I have watched a lot of videos and decided to join the community. I bought my first Bregara because of backfire tv (7MM PRC) and love it. But I am looking for something a little less recoil for local deer hunting in NC. I saw the video on the 22 Creedmoor and think it would be a great rifle but no one around here (Coastal NC) sells Horizon Rifles. Is that everyone’s recommendationfor a good local deer hun with low recoil.
Welcome
For typical NC deer at typical NC ranges, the easy button is a 6.5 CM. Huge variety of rifles available, huge variety of ammo available in just about any store you’ll walk in to. Plenty-capable in terms of effectiveness at our ranges. Light recoil.
You could also look at 243 Win or 6mm CM.
My personal favorite is the 7mm-08. Killed plenty of NC deer with that one. Yet again, light recoil and easy to shoot.
I’ve also had good experiences with 25-06 and 308
1 Like
Thanks. Have you ever tried the 22 cm that Jim says is one of the best deer guns with low recoil?
No, never seen one anywhere around at a gun store near me.
I think it’s a neat round.
I’m going to hold off purchasing on one until it’s become a little more established, more companies make ammo, Etc. I jumped in early with the 7 PRC, and that was not particularly fun back when it was tough to find specific ammo or components.
Edit:
I should add that I know plenty of people who shoot NC deer with a 22-250 with good results. So 22 Creedmoor should work well.
If you really want a 22cm you could do it. Get a Ruger American gen 2 or the original and get a barrel from ODIN Works Login.
So with that option you will have an bit over $1100 into the gun in my case as the Ruger was $600 and the barrel is $400 and to get it installed was $125. I have not shot it at anything other then a target yet but so far seems to be accurate and what I was hoping for. Hopefully will get to try it on some coyotes this winter and next year will deer hunt with it is the plan.
I really, really like the .22 CM and will probably build one at some point. However, many states do not allow hunting of big game with .22 caliber rifles. In your situation, I agree with Carter, the 6.5 CM is very hard to beat.
1 Like
You need to confirm but as i read it you cannot hunt deer with a 22 cal rifle in NC. 6 mm creed is .243 and very accurate or 6.5 creed. I am trying out the 6 mm arc but would keep it to 300 yards for deer.
My last whitetail buck was taken with my Savage 110 .243 and the dude ran about 30-40 feet and dropped. That Myth video Jim made kind of explains the awesomeness of the .243 without mentioning the round. Speed kills. My rifle loves the Hornady Superformance 95gr, 3185ft/sec at the muzzle. Does incredible damage. I am am fan of the round, especially for deer.
2 Likes
7mm-08 is my favorite for whitetail.
2 Likes
That’s the SST bullet?
Never had a chance to connect with one of those on game yet. My 25-06 likes them.
1 Like
That’s correct
1 Like
I hunt coastal NC (Northampton county) and my 6.5 PRC is the best thing i have ever used. Absolutely love it. It gives your a little bit flatter trajectory than the creedmoor with very little increase in recoil I shoot mine with a suppressor and deer never leave my scope when I shot it. I have shot 10 deer with mine over the last 2 seasons and have yet to have one move. All kills have been from ranges of 50-450 yards.
2 Likes
What bullet are you using?
Last year I was using a 156 eol berger and it shot great this year I went with a 143 eld-x and have not had any issues with it both of them had no trouble killing. The only reason I swapped over to the 143’s was because I reload for some of my buddies and that is what there gun shot best.
1 Like
Look 22 creed is just too new and exclusive/expensive to be a reasonable choice for most people right now. It’s cool, but it’s not that cool. There would be no measurable difference hunting anywhere in the east (or even midwest where I am) between that and say a .243 win. or 6mm creed.
Also if you live in these places you have other fun options too like getting a lever action in 357 or 44 mag, or a 30-30, etc. At close distances these re a ton of fun, also!
1 Like
I hunt a lot of northern GA and I can’t beat my 308.
1 Like
Well,
308 win
7-08
6.5 Creedmoor
All are good. I shoot a lot of 125 grain bullets in 308 and the recoil really drops down. Shot 2 this year with 125 Nosler Ballistic tips, 1 at 515 and 1 at 560. Shot another at 300 with a 155 AMAX…no running, no tracking, so it works.
I would think the 7-08 with the 140 Sierra TGK and a .545 bc would be a great round for whitetail.
Good luck
1 Like
Yep, of the PRCs the 6.5 is a neat round. Really hard to beat if you want to whack a whitetail at distance. Fellow I know bought one of the Begara’s, he put a Vortex mil reticle scope on it and asked me if I could shoot it some with him as he was familiar with the MOA adjustments. Shooting that round is fun and for me is a good comparison to shooting my 7 Rem Mag with 140 grain bullets. The 6.5 PRC gives you the step up in performance without the long action weight, recoil, and ease of reloading a non-belted round if you do that stuff.
Same with the 7-08. I’ve shot a lot of deer with the 120 TTSX, and it’s performed admirally. And little to no recoil to speak of at all.
Now that season is over I’m currently starting a load development with a 140 vld Berger , jut to see how the Bergers perform. While it’s still is certainly manageable, The Recoil is definitely higher with that 140 over the 120.