Calibre choice for deer ARRRRRR!

[Goshawk]

Ok,
Hi all, I am currently in the throws of trying to choose a calibre for a new rifle (probably order it tomorrow) that is going to be used mainly for deer hunting (fallow).
I have had several threads going on here at in regards to short barrels, cals, etc and I have come to the damn conclusion that its either going to be 308w or 270w Tikka T3 Lite with a 22in barrel.

Which one though!!!!!
Most shots will be under 150m but it would be nice to have something that can stretch out far for goats on the ridge.

PLEASE help me CHOOSE!!!!

[yoshie]

Between the two I'd go a 270, I went 30-06 and wish I had got a 270. Not much in it to, both are good. If you're not reloading check out the price of ammo at your local, that might help you pick.

[North East]

Not much in it. The .270 probably has a bit more kick than the .308 and it is a flat shooter. I be happy with either one.

[Goshawk]

Mmmm is there any advantage to a larger calibre in distances under 150m and in the scrub?

[Oldbloke]

Between the two I'd go a 270, I went 30-06 and wish I had got a 270. Not much in it to, both are good. If you're not reloading check out the price of ammo at your local, that might help you pick.

Good point on price yoshie, and im inclined to think there will be more to choose from in 308. I would lean to the 308, but nothing in it. Try flipping a coin.

[Oneshot270]

My opinions a bit one sided as my first high power was my .270 WIN which I have shot everything with including cats, wild dogs, crows, pigs, donkey's, wild horses, camels & scrub bulls. I couldn't imagine ever owning a .308 up here everyone has them but most can't shoot them. I know there is the arguments about the choices of projectiles etc but I only use 2 loads 130gn Nosler Ballistic Tips & 150gn Partitions in the .270 and everything I've shot hasn't lived to notice any difference. The best part is I can use both loads without adjusting my scope as the drop out to 400 meters or so isn't noticeable. I did own a .300 WIN MAG which I used a lot on scrub bulls, camels & a couple of buffalo but I couldn't seat my bullets out enough in the magazine and I never seemed to use it as much as the flat shooting .270.

[Jack V]

I fail to see how anyone could say a 308 is hard to shoot and a 270 is not . When a 270 has more recoil than a 308 generally .

[Warrigul]

I would put my money on the .270 over the .308 if you had to do a few different chores.

Either calibre is honest, I have had much more to do with the .308 but still hold a lot of respect for the .270.

[VICHunter]

Mmmm is there any advantage to a larger calibre in distances under 150m and in the scrub?

You're really splitting hairs here mate.

.308 or .270 are both more than enough for fallow. More than enough.

Both are common, plenty of factory ammo, components available, blah blah blah.

.270 shoots a tiny bit flatter at the cost of using a bit more powder. That's about the only difference.

[Swarm]

I fail to see how anyone could say a 308 is hard to shoot and a 270 is not . When a 270 has more recoil than a 308 generally .

Agreed.

If you can shoot one of those you can shoot the other one.

[Goshawk]

Excellent,
I'll be ordering a 308w tikka t3 lite, I'll throw my 3-9x50 Meopta on top. Should only weigh 3.4kgs.
Now, 130gr ttsx, 150gr interbond or something in the 168gr range...?

[deye243]

talk about over gunned there only fallow get a 243 or a 25-06 both will give you a dead deer at close and medium (500y) range

[VICHunter]

talk about over gunned there only fallow get a 243 or a 25-06 both will give you a dead deer at close and medium (500y) range

You're right, except it does limit goshawk to only hunting the smaller breeds. If in time he wants to hunt Sambar he wouldn't legally be able to with 243 or 25-06.

.308 covers all his bases so it's still a good pick.

[RDobber]

Now, 130gr ttsx, 150gr interbond or something in the 168gr range...?

Go the 130gr. Will shoot flatter, have less recoil and a bit less meat loss than the 150gr or 168gr.

130gr is plenty for Fallow, you definitely do not need something as heavy as 150gr or more.

[Harper]

+1 above.

150gr for fallow is quickly becoming over kill.

Any heavier is getting a bit silly....

[Goshawk]

I have a 243 and have put a few fallow in the freezer with it but it's a 24 inch heavy barrel Howa and weighs a ton. Plus, I have seen a couple of sambar and big reds, the 243 feels way too small.
Hence, the 308.

[AusC]

Plus, I have seen a couple of sambar and big reds, the 243 feels way too small.
Hence, the 308.

True, there are Sambar and there are Sambar.

.243 for a 150kg Sambar would be fine (though illegal, so not done) but then you've got your 500kg bucks.

Puts a spin on getting a "Sambar hunting rifle"

If going one size fits all better to go bigger with the .308

[FuzzyM]

Ammo selection is definitely good for the .308.
I realised how pricey decent .303 ammo is after I bought one!
I will be getting into reloading at some point though.

[jays]

I realised how pricey decent .303 ammo is after I bought one!

I suppose it's just as cheap to reload though once you get some brass.

[Grandpa_Halfdime]

Best all around is the .30-06. Same bullets as .308 / 7.62x51mm (well, you can go heavier for dangerous game with .30-06, aka 7.62x63mm) but larger choice on types of powders / loads.
As for kick you can choose different powders/loads for different bullet weights and different game.
As for the .270, its a shorter range version of the .30-06 due to lower bullet mass.

[Farmjer]

Get a dice and write a bunch of cartridges on it.

270
.280
7mm-08
308
30-06

Roll it, whatever lands is good

[AlanK]

As for the .270, its a shorter range version of the .30-06 due to lower bullet mass.

Shorter range? I don't know about that.

Better BC for the same weight would send it further.

Either way, for deer hunting here so either is going to be plenty.

[headspace]

I managed to cover all bases with a 308, 270 and 243, but if I was hunting Sambar it would most likely be the 308 with 165gn Interlocks. I like the 243 for Fallow and goats, but the 270 with 140 SST's pretty much covers everything.
JD

[Mick280]

What is the cut of point on the Game Councils deer size and weight scale that I can legally take animals with my .257 Wby Mag ?
Reason I ask is , I've Taken Fallow with it , But a couple of years ago I went to the SCI Convention and Show over in Coffs Harbour and was talking to a hunt operator from Sth Africa who was telling me that quiet a few of his clients are using Roy's Favourite to take rather large plains game over there and proven to be very successful.
Mick

[Walt68]

.338 Winchester Magnum.

[chacka]

.338 Winchester Magnum.

He did say "mostly fallow"

Easy there big fella

[Goshawk]

Hi all,
Well, in the end I settled on a Browning A-bolt in 308w. Nice and lite, accurate and got it at a good price.

mms_20150508_190116.jpg (311.17 KiB) Viewed 7483 times

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Shot my first buck on private property at 7m.... Probably didn't need a 308w at that distance...

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Another for the freezer, 40m shot.

My plan for the rifle is the get it cut down to 18, probably put a brake on it and put a Vortex red dot on top.

[fawksel]

Great work mate

7m eh...... Ninja stealth skills there

[Chickenhawk]

Gratz Goshawk

[Goshawk]

Great work mate

7m eh...... Ninja stealth skills there

Lol, I was a bow hunter for 25 years so I can put my 'be a sneaky mother fooker on' when needed. But in this case the silly thing came running up a creek line and stopped right in front of me.