This is a somewhat less involved and less scientific question than the post that gave me the idea. Which centerfire rifle round is the most fun to shoot. Here's the criteria:

1. Recoil must be less than my field favorite, the .30-06.

2. It cannot be a barrel burner like my next favorite - the .22-250. So we'll say 3200fps is max (that's a standard 55 gr .223).

3. It has to be adequate for deer hunting. This probably disqualifies the aforementioned .223.

4. It must be inherently accurate......whatever that means:-) See previous post.

What round best fits this bill?

This is a somewhat less involved and less scientific question than the post that gave me the idea. Which centerfire rifle round is the most fun to shoot. Here's the criteria:

1. Recoil must be less than my field favorite, the .30-06.

2. It cannot be a barrel burner like my next favorite - the .22-250. So we'll say 3200fps is max (that's a standard 55 gr .223).

3. It has to be adequate for deer hunting. This probably disqualifies the aforementioned .223.

4. It must be inherently accurate......whatever that means:-) See previous post.

What round best fits this bill?
I would vote for #1 .257 Roberts #2 250 Savage #3 .243 Win
All easy shooting & very accurate. My 2 cents
Mike B.

That's easy! .257 Roberts! :D

.257 Roberts, .250 Savage.....

I was thinking .250 Savage myself. A .260 Rem is catching my attention though lately although I have yet to shoot one.

- I've done alot with the .243Win...

- It's avery capable round - it's a great predator/varmint round...
- And in the hands of a qualified-rifleman, will easily take both antelope and deer.

When I need an attitude adjustment (most of the time, probably) the 500 Jeffery is just a riot!

However, I just love shooting the 7x57. Probably has more to do with the rifle so chambered, a Ruger No.1 RSI, but it is quite fun after shooting the big gun.

When I need an attitude adjustment (most of the time, probably) the 500 Jeffery is just a riot!

However, I just love shooting the 7x57. Probably has more to do with the rifle so chambered, a Ruger No.1 RSI, but it is quite fun after shooting the big gun.


Certainly can't decide what "fun" is from one shooter to the next.

But we know the factors that lead to shorter barrel life.

1. The more powder burned, the shorter the barrel life.
2. The higer the pressure, the shorter the barrel life.
3. The longer the peak pressure, the shorter the barrel life.

Are some minor things that some folks believe add or subtract to barrel life..and they might...but aren't the main things, are dealing with the small percentages.


Bore area seems to have something to do with it. Even run at the same pressure and using the same volume of powder, a .243 doesn't seem to last as long as a .308....but that's part of rule #3 (same volume. same pressure, but the time-line of the high pressure is longer).

My onw vote for the longest lived raund that still generates +3,000fps would go to the .250savage. Seems to have the right combination of volume, pressure, and bore size.

Define adequate. ;)

I'm having the most fun I have ever had with a gun, loading for and shooting my new 32-20. I think a 100 grain bullet at 2,000 fps is adequate for small deer at short range.

I have a .257 Roberts and it is a better cartridge than the
32-20 in any way you can think of to compare them. Not nearly as much fun though.

my vote goes to 6mm rem.

For me,a "fun gun"is not necessarily a prime hunting gun.
I was fortunate enough to latch onto a GI30calCarbine in 1949.It is the most fun to shoot,and is adequate for the type of deer hunting that I do.
What you probably mean is the "handiest "gun to hunt with and casually shoot.That would be,for me,the Springfield Krag,sporterized to my personal taste.
Frank

Well, though not practical for deer hunting, it does fit the criteria listed. My most FUN round to shoot is the 50BMG from a Serbu BFG-50 rifle. Definetly puts a grin on your face, and I have shot 30-06's that kick harder.

This is a somewhat less involved and less scientific question than the post that gave me the idea. Which centerfire rifle round is the most fun to shoot. Here's the criteria:

1. Recoil must be less than my field favorite, the .30-06.

2. It cannot be a barrel burner like my next favorite - the .22-250. So we'll say 3200fps is max (that's a standard 55 gr .223).

