Q: I often go out rabbiting and am considering getting a new .25 air rifle. Does this calibre have enough hitting power for going after long-range rabbits? (Read Bruce Potts on the Harper Classic .25 HW90 in use for rats and pigeons.) A: The .25 airgun calibre is actually not…
Rifle calibres
Ruger American Ranch rifle
Explaining different rifle calibres
The word calibre is the measurement of the interior (the bore) of a gun’s barrel and the diameter of bullet ammunition used.
Ammunition is described in various ways, namely:
- Velocity: This is the speed at which the bullet travels in feet per second.
- Energy: The approximate power of each bullet
- Bullet Weight: This is measured in grains
Common rifle calibres
.22 LR
A small round with a low recoil. Good for beginners. A 22 rimfire (R/F) is used for rabbit shooting but not powerful enough for foxes.
The .243 is a popular calibre for deer stalking
.243
Suitable for foxes and small deer. The 1963 Deer Act stipulated a minimum of .240 calibre and since then the .243 has become one of the standard UK deer rounds.
.270 Winchester
Popular with deer stalkers for its long range.
.308
For larger deer such as Sika, Fallow and Red. It is also used for target shooting and if you join a shooting club you are likely to see many .308 rifles.
What the expert says
Shooting Times contributor Bruce Potts advises:
“Cartridge choice is a very personal thing and I still love the .22 LR rimfire due to its diverse and cheap range of bullet selection from reduced loads, subsonics to high velocity, perfect for vermin.
“For foxes I like the smaller calibre centrefires like the .17 Rem, .20 Tactical and .223 Rem cartridges and for deer other than smaller species where a 22 centrefire is legal, I still use the old .308 Winchester cartridge for its flexibility of loading for Roe right up to Red stags and Wild Boar abroad.
“Although the 243 Win is still popular and the newer 6.5mm Creedmoor is giving its old predecessor the 6.5x55mm Swedish a run for its money.”
Wildcat cartridges: the background of the .22-250 calibre
.22-250 calibre review: The .22-250 calibre is one of the best when it comes to dealing with foxes and roe in Scotland.
What are the legal calibres for foxes and rabbits?
After many years shotgun shooting my partner and I have been looking into culling foxes and rabbits by rifle at the various farms where we shoot.
All about small calibre cartridges
Q: Do you have any information on the .14 or .12 calibre cartridges? I would like to rebarrel a rifle in one of these calibres but what’s your advice on small calibre cartridges? A: There are some worthwhile small calibre cartridges around. The .14 is a unique calibre and a…
What is the max killing range for a 100 grain .243 bullet?
Deer stalking: What do you reckon is the ethical max killing range for a 100 grain .243 bullet for a heart/lung shot on Roe?
Which calibre is best for wild boar?
What calibre is best for wild boar? I intend to go wild boar shooting soon. In your opinion, what calibre would you say is best for boar?
Choosing a calibre
I am a keen deerstalker and use a Sako .243. I intend to invest in another rifle with a larger calibre and was thinking of .270, 30-06 or .308. I want it for red deer, the odd fallow and hunting trips abroad. What calibre would you suggest?
Deer stalking with smaller calibres
When deer stalking, I thought the smallest calibre rifle I could use was a .243? However, I’ve been hearing my .22 bunny gun is legally acceptable.
Rifle shooting the .243 calibre
The .243 calibre is a user-friendly cartridge for shooting deer, mostly roe, and perhaps the occasional fox at ranges out to 200 yards...
Is there a minimum recommended calibre for a foxing rifle?
Fox control: Why do all the rifle experts have such a low opinion of the .22 rimfire for fox control? I have taken numerous foxes at ranges of 100 yards – measured not guessed.
What’s the right cartridge for red deer?
Deer stalking: I plan to get involved in deer stalking on my father’s farm and two neighbouring Estates where there are Roe, Fallow and a few Sika. Can you recommend a calibre that will cope equally well with all three species?
What’s a good second-hand rifle for deer stalking?
Q: I want my son to come out stalking with me; he is keen and a good shot. Can you recommend a good-value second-hand rifle? Will any brand be OK providing the rifle meets the right specifications, and if so what specifications should I be looking for? A: It is…
What caliber deer stalking rifle would you pick?
Deer stalking: If you could have only one deer stalking rifle, what calibre would it be?