Large Game Hunting - Virginia [Archive]

Meth0d

11-27-12, 11:53

I am wanting to get into large game hunting (primarily deer) in Virginia and am wondering if people have suggestions on what gun to use. I currently own a couple Daniel Defense ARs but I will need a caliber of .23 or larger per Virginia law.

I have been leaning towards purchasing a Remington 700 in .243 and I cannot find anything that says I should do otherwise.

Littlelebowski

11-27-12, 11:58

Stangman

11-27-12, 12:00

I've seen what damage a .243 will do up close & personal & it will flat out do the job. I'd look at one in .308 though, simply because ammo availability & pricing. Either way you'll be gtg.

Littlelebowski

11-27-12, 12:13

The .243 can be handloaded to win 1k yard matches and does just about everything a .260 does. I'd get the .243 but won't say a 700 in .308 is a bad choice as I have one myself.

Dano5326

11-27-12, 12:43

The VA I'm familiar with is thick woodland. Not sure you'd need the legs of a .243, but a nice round. A 44 lever gun or a 6.8 upper would be my choice inside of 150

Littlelebowski

11-27-12, 12:46

A 6.8 would be great. Really, there's a lot of choices. A 30-30 would damned sure do the job too as would a decently accurate AK.

Meth0d

11-27-12, 13:05

The reason I was straying away from an upper was that I am attending a hunting trip to Anticosti island in Quebec next year and I don't want to screw around with their AR regulations.

SHIVAN

11-27-12, 13:41

So many choices...

6.8
300 Blk
6.5
308
300 Fireball
243
7.62R

If you want a Rem700 in 243, do it and don't worry about it.

If you want an AR based hunting rig, I would say the 300 Blk would be a perfect fit for someone already an "AR guy".

I would also say that if you are doing a Rem 700, I would just get the 308 and have a more versatile setup, with a more robust selection of ammo from everywhere. The 243 will do it, but the 308 has more going for it overall.

sinister

11-27-12, 13:46

Either 243 or 308 will take Virginia white-tails. Northern deer tend to grow a bit bigger/heavier, but the 243 will flat-out work.

I'd bet you can probably find a nice, used Remington 700 for not too ridiculous a price.

ImBroke

11-27-12, 15:34

The reason I was straying away from an upper was that I am attending a hunting trip to Anticosti island in Quebec next year and I don't want to screw around with their AR regulations.

Will you be hunting the same sized animals up there, or something bigger? Might affect caliber choice.

Meth0d

11-27-12, 15:39

I will be hunting deer as well, but as sinister said, they'll be a bit larger.

SHIVAN

11-27-12, 15:46

The .243, with a proper projectile, will kill deer pretty readily.

I would still vote .308. The selection goes heavier on the top end, and can mimic the .243 on the lighter end.

Littlelebowski

11-27-12, 15:49

I strongly recommend the shorter barreled 700s. I have a 20" .308 and I won't go back to a longer barrel.

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Watrdawg

11-27-12, 16:15

A great compromise between the .243 and .308 would be a 7mm08. Less recoil than a .308 and great ballistics. They can be had in a variety of different rifles and will do the job on most anything you would want to hunt. I've been shooting a 7mm08 since 1990 and it is my favorite deer cartridge. I just recently purchased a Winchester Extreme Weather rifle in 7mm08 and love it.

nhskull21

11-27-12, 19:10

When I was in radford va most common was 30-06 and 30-30. Id go .308 less of a beating then 30-06. Wouldn't say no to a remmington sps 700 .308 with a 20 inch barrel.

Heavy Metal

11-27-12, 19:36

Virginia's caliber restriction is an anachronism back to the days when the .22 Hornet the about the most common small centerfire. it has been on the books a LONG time!

They really need to update it to something like expanding .224 projectile, bonded or solid core. Minimum weight 60 grains.

Then set a minimum muzzle energy and go from there.

If the Commonwealth allows the slinging of sharp sticks, is should allow a proper .22 centerfire cartridge because it is far more humane.

The law needs changed.

nineteenkilo

11-27-12, 23:06

I strongly recommend the shorter barreled 700s. I have a 20" .308 and I won't go back to a longer barrel.

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This. A million times this. I love my 20" barrels.

Also, as a side note in case you weren't familiar with the geneaology of the 243 - it is a necked down 308. Same short action and beautiful lines. My wife loves her mod 70 in 243 and I love my 30-30 with an RDS. Anything listed in this thread will work just fine.

Meth0d

12-05-12, 13:14

So the only two I've found are a Remington 700 SPS Tactical (20") in .308 for $670 and a Remington 700 SPS Tactical (20") AAC-SD in .308 for $729.

Littlelebowski

12-05-12, 13:23

So the only two I've found are a Remington 700 SPS Tactical (20") in .308 for $670 and a Remington 700 SPS Tactical (20") AAC-SD in .308 for $729.

Either will be fine. I don't like the flexi forearm on the AAC's stock and so I replaced mine with a used stock I found on Snipers Hide. No reason not to get the SPS from my perspective.