3. It has to be adequate for deer hunting. This probably disqualifies the aforementioned .223.

4. It must be inherently accurate......whatever that means:-) See previous post.

What round best fits this bill?

6.5X55 Swedish Mauser.

25-06, 243, & the 6mm rem. All very accurate rounds, the 243 being the most popular shooter but least powerful, and the 25-06 probably in the middle for popularity with the most power. Each of them have about the same recoil. If you don't want any "extra" power then there's always the just-right 257 roberts.

357 Maximum out of a rifle ...

445 Super Mag out of a rifle ...

357 Maximum out of a rifle ...

445 Super Mag out of a rifle ...


Been thinking about this...so far, given the right day, haven't found one taht wasn't fun to shoot. Airgun to elephant gun...rimfire to centerfire...odd little M-16 look alike in .32ACP to a .460Weatherby necked to .50, all of them have put a big s-eating grin on my face at one time or another.

I tend to think both the .243Win. and 6mm Rem. They're powerful enough for most deer, and the recoil won't make you a spastic cripple if you spend a day at the range with either one. Both are quite accurate cartridges. I relad everything I use so I prefer the 6mm Rem. because of its longer neck. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

My vote would be 25-06 or 280 Rem.

Hoeram :D

Everyone is forgetting the most fun of all to shoot... The .22 rimfire. Rifle or pistol.

7.62x39. The cheap ammo is still hard to get right now. The American softpoints are good for deer. The little CZ carbine would be fun.

Everyone is forgetting the most fun of all to shoot... The .22 rimfire. Rifle or pistol.
He asked for centerfire, though.

I believe if I were to set out to build an all-out fun gun, I'd take a page from Ken K and build a Martini sporter or a Hagn singleshot in something like a 32-20 or 25-20.

I guess this leaves out those of us who can't deer hunt with a rifle. I was going to say .223, but it must be something to deer hunt with. Only thing in my part of the world is a shotgun and a muzzleloader. Not much to choose from .. :D

.243/6mm, 250 Savage/.257 (with a few 25-06s), and 6.5 Sweede seem to have the most votes so far. That makes sense fram a recoil and lethality perspective.

I would have thought a 7-08, which I think are a blast to shoot would have got some votes.

Should have grafted a poll (no clue how it is done) I assume we are talking from personnel experience, then I would say the 243. For me its good for small varmints thru white tail. It is also a great rifle to reload for as a lot of options, powder and bullets. I would add that I have been researching the 6.5, particularly the 6.5x55, and it seems to fall into this class.
Jim

He asked for centerfire, though.

I believe if I were to set out to build an all-out fun gun, I'd take a page from Ken K and build a Martini sporter or a Hagn singleshot in something like a 32-20 or 25-20.

Funny you mention that, I have been perusing the gun auction sites for Martini actions. Got to do some research to figure out what the different models are.

7-08 or a 7x57 ;)

.22 Hornet on a Model 15/12 Martini action with a heavy target barrel. Great for Pasture Poodles.

Lee L.

My favorite "fun to shoot" centerfire rifle caliber is the .454 Casull in my Browning High Wall. Very easy to load (large diameter straight-wall case is easy for powder and bullet insertion, carbide dies eliminate lubing hassles, short length is easy to manage), fairly broad cast and jacketed bullet options, low cost reloading (around 10 cents a round with cast bullets). Loaded down with a 255 gr. lead bullet and 9 gr. of WW231, recoil is negligible, and it's quite accurate. Pumped it, it's a very capable close-range deer (or more) cartridge. Barrels should last a long time with moderate lead loads. .44 mag, .45 Colt, and other like pistol rounds in a rifle would be equally fun. I enjoy the faster stuff (like .270, .270WSM, 30-06), but nothing is a fun to me as these pistol calibers.

