Caliber and best factory rifle for Whitetail deer - NC

[Bill28]

Thanks, yes the 6.5 CM would be a good option. I don't know a lot about the 25-06, but need to look at it. Any ideas on a good semi-custom factory rifle? That Bergara HMR Pro or the Seekins PH2 are looking mighty good to me. Thanks for the help so far.

I have a Bergara HMR in 6.5 CM, very accurate, low recoil and I've shot mine over 3500 times still shoots great

 

[NCgagehunt]

Have you seen any 6.5 PRC ammo available? I know I was considering getting one, but I've hardly even been able to find brass or dies for it. Not that that's ever stopped me from buying a rifle, since things seem to eventually pop up. The 6.5 Creedmoor could possibly be the most popular cartridge there is right now and that fact has ammo showing up on shelves more than most other calibers, it also has it disappearing from the same shelves faster than anything else. It'd almost be wise to go look at what you can get your hands on, maybe it's more of an oddball, but if you can shoot it it's better than a rifle that you can't shoot. I've personally been lucky enough to find brass, bullets, and powders for the guns I have. It might be a good idea to get on waitlists for websites that sell the ammo, see what comes in and what doesn't that might make your mind up for you.

I have seen some online, but it's very expensive when it's available. 6.5 CM seems to be more available, even in local gun stores up to this point.

 

[Pegga]

I'm looking at the Seekins PH2 or one of the Bergara's for a deer hunting rifle. I'm open to other manufacturers as well, these two just seem to be highly reviewed. I'm leaning towards a 6.5 PRC, but a 7mm magnum might be more practical for ammo availability. I have a 7mm magnum and it's a great caliber for hunting, just though a short action might be good to have for a change. I'm a hold over shooter, I don't need to do MOA adjustments for 1000 yards for anything. Normally I shoot from 100-500 yards. I'd say 250-300 yards would be more normal. I appreciate any suggestions on caliber or manufacturer. Rifle weight doesn't matter much because I just carry the gun to a box stand, maybe walk 500-600 yards. I also do not want a muzzle break, bad on the ears when hunting. So recoil might come in to play for caliber selection, or maybe a heavier rifle. Thanks for any help.

I'm in Mississippi and several rifles I use but one of my favorite rifle is the 257 weatherby. This was Roy Weatherbys favorite rifle . I shoot the 120gr bullets. Normally drops them in there tracks.
Have fun. John

 

[Quintus]

Great thanks, is the 6.5 PRC worth the risk of being able to find ammo compared to the 6.5 CM? Again, I will be shooting out to maybe 400 yards, most likely 250-300 yards typically, again, on whitetail deer. Just trying to not over do something, the idea of the lighter recoil and easier to find factory ammo is really starting to appeal to me. Originally, I really thought I wanted the 6.5 PRC, but that may not be wise since I already have a 7mm Magnum to use on larger game if I ever decided to do that.

For deer to 500 yards the Creed is perfect. You won't lose anything to the PRC. The huge advantage with the Creed is every ammo maker not only loads it, but has several different loads, and most of them shoot well out of a decent rifle. With a little looking it is easy to find.

 

[Clark54]

Swiped this off the web in case recoil is a consideration. Note these are averages...

Cartridge​	Free Recoil Energy (Ft-lbs)	Recoil Velocity (FPS)	Avg Bullet Weight	Avg Muzzle Velocity
.243 Winchester	9.2	8.5	103	2,922
6.5 Creedmoor	11.9	9.6	138	2,695
.25-06 Remington	12.7	9.9	111	2,988
7mm-08 Remington	14.9	10.7	160	2,672
6.5 PRC	16.3	11.2	142	2,972
.270 Winchester	17.6	11.6	149	2,944
.308 Winchester	18.3	11.6	202	2,491
.270 WSM	21.2	12.8	149	3,050
.30-06 Springfield	21.3	12.6	205	2,646
7mm Rem Mag	23.2	13.3	163	2,937

 

[NCgagehunt]

Swiped this off the web in case recoil is a consideration. Note these are averages...

Cartridge​	Free Recoil Energy (Ft-lbs)	Recoil Velocity (FPS)	Avg Bullet Weight	Avg Muzzle Velocity
.243 Winchester	9.2	8.5	103	2,922
6.5 Creedmoor	11.9	9.6	138	2,695
.25-06 Remington	12.7	9.9	111	2,988
7mm-08 Remington	14.9	10.7	160	2,672
6.5 PRC	16.3	11.2	142	2,972
.270 Winchester	17.6	11.6	149	2,944
.308 Winchester	18.3	11.6	202	2,491
.270 WSM	21.2	12.8	149	3,050
.30-06 Springfield	21.3	12.6	205	2,646
7mm Rem Mag	23.2	13.3	163	2,937

Now I see why everyone loves the 6.5 CM. That's surprising, and good info.

 

[Jmedin]

I'm from NC as well and I have personally killed deer with a 22-250 all the way up to a 300 win mag and never had any problems. One of my buddies dad kills deer with a 224 Valkyrie.

 

[NCgagehunt]

I called Seekins yesterday and they are doing some things around the holidays with more options in stock colors (camo) and also cerakote on the stainless barrels on the PH2 models. I'm going to get one of these, I think I've decided on the 6.5 CM since I'm a factory ammo guy. I will post pictures once I place the order. I guess Seekins does some different things around the holidays at times, I've never bought from them but this sounds pretty exciting.

 

[epoletna]

Congratulations on the decision. Good rifle, good caliber despite all the people on this forum who grumble about it. For your use, it will be excellent.

 

[Its204fast]

Welcome to the site from MN. For NC deer to 500 yards the world is your oyster. The 6.5 PRC is a dandy and the 260 or 6.5 creed would also fill the bill with less recoil and more readily found brass. I used the 25-06 out in VA and NC and found it to be perfect for them 'cross the holler' shots. Killed a truckload with the Sierra 90 Grain HPBT Gameking. The 240 Wby. would be a real gem out there too.

Ive killed a few NC deer with a 270win with 90gn seirras

 

[Its204fast]

I'll vote for the 7mm-08. Its like a 308 but faster! I love my 7mag but the recoil sucks. If you feel the need for a .30 cal bullet I think the 30 Nosler is a good choice too.

 

[NCgagehunt]

I'll vote for the 7mm-08. Its like a 308 but faster! I love my 7mag but the recoil sucks. If you feel the need for a .30 cal bullet I think the 30 Nosler is a good choice too.

Thanks yes I like the 7mm-08 as well. Unfortunately, most manufacturers like Seekins aren't offering it in their rifles, sure wish they did. Seems like the manufacturers have somewhat gotten away from it, even though I realize some still do make it. There are just so many new calibers, it actually makes things more complicated.

 

[762x51]

i'm in NC as well. i use an AR15 in 6.5 grendel. 16" barrel. it's lightweight and could easily take most of the deer here. my shots are 50-300 yards as that's about as far as i can see on my property. i hunt in warren county up near the VA border. if i was down east i'd probably go with my 6.5 creed or .308 as that's what i have on hand and they do the trick.

 

[NCgagehunt]

i'm in NC as well. i use an AR15 in 6.5 grendel. 16" barrel. it's lightweight and could easily take most of the deer here. my shots are 50-300 yards as that's about as far as i can see on my property. i hunt in warren county up near the VA border. if i was down east i'd probably go with my 6.5 creed or .308 as that's what i have on hand and they do the trick.

Yes, I think the 6.5 CM will do well, I hunt up around Northampton county, NC, so we aren't far apart. Just got some property up there this year, I love it.