We don't see enough deer to risk neck shots...I've had it work more than not but I try to not go that route.

The ruger American or predator are great shooting guns. I don't like the feel of the stock and the plastic magazine is cheap, but it shoots great. It's a good ranch/truck gun but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one as a primary hunting rifle.

cpsencik04 said:

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Do you have a certain rifle in mind as being 8lbs? My .308 surely isn't.

The exit wound on my rifle as I'm hunting it currently looks like I shot a beer can through the deer, now I understand much of that is the bullet but in my opinion the 308 is too much for our small white tails....especially doe which is most of my hunting unfortunately.

Where does the 6.5 and 25-06 rank in comparison to a .243?

As far as platforms, any major knocks on the Savage Axis, Mossberg Patriot, or Ruger American

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6.5 and 25-06 has more thump than 243. 25-06 and 243 have similar muzzle velocity, but 25-06 is a heavier bullet. You will have more momentum and energy and maintain velocity at longer ranges.

Not quantitative, but I am tracking deer significantly less with my 25-06 vs the 243.

Honestly I hate my Savage. No experience with Mossberg, Ruger is OK. For the price, Tikka will be better in my opinion.

Tikka 25-06 is 5.9#
https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/tikka-t3x-lite-25-06-remington-bolt-action-rifle#repChildCatid=4988147

My current favorite is my Browning X-bolt. Really any rifle with a sporting barrel and modest scope will have you under 9#. Most hunting rifles are ~7# out of the box.

If your exit wound is that big, you could change bullets. If your shoot a projectile that does not fragment, it will be a smaller exit wound and still have good energy transfer.

What rounds are you using?

I decided I wanted to downsize from a .30-06 last year and went .243. Very glad I did, just a much more fun round to shoot. I've probably already out more rounds through that gun in the 6 months I've had it than in several years prior with the '06. 3 deer so far, all neck shots so no tracking.

I wont have an option pretty soon, the round ive been shooting has been discontinued, it has always been extremely accurate so i stuck with it despite the exit wound carnage. It is a Winchester 150 grain silvertip

Oh yeah. Those blow huge holes. We stopped using them a long time ago.

Coreloks tend to work well in 308. If they work well I stop there. If not I move to Hornady SST then Federal premium,Nosler, or Barnes.