My all time favorite rifle to shoot? Ummmmmm, will I am going to say my Remington .222 without batting an eye. My next fun rifle will be the 6mm Remington and I am amazed at the accuracy of both these rifle.

Now my Go To Rifle, is a model 70 Winchester Classic in the 25-06. I shoot this nowdays more than the others but all 3 are just a joy to shoot, weather at paper targets or varmint/predators in the field. I won't leave out deer hunting either.

Hmmm,

for less recoil in a similarly set up 30-06, get the job done centerfire, Id have to say 7x57 Mauser. Of what I own for the same with fun quotient, Too hard to choose just one.

a model 70 Winchester Classic in the 25-06.

Wish I could find one of those (to go with my 30-06 and .270 Classic Model 70s).

6.5 remington mag and .280 remington

357 Magnum chambered levergun, mine being a 16" barreled Ranger Compact. Very versital using 158 to 180 grain magnum round for deer, and cheap 38 Special for plinking. If you reload .360 lead balls using Bullseye powder great "cat sneeze" load for small game or pests.

My 303 Savage, but for a bunch of rounds that is fairly reasonable to shoot the 250 savage on a Savage 110 action mounted in a scout configuration that Jeff Cooper swears by. Les

357 Maximum out of a rifle ...

445 Super Mag out of a rifle ...



Dont forget the 30-30

I wish someone would make a real nice quality, ultra light bolt action .300 Savage.

The .300 Savage and the .308 Winchester are just about kissing cousins.

My .458 win Mag is fun to shoot.... Just not for very many rounds at a time! :p

That's easy, 45-70.

243 is my default answer, in something like a savage 14 classic with the hinged floorplate

The .300 Savage and the .308 Winchester are just about kissing cousins.

A buddy of mine has a Rem 700 .308. That thing kicks like my .30-06. I know most .308s aren't that way, but this one is.

A light, short bolt .300 Savage would be a perfect eastern deer gun and a great starter gun for a kid.

Don't disregard the venerable 6.5x55. It's accurate in most rifles, features a mild recoil and plenty powerful for any deer you'll encouter. This caliber will take all bullets from 85 to 160grs. That's quite a wide range. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Is there any functional difference between the 6.5 Sweede and the Rem .260. (And I doubt I would ever load the 160s)

You would be hard pressed to tell ballistics difference between the 6.5 Swede and the .260 Rem. Best way to do that is look at the head stamp! :D

You would be hard pressed to tell ballistics difference between the 6.5 Swede and the .260 Rem. Best way to do that is look at the head stamp! :D


With a modern rifle and at least a 24" barrel, you can handload the .260 a bit peppier than the 6.5X55. But, who cares? The 6.5 is a true classic, and with the tremendous range of bullet weights it can handle, it will do for varmints to moose! Now, I don't say it's ideal for all those things, but with 120-140 gr. loads it's darned near the perfect deer round, IMO.

With a modern steeled action/barrel and 24" length, you can load the 6.5x55 to the same ballistics as the .260 Rem. Only reason the manuals show the difference is because of the older rifles the 6.5's can be shot in.

Bird Dog.....A friend of mine has just 2 rifles he shoots! One is a .243 Winchester model 70 and his big game hunting rifle as he calls it, is a 6.5/30-06 wildcat. He shot a moose with it a few years back using some old Hornady 160 grain bullets.

He hit the moose twice through the lungs! It didn't go but 60 yards. He said he didn't really need the second shot really as it walked away slowly after the first shot. ;)

Yeah, I am thinking seriously about a .260, 6.5x55, 6.5-06, or 6.5-284 for a future round bolt gun.

Yeah, I am thinking seriously about a .260, 6.5x55, 6.5-06, or 6.5-284 for a future round bolt gun.

Hey Bird Dog, what part of Missouri are you from?

Hey Bird Dog, what part of Missouri are you from?

Central Mo. How bout you?

Central Mo. How bout you?

Bird Dog I am in a little town called Ozark Missouri!

.243 Hands down