I feel comfortable shooting this gun at deer size critters out to 600 yards. Deer rifles are just like the Ford vs. Chevy debate that has gone on for years and years. We all have our opinions.

 

By the way if your just trying to justify a new rifle, anything is a good excuse for that .

[TAM]

Stanley,

 

The best way I know of to get rid of your shooters flinch is to let someone else load your rifle when you are practicing. In other words turn away when your buddy loads the rifle. Your buddy may or may not put a round in the chamber. When you pull the trigger you don't know if the rifle will go off or not. This way you can really practice on squeezing the trigger. If you find you are really jumping when there is no round in the chamber then keeping working at it. Also take your time between shots and maybe shoot fewer rounds. I've found that when I'm tired and my shoulder is getting a little tender it's better to stop than to continue shooting with bad form.

[coues addict]

Shiras

I don`t think You will have any problems with Your 06. I don`t know if you hand load or not , but I would try to find bullets from 110 grain to 130 grain range. I personally shoot a .270 and its plenty good out to 400+ yards. I sight in 3'' high @100yds. Most of the time it is not that difficult to get within 400 yards of a Coues buck. In my experiences most shots are in the 200 to 300 yard range, sometimes closer. I know several people that have made much longer shots, but thats not the norm. The 25 -06 is also an excelent Coues rifle, but I wouldn`t go out and buy one unless you just really want to. My son has harvested several Coues bucks with his .243 and it works just fine, one was out there really far, like 600 to 800 yards. It was an amazing shot and we did not have a range finder. But it took a lot of shots to range in on that Buck. As for the 1894 Marlin, I would leave that guy in Oklahoma, but, I am not worth a toot with open sights. well thats my 2 cents worth,and I hope it helps, Good Luck Coues addict

[Guest Ernesto C]

There are different calibers that will do the job on a coues. The legendary 30-06 is one of them and like I mentioned before when is about hunting there is no such a thing as overkilling so if you chose the magnum calibers there is nothing wrong with that.

In my personal opinion the 30-06 is great for you because you already know your rifle;you must expect shots from 100 to/up to 400 yds, so you must practice and know where you bullet will hit at 100,200,250,300 up to where you know you will be able to shoot. You must find out what you are capable to do with your rifle.

 

Also remember that shot placement is critical so once again pratice,practice and keep practicing because you dont want to miss your dream buck.

 

God Bless You.

 

Ernesto C.

[KGAINES]

I also think that whatever you are shooting you should be comfortable with, I think your money might be better spent on good binos and a tripod.(I also need these items)If you do not have the book HOW TO HUNT COUES DEER you might want to order that also because it covers about everything you might need to know. I wish you the best of luck, and I would bet that the group you are asking on this forum will have an answer to just about every question you ask. GOOD LUCK

[rugerman]

I've taken coues with the .06 and 7 mag and both did a great job. My 7 has the BOSS so recoil is tamed significantly. Last year I took my .243 #1 with 95 gr for deer and a couple of 55 gr in case I saw a coati. Glassed up both, got neither. Great time anyway!

[bullwidgeon]

If it doesnt kick like a mule and is not as loud as a Banshee then it is not a bonfide coues gun. Just ask the experts .

 

All kidding aside, anything will work, alot of deer bigger than I will ever kill have been killed with rockchucking Winchester Model 94's in 30-30 caliber. Dam*ed near anything is a step up (balistically) from that .

 

Bret M.

Edited January 1, 1970 by bullwidgeon

[Guest giladad]

300-400 yrd shots are very possible on big coues bucks. Here are my criteria. 100-140 grain bullets, (I prefer NBT's) going at least 3100 fps. Preferably faster. That's why guys use mags. I use a Browning 7mmWSM w/ Lupy 6.5-20x50mm, w/ bipod. Must shoot at least 1MOA for those ranges. Your 30-06 will do 3200-3400 with 125 gn. NBT's. M.H.

[Elmacho]

I have used a 7mm rem mag for about 10yrs. When I started, I was in better physical condition to tolerate the recoil, but since I only weigh 150lbs and now have a tendon problem in my shoulder, I developed a bad flinch.

 

I finally put a muzzle brake on the rifle because I love the caliber. It has similar recoil to my .243. I think it kicks less than a 25-06, as I shot both one day to compare. No flinch now.

 

Result: Last year shot a little buck at 300 yds even. I was 3 inches off my aim point, but the Coues buck didn't know that. He was tasty. Use Factory loads too.

 

El Macho

[firstcoueswas80]

i personally use a remington 30-06. this gun topped with a good scope(leupold 3.5-10x50) shooting handloaded hot 125 grain bullets by my grandpa and i. this gun has taken the lives of 2 coues deer, one at 400 yards, one at less than 100. if you practice a lot with your gun and know where it shoots at what ranges then u will be ok. i reccomend not only shooting a lot from a bench but also taking your rifle out in the field and shoot at targets at both known and un known(guesstimated) ranges.as far as a magnum being over kill, like ernesto said theres no such thing. my dad shoots a 7mm ULTRA mag, this is a great gun for coues because it shoots so flat and carries knock down power so well and far.

casey

[Rembrant]

I've been using a 243 for coues deer for about a decade. Carries well, shoots easy, and knocks down everything it hits. I named her "Sweetness". With 85 grainers, it's flatter shooting than the 7 mag. Yep, I worry a little about wind, but that hasn't goofed me up yet. Got a bi-pod that I don't shoot off of unless I have to (rocks don't wobble). I use the bi-pod for setting the rifle down countless times in rugged country. Killed 4 bucks at 400 yds or better - with a 4x scope. This is as much confession as brag. Can't even see the deer behind the crosshairs, yet this is a good illustration of the tremendous accuracy of ol' "Sweetness". Keep her zeroed at 300. She kills deer at close ranges too! Broke down and bought her a 3x12 Luepold last year and then didn't get drawn. Am really lookin' forward to seeing the new regs. And besides that, I'm really lookin' forward to seeing the new regs.

Mike

[nontypical]

I think you need to use the gun that you feel most comfortable with and have the most confidence in. It needs to be able to shoot no more than 1MOA due to the possible distances you may be shooting in most Coues deer country. My Coues last year was shot at 426 yards with my 7mm STW. I have other guns that I could have used, but my confidence is in the STW.