Meth0d

12-05-12, 13:26

How are those prices? They are both local so no wait for FFL fees.

Littlelebowski

12-05-12, 13:29

The AAC is high, they are usually in the mid $600s or sometimes less. The SPS is spot on. Looks like they both have the Hogue stock that I don't like but that's fine. At this point, you have to ask yourself if you plan to suppress the weapon down the road.

Littlelebowski

12-05-12, 13:31

This might help.
http://8541tactical.com/budget%20precision%20article.php

Meth0d

12-05-12, 14:32

Scoby

12-05-12, 14:36

How are those prices? They are both local so no wait for FFL fees.

I just bought a new in the box Rem 700 SPS T AAC .308 for $630.00 on Gunbroker. Shipping was another $25. I can send you his contact info. if you'd like.

My son has an SPS and it's the reason I bought mine. It is a great rifle for the money. 3/4" MOA right out of the box with my handloads.
And yes, the 20" barrel is really handy.

I've shot lots of deer with a .243 and it will do the job. But, if I was going after the big Canadian whitetails, I'd pick the .30 cal..

punkey71

12-05-12, 14:49

Have you considered the Ruger American?

About 1/2 those prices out the door.

I've been pleased with mine as a entry level hunting rifle. 1.5-2 moa with a Burris 2-7 off my range bag. Hell the rifle with scope and rings only came to a ~$500.

Just a thought.

Best
Harold

So the only two I've found are a Remington 700 SPS Tactical (20") in .308 for $670 and a Remington 700 SPS Tactical (20") AAC-SD in .308 for $729.

Meth0d

12-10-12, 15:16

I just bought a new in the box Rem 700 SPS T AAC .308 for $630.00 on Gunbroker. Shipping was another $25. I can send you his contact info. if you'd like.

That would be great.

kry226

12-11-12, 11:29

Another thing to consider is if you're military, or plan on hunting places like Quantico MCB, etc., as most bases are shotgun/ML only. Also in NOVA, there used to be shotgun/ML only counties (Prince William). If so, the Savage 220F in 20 ga is an awesome piece, as is their muzzleloader. Military bases are great places to hunt, even for civilians. Just something to think about.

But I do concur with the above recommendations for the .243, 7-08, or .308. in the Remmy 700. I have the .243 and .308 in the 700 and both are great guns. I have to give it to the .308 for versatility as hunting is pretty contagious and you never know where your hunting tastes will take you in the future...hogs, moose, elk, etc.

Meth0d

12-11-12, 14:58

Thanks for all the input guys. I've gone with a Remington 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD, TPS 20 MOA base, TPS 30mm alloy steel rings and a Vortex Viper HS Tactical 5x15x44.

kry226

12-11-12, 15:29

Thanks for all the input guys. I've gone with a Remington 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD, TPS 20 MOA base, TPS 30mm alloy steel rings and a Vortex Viper HS Tactical 5x15x44.

It will serve you well!

Littlelebowski

12-11-12, 17:06

Thanks for all the input guys. I've gone with a Remington 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD, TPS 20 MOA base, TPS 30mm alloy steel rings and a Vortex Viper HS Tactical 5x15x44.

Mil or MOA?

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Meth0d

12-11-12, 19:23

Mil or MOA?

The scope? It's the Midway version (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/183567/vortex-viper-hs-tactical-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-5-15x-44mm-side-focus-1-10-mil-adjustments-mil-dot-reticle-matte). I believe it only comes in MIL.

Littlelebowski

12-11-12, 19:32

The scope? It's the Midway version (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/183567/vortex-viper-hs-tactical-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-5-15x-44mm-side-focus-1-10-mil-adjustments-mil-dot-reticle-matte). I believe it only comes in MIL.

Good.

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Scoby

12-12-12, 11:29

Thanks for all the input guys. I've gone with a Remington 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD, TPS 20 MOA base, TPS 30mm alloy steel rings and a Vortex Viper HS Tactical 5x15x44.

Great. Was my guy any help?

Meth0d

12-12-12, 11:31

Great. Was my guy any help?

Indeed he was.

Scoby

12-12-12, 11:50

Good.

Be sure to post a pic of that big Canadian 12pt. :D

NTX_1911

12-12-12, 13:16

The great thing about .308 is that it is such a versatile round, there really isn't anything in NA you can't hunt with it aside from the larger bears like grizzlies and kodiaks.

kry226

12-12-12, 15:32

The great thing about .308 is that it is such a versatile round, there really isn't anything in NA you can't hunt with it aside from the larger bears like grizzlies and kodiaks.

I bet it'll still give them a run for their money. :D

Littlelebowski

12-14-12, 07:20

Nice upgrade (http://www.vaguntrader.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/436200#Post436200) for that flexi stock on the AAC-SD.

Meth0d

12-14-12, 12:07

Nice upgrade (http://www.vaguntrader.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/436200#Post436200) for that flexi stock on the AAC-SD.

What do those normally cost?