deer gun

[sakoshooter]

I have to admit that most of my opinion with the calibers mentioned above revolves around the factory ammunion of yesteryear, most of which is still available and very economical. Many people today still buy the cheapest ammo they can and complain about it when it doesn't work. Today there are many factory load choices with super premium bullets that will perform great.
Just browsing thru my Speer reloading manual, they recommend their 120 & 140 gr Grand Slam bullets for big deer in the .260 and 25.06. The lighter bullets are recommended for varmints.
Speer does not make a bonded core bullet but a 120 or 140 gr bullet in a bonded core or solid copper bullet would definitely be a good deer round.
I also answered this question originally assuming that Splitshot was buying his first big game rifle. I assumed that if he had a bunch of them already that he wouldn't be asking the question in the first place. Another assumption was that he'd need an all around rifle to cover deer and possibly elk some day. Hence my answer. I certainly didn't mean to offend any of the 25.06 crowd out there. I've shot a ton of deer and an elk with my .270 but then I shoot heavy bonded core bullets in it also. After that 1 elk, I bought a .338 and shoot bonded core bullets out of it now for elk. It ran way too far(300yds) dbl lunged with a 150 gr Nosler Partition pass thru shot.

[CP]

I’ve never used either of the loads in question but I have shot a deer with a 250-3000 Savage, pretty close ballisticly.  He died without taking another step.  Complete pass through, regular ole cup & core softpoint bullet. 

[sakoshooter]

My hunting partner lost a big bull a few years ago using a .270 and regular ol fashioned 'cup & core' bullets. Tracked it for two solid days without recovering it. Weather changed and snow started to melt, losing all sign of blood. Shot solidly in the front shoulder according to him. He's the best hunter I know of so it was just a case of bad luck I guess. He has since switched to a factory loaded super premium bullet and his success since if proof.
It's not just 'shoot enough gun' it's 'shoot enough bullet'.

[big bucks]

       If you know where to look there are some great factory loads available for the 25s. Hornady in particular loads some great rounds with premium bullets.

[Deer slayer]

I’ve never used either of the loads in question but I have shot a deer with a 250-3000 Savage, pretty close ballisticly.  He died without taking another step.  Complete pass through, regular ole cup & core softpoint bullet. 

I have the same gun and used it for years.  Its all about shot placement.  I have since put the gun away in the gun locker to pass it on some day.

[splitshot]

i should clear some things up.  i had a slight stroke and lost the sight of my dominant right eye.  now my dominant eye is left.  i am having a heck of a time shooting left as i have shot right for 60 years.  now my right handed 243 is no good so i need a new gun.  i want to go a bit bigger bullet.  thank you all for the input as it was good stuff. any thing else is welcome.  mike w

[JimmyHoffa]

You could either buy or have fabricated an offset scope mount.  Shoot right handed, but have the scope moved over for the left eye.  Some of the 20 and 30 mm sniper rifles are set up in this way because the magazines are top mounted/gravity fed.

[sakoshooter]

Mike,
That does clear up some things. Will it be used just for deer? Or is elk in your future?
As far as getting used to shooting left handed: Well, All I can say is pracatice, practice, practice. It'll become second nature after a while. After you get your new LH rifle, buy some cheap ammo and practice in all positions. Including shooting sticks.

[splitshot]

i use a 7 mm mag for elk with a bipod. i also use a tripod to steady up.

[C-Money]

The 25.06 and the 260 are both fine choices, I think you will be very happy with eather one! Keep us posted on what you buy!

[400out]

I have 3. 

I'm still accepting Christmas presents! No belated penalty will be assessed 

[runningboard]

I have seen people use those extra tall see-through mounts to mount a scope very high and then use the opposite eye to look thru the scope so maybe you could try that and keep shooting it from your right shoulder if your hand/fingers still work good for you. just a thought.
not gonna argue whether caliber choice is good except to say I own a 25-06 with many elk, 2 moose & 1 big black bear to it's credit, shoot a 270 more than anything else & have shot a deer with a 260. all works if you do your part.