I am looking at getting a new rifle for hunting deer in eastern Oregon, i already own a 7mm WSM that i will be using for elk, and just wanted something else that would be for deer size game only, i am thinking either the 270 win with 130 grn bullets, or the 7mm 08 with 140 grn bullets both in either Nosler AB/BT, any suggestions as to which one you would go with. Thanks
270 win or 7mm 08?
- Thread starter dezmick
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- Nov 4, 2004
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I would opt for the 7mm-08. The 270 Win and the 7mm WSM are pretty similar. The 260 Rem would be a dandy for deer and you could join the "6.5mm Club".
JD338
JD338
Bruce Mc
Handloader
- Oct 26, 2005
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You can't go wrong with the .270 Win. Its a great deer round and like previously stated, it can serve as a backup to the 7 mag. I've been craving a Winchester model 70 featherweight in .270 Win. Another point in favor of the .270 is that it can get the job done on some pretty good size critters and still isn't unpleasant in the featherweigth rifles.
6mm Remington
Ammo Smith
- Feb 27, 2006
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dezmick":3ff3oj8z said:
6mm Remington and then you could join the 6mm club! Great deer rifle and then you would also have something wonderful for coyotes, antelope, and gophers as well.!
8) Fast, low recoil, accurate, and plenty powerful enough.. Good luck on your choice! I feel the 270 is too close to your 7mm WSM, and the 7-08 isn't really too far behind that even. :grin:
David
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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Why not simply use the 7mm WSM? It drops deer like the Hammer of Thor. On the other hand, if you just need an excuse for a new rifle, go for it!
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- #8
DrMike
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- Nov 8, 2006
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At a minimum, you really need a 325 WSM for elk, reserving the 7mm WSM for deer. .308 bullets bounce off elk anymore; you need a larger bullet to kill them. There are multiple reports of dead elk getting up and walking away after being shot with smaller cartridges. :shock:
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- #10
filmjunkie4ever
Handloader
- May 4, 2011
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Being as you have a 7mm WSM for elk and a 270 isn't really going to do much that the 7mm wouldn't, I would opt for a 25-06 and here's why.
The 25-06 has the heavy end (110-120 grain) bullets that perform like a 270 shooting 130 grainers with less recoil. The velocity and performance are almost identical while on the lighter end you have 85 grainers that are a literal laser for coyotes and scuh and the 100 grain bullets that are great for antelope and still work well for deer.
I personally don't see the need to have a 7mm and a 270 as they will do basically the same things in all comparable bullet weights. Not to knock either as they are both amazing calibers.
But if you want something different than your 7mm I would opt for the 25-06, it is a great yet unsung deer cartridge.
The 25-06 has the heavy end (110-120 grain) bullets that perform like a 270 shooting 130 grainers with less recoil. The velocity and performance are almost identical while on the lighter end you have 85 grainers that are a literal laser for coyotes and scuh and the 100 grain bullets that are great for antelope and still work well for deer.
I personally don't see the need to have a 7mm and a 270 as they will do basically the same things in all comparable bullet weights. Not to knock either as they are both amazing calibers.
But if you want something different than your 7mm I would opt for the 25-06, it is a great yet unsung deer cartridge.
No flies on the .270 altough my choice of bullet would be either the 150 gr. Sierra Game King or the 150 gr. Nosler Partition loaded to whatever the safe max would be for your rifle.
I don't shoot a 7MM08 but I do shoot a Winchester M70 Featherweight chambered to the 7x57 Mauser which with my handloads is just about the same thing. A good 140 gr. bullet would be a fine deer load. You could even go as heavy as a 160 gr. bullet which would serve for elk withing 200 yards, give or take a few with proper bullet placement. I imagine you could even get away with 175 gr. bullets although they would be very deeply seated. I'm going to be playing with the 120 and 140 gr. TSX bullets in my 7x57, the lighter one for deer and the heavier for deer and elk.
I like the .270 as well but feel that the 130 gr. bullets mangle up way too much good eating meat should your aim be off and you hit the shoulder. The last animal I shot with my .270 was hit with a 150 gr. Sierra GK. The bullet hit the antelope on the left side just into the ribs as it was quartering away from me with the bullet exiting ehind the off shoulder. The antelope turned sharply to the right, made a short 30 foot half circle and died. Entrance hole was about a half inch and the exit mybe 1.5". The bullet nicked the paunch but very little leakage. If I'd have been using a 130 gr. bullet the paunch would probably have splattered all over the inside of that animal. Not a pleasant thought, especially trying to clean that mess up.
I haven't taken any game with the 7x57 yet but hope it will be the one I use if I draw a deer tag. Too many people putting in for way too few tags.
Paul B.
I don't shoot a 7MM08 but I do shoot a Winchester M70 Featherweight chambered to the 7x57 Mauser which with my handloads is just about the same thing. A good 140 gr. bullet would be a fine deer load. You could even go as heavy as a 160 gr. bullet which would serve for elk withing 200 yards, give or take a few with proper bullet placement. I imagine you could even get away with 175 gr. bullets although they would be very deeply seated. I'm going to be playing with the 120 and 140 gr. TSX bullets in my 7x57, the lighter one for deer and the heavier for deer and elk.
I like the .270 as well but feel that the 130 gr. bullets mangle up way too much good eating meat should your aim be off and you hit the shoulder. The last animal I shot with my .270 was hit with a 150 gr. Sierra GK. The bullet hit the antelope on the left side just into the ribs as it was quartering away from me with the bullet exiting ehind the off shoulder. The antelope turned sharply to the right, made a short 30 foot half circle and died. Entrance hole was about a half inch and the exit mybe 1.5". The bullet nicked the paunch but very little leakage. If I'd have been using a 130 gr. bullet the paunch would probably have splattered all over the inside of that animal. Not a pleasant thought, especially trying to clean that mess up.
I haven't taken any game with the 7x57 yet but hope it will be the one I use if I draw a deer tag. Too many people putting in for way too few tags.
Paul B.
- Thread starter
- #17
I just ordered that Browning X-Bolt 7mm 08 today, i plan on shooting 140 Nosler BT or AB for deer, i think i made the correct choice, but either way i will just have to live with it, now i just need to put some glass on it and go shoot the thing once i get some loads worked up for it. Thanks for all the input.
