FEEDING THE CALIBRE FRENZY

Whenever deer hunters gather, the topic inevitably arises, what is the best calibre to use on our Irish deer species?

Bearing in mind that Deer Alliance HCAP strongly advocate .240 calibre, bullet weight 100 grains and muzzle energy 2100 foot-pounds as the recommended minimum legal calibre, we set out below a pictorial comparison of the multitude of different rounds used in Ireland or elsewhere.

Group 1

.22 Hornet, .222 Rem., .220 Swift, 6mm Rem., 6.5×55, 7×57, .284 Win. and .300 Savage.

Group 2

.204 Ruger, .223 Rem., .22-250, .243 Win., .257 Roberts, .25-06, .260 Rem., .270 Win. and 7mm WSM.

Group 3

.30-30, .308 Win., .30-06, .300 WSM, .300 Win. Magnum and .300 Ultra Mag.

Group 4

7mm-08 Rem., .280 Rem., 7mm WSM, 7mm Rem. Magnum and 7mm Rem. Ultra Mag. 

Group 5

Winchester Short Magnums: .270, 7mm, .300 and the .325.