.270 or .25-06?

[TerryM]

I feel the need for a new rifle. This will be for deer and antelope nothing bigger, my 7mm mag and .350 mag handle the heavyweights nicely. Would you go with a .25-06 or a .270? Thinking 100gr bullets for antelope and 115 for deer. The .270 would likely use 130 for both. I am quite confident in my shooting out to 400 yds but thats pretty well my comfort zone limit. One advantage that .25 would give is that its legal for varmint hunting near home while the .270 is not ( don't ask its a stupid law but can't change that). Do you think there is a real advantage with the .270 vs .25-06 on mule deer size game when loading both with premiums?

[KonaBoy]

I'd go with the .270, just because of more power and a flatter shooting. Like the 25-06 though too. Either one would do the job fine though, you choice.

[dead_eye]

Either will get'er done.

[FL/GA Hunter]

I'm a .270oholic, so it's tough not to tell you to use it every time. I think in your situation, I'd get the .25 because it's such a different caliber from the other two, rather than the .270 which is closer to the 7 mag. Also, like you said, then you could turn around and varmint hunt with it. The only problems I have with it are the .270 ammo's so danged cheap, and I'd prefer to have the .270 for mulies, though either will get the job done. Besides, if you move up to mulies and the .25's not doing the job, you can just dust off the 7 mag.

[James B]

If you are talking deer hunting and nothing bigger for this rifle then It don't make much difference. The 25-06 is a great deer rifle and a very good Varmit rifle as well. The 270 will do both both jobs as well but it a bit powerful for varmits. They use the same case however and varmit type bullets are available for both. My choice would be the 25-06 if elk and bigger animals are not on your radar.

[Todd1700]

I own a 25-06 so yeah I'm a tad biased but I love it. You won't see any disadvantage on deer compared to a 270. A 270 won't do anything to a deer that a 25-06 won't do except kick you more when you shoot him. A 25-06 with a 115 grain nosler partition is deadly on deer sized game and shoots just as flat as a 270 with a 130 grain bullet. I can't imagine a better open country Antelope caliber than a 25-06.

If the choice was deer + bigger game I'd say 270 because of it's ability to handle a 150 grain bullet if need be, but if you want a caliber for whitetails, muledeer, antelope + possibly varmits I'd say 25-06.

[CanWoodsman]

I am also a 25.06 owner and all I can say is Todd1700 said it perfectly.

Best Wishes on Your Choice

[SD Shooter]

There is a great article by Chuck Hawks at the following site:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_killing_power.htm

Even if you don't agree on some of his comments, it is a terrific accumulation of knowledge and is very thought provoking.

On a personal note, I have been shooting a 25-06 for the past 29 years. It has killed more deer than I can count. I have killed a couple of deer and an elk with a .270. So either one will get the job done. It's all about the skill of the shooter and most importantly - SHOT PLACEMENT!

Good luck on your selection,

SD Shooter

[Fiahblade]

Shot Placement indeed.

But if it was me .270 all the way. Im a huge fan.

[ir655]

I think a 270 would be too close to your 7mm Mag, so I would go for the .25-06.