Help choose cartridge for deer season

[Trent]

I have a Savage Axis II in 308 and its destroying my shoulder after a day at the range. I’m wanting to get something smaller but cannot decide between 243, 7mm08 or anything that will have less recoil basically. Looking to get either a Tikka or Savage apex. My local shop has a Savage apex in 7mm08 and i’m thinking about getting it. anyone have experience with this round and could comment on recoil? Thanks!

[jewjewbee_1234]

It’s not that much different from 308. My wife has one. It’s a great round though.

[Sea_Charity_3927]

Go for the 243 its a great gun that can drop a whitetail no problem its super easy on the shoulders too

[elsilver22]

I’ve got a light .308 hunting rifle as well, 40 or so rounds and my shoulder stops liking it. By the time I send 40 rounds I’ve probably been on the range for an hour or so and I’m ready to move onto different guns for that day.
I think you’ll be okay with the 308 for deer unless you’re taking some longer shots. Just don’t send too many rounds in one day and you’ll be alright.

[ljemla2]

25-06 is a light recoiling, hard hitting round.

[Jmcelheney21]

A .308 shouldnt destroy your shoulder. I love a .243 though and its plenty for whitetail. The 7mm08 I’ve shot didnt seem to be much less than a .308 imo

[thunderpantsmagoo]

30-30. You won’t regret it

[mexicanstingray68]

Google limb saver..your welcome

[Deep_shot]

7-08 isn’t going to be much less than a .308. It also depends on the rifle and round size. A thick padded butt stock might be worth a try.

[pls_no_shoot_pupper]

The upper limit of universally tolerable recoil is considered to be around 15 ft.lbs. In your average hunting rifle a 308 is 19-20 ish a 7mm08 around 17, a 6.5 creedmoor around 15 and a 243 about 12-13.

As for tikka vs savage. I own both. I find reasons to take the tikka and leave the savage in the safe.

[RelativeFox1]

Have you considered getting a range and training rifle and using the deer rifle less often? 80% of what I shoot is a .223 bolt and 20% 308. I can practice all my shooting techniques and stuff with .223 then do a couple boxes of .307 before hunting season.

[albertagu97]

Get a limb saver

[Not-you_but-Me]

.308 Winchester isn’t a hard kicking round. That being said, in a poor fitting rifle felt recoil can be multiplied. Are you of a particularly small stature? If so you may want to get a shorter stock. You can also try a limb saver recoil pad, and work on shouldering the rifle properly.

Of the two you mentioned, .243 will be lighter in recoil, but both will be significantly less than 308 in the same weight rifle.

[RussianBotOnUnicycle]

25-06, that thing is a laser out to 300yds. I have a Sako A7 in it and my father has a Tikka chambered in it as well both rifles are shooting close to moa with many factory Hornady and federal loads.

[afdavis40]

Why are you spending a day at the range? 308 isn’t a heavy recoil rifle. Could you shorten your shooting sessions a bit so you weren’t focused on the pain? 243 is a very light caliber. Its good for all day sessions too. Its adequate for deer, which is a slight compromise for all day shooting comfort.

If you’re shooting a few hundred rounds at a time, I’d consider getting some kind of wearable shooting pad or recoil device.