which bullet?

[JEG8233]

Why a 270? Forgive my ignorance never really got into the technical aspects of calibers

A 270 is smaller in diameter then an 30-06 with a little flatter shooting. Lot of folks like the milder recoil and the slightly flatter shooting.

[Rudyl]

Kinda partial to the Big 7

[wlgiv]

Sorry I meant caliber

As you can see, you're gonna get what you asked for and more.

A good point is made about the 30.06, it is a great all around cartridge, if you reload you can go down to around 87 grains on up to 220 grains. This caliber was designed for shots to 1,000 yds. But after being in military service for nearly 50 years. it was replaced with the .308, another good caliber. Nice thing too is that you can usually find ammunition for these calibers in every mom & pop store off the beaten path. But most of us bring what we need for the caliber we hunt with so that isn't always a problem.

It was also pointed out that any well placed shot can bring down any animal, which is true, although most states limit caliber size to above .22 for harvesting animal such as deer.

While working for Uncle Sam, I used both the .308 and .50 rifles.

I am fortunate to own rifles in calibers that were mentioned .270, 30.06, .308, 7mm Mag, .300 Mag. All of these calibers will perform well if you know (practice) the rifle and ammunition you are using whether you plan to stay within 300 yds or reach out past 1,000 yds.

All in all its gonna come down to what you like and are comfortable with and you can buy the weapon of your choice right over the counter so it doesn't break the bank. If you want to stay with the 7mm Mag or .300 Mag caliber I don't feel you will be disappointed with either caliber.

Good luck in your purchase!

[ltljohn]

To answer your question, with my opinion, I have a .300 Win Mag in a Winchester Model 70. It prefers 180gr bullets. I use Sierra BTHP and get great accuracy so i have not tried different.

A friend that I load for uses Nosler Partition, also 180 gr and gets excellent accuracy.

My gun does not "like" 150 or 165 gr bullets in any load that I have tried. I haven't felt any need to try 200 grain. Also, I went looking for a 30-06 and came across a deal too good to pass up.

7mm will have less recoil, mainly because you are normally shooting a lighter bullet. I do not personally own one, so my comments would be pointless on it. I feel both would be sufficient for any game animal in North America, but I would personally go heavier for dangerous game.

I also have no personal experience with any of the short magnums. When I bought, nobody had heard of a short magnum. (Not old, but getting there way to fast.)

[Solocam84]

I like the .270

[txfireguy2003]

I'm voting for a non magnum .30 caliber, like the .308 Winchester, but I'm no expert, just a guy who reads a lot and talks to a lot of people. Just yesterday as a matter of fact, I helped a buddy of mine with his elk hunting rifle. He was telling me, for the third time, that he thought he needed more gun than the 300 win mag. When asked why, he told me that he shot an elk last year, and didn't get enough penetration. Said he shot her in the neck and it made a big hole on the entrance, but no exit. He was using Hornady Superformance with 180gr SST bullets. These are a ballistic tip type bullet, and he shot at relatively close range. I'm guessing what happened was the velocity was too high at impact and the bullet just fragmented on impact like a varmint bullet would. I'm thinking standard velocity ammo in a standard velocity caliber like the .308 would have been fine for his purposes. Now, if you're planning on taking 500+ yard shots, THEN look into the magnums.

[Cuz]

300 win mag. Been hunting with that round for 20 years and love it. You miss em or kill em!

[BuckySWT]

.280 Ackley Improved

just to stir the pot a little

[x1jett]

7 mag - flat shooting and lots of energy.