Gun help please?

Question

I am asking for a new deer rifle this year for christmas, and I dont know what to get. I have heard that the 7mm-08 is a great round, but I also heard that the .270 is a great round (I am currently shooting a .243). What is your opinion on the right rifle for white-tailed deer for shots to at least 400 yards? A specific model would be appreciated. Thank you very much.

Answer 1

Remington PSS in 270 WM is a great rifle. Shoots very flat, and very accurate. Get a nice VariX III 2-10 or something and youll be very happy.

Answer 2

Shots of at least 400 yards? Or do you mean up to 400 yards? "to at least 400 yards" is an awkward measurement. Either way, 400 yards is a long way off.

I use an old Springfield U.S Model 1903 in 30-06. I have a friend who uses a Remington Model 700 also in 30-06. Both are deer slayers at long ranges. The Remington .308 is also a proven long range round.

I think the .243 and the 7mm are a little underpowered for that distance. The .270 is a little better, but I still prefer the heavier round.

You are going to get a million different opinions on this question. As many different opinions as there are different cartridges.

Good luck.

Answer 3

If you are accustomed to the .243, the 7mm-08 would be the logical choice, as the increase in recoil is minimal and the bolt-throw will be the same. The .270, on the other hand, is noticeably sharper both of recoil and report, and offers no advantage over the ballistically superior .280 other than easy availability of ammo. If you want to make the jump to a long-action calibre, the .280 is the way to go, as their 7mm bullets have the edge, even over the .30cal., at long range. Still, 400 yards is a LONG way to attempt a shot at anything other than a paper target or an enemy sniper.

But of your two choices, I'd go 7mm.08, in a Remington 700.

Answer 4

The 7mm-08, the .308 (parent case for the 7mm-08), the .270, .25-06 or .30-06 are all 400 yard shooters. You have to do your part, though. Any of those are stellar deer guns. I favor the .25-06 when I'm strictly hunting deer, but that's just me. I also favor the Remington family of rifles. Can't beat the Model 700 in any configuration or caliber.

Best.

H

Answer 5

I tried a lot of different and good cartridges over the years. I setteled on a winchester model 70 featherweight rifle chambered in .270 winchester. I followed the career of Jack O'Conner ( the father of hunting with the .270) and use his old load in my rifle. I have used it very successfully for many many years now, it is mostly a 1 shot kill rifle, and I have taken more mule deer than I can remember, a lot of elk, many black bears and even hogs with it. I use a 150 sierra boat tail spitzer bullet on everything except antelope( I use a 130 grain bullet for them). My 150 grain bullet will shoot farther, flatter, and faster than a 30-06 with a 168 grain bullet.
My longest shot ever on game was in wyoming on a guided elk hunt. On a perfect day, from a support (my pack on a rock) I made a 600 yard shot on a bull elk. Would I try that agin now? no, I probably couldn't see 600 yards!! but back then I was on top of my game and conditions were perfect. For a 400 yard shot on a white tail deer, I would not hesitate to do it with my .270 unless it was pretty windy, in which case I would not try it with any rifle or cartridge. In my humble opinion, you cannot go wrong with a rifle chambered in .270 winchester. Jack harvested every north american animal with it, and used it in africa as well for plains game and even a leopard.

Answer 6

I'm going to say .270 for a variety of reasons. It is a respectable caliber for dear hunting and is konwn for being a reasonably flat shooting caliber. The same can be said for the 7mm-08 but .270 has some additional advantages. The .270 ammunition is common and can be purchased at almost any place that sells ammo (in fact, I know of no store that sells ammo that doesn't carry .270). 7mm-08 was a wildcat based off .308 casings necked down to 7mm; they will be more pricey and more difficult to find. If you go on a hunting trip and run out of cartridges or manage to forget them, you may not easily find a seller. If you ever get into reloading, .270 dies are easy to find; you will have to look around for affordable 7mm-08 dies.

Answer 7

I don't see the sense in taking shots at unwounded game at 400 yards: better to learn to hunt better.
Both the 270 and the 7mm are as capable as anything at normal hunting ranges, including the 400 yard followup that you might need. And I do wish the 308 fans would learn their long-range ballistics. The 7mm08 begins to outstrip the 308 when you get to 400. I play with a 270 (WSM, but what the heck), and it's pretty impressive with 150 grain bullets, but handloading 7mm08 with the wonderful hunting bullets available is akin to magic. On the other hand, the factory loads for the latter are somewhat limited, so if you don't handload, it would come down to whether the short action has an appeal as it does to some.

Answer 8

I would buy the .270. It has a flatter trajectory and it is ample for putting down deer. Also, in all my experiences, you can find more .270 shells than you can 7mm-08. You could try some of the new Savages with the accu-trigger, or just go with the simple rem. 700. If levers are more your thing try a new Browning BLR, any of them I have seen are very smooth to operate and very accurate.

Answer 9

Based on your choices the .270 would be the better choice. At 400 yards it will have sufficient energy to take a whitetail if the shooter is up to the task. My experience with this caliber spans 30 years and I've taken game up to the size of an Alaskan moose with this caliber.

Answer 10

7mm -08 and 270 are good choices you should also consider the 30-06, personally i would choose the 30-06 or the 270