what is the best caliber to take deer sized game at ranges of 300-450 yards. excluding all of the 7mm's except the 7mm-08, .280,30-06, the WSM's any 300 and the 270.
so i was thinking the .308, 7mm-08, 243, 25-06, 260 remington, 257 roberts.
ORIGINAL: redsox3624
what is the best caliber to take deer sized game at ranges of 300-450 yards. excluding all of the 7mm's except the 7mm-08, .280,30-06, the WSM's any 300 and the 270.
so i was thinking the .308, 7mm-08, 243, 25-06, 260 remington, 257 roberts.
which would you chose?
Given as you have excluded the 7mm mag (?), the 270Win., and the WSMs, etc., from those you appear to be thinking of I'd have to recommend the 25-06 for deer size game
at extended ranges of over 300yds.
I don't recommend anyone take shots at over 300yds, but the 25-06 has the ballistics to handle it - IF THE HUNTER/SHOOTER CAN HANDLE IT (most can't).
I would never feel comfortable with a 300 yard shot from my 308. Every time the situation ever arised, I just couldn't get a good rest, or wind was not comfortable. I also want a tad more velocity. I like the WSM's. And like my 7mmSTW I just got. 270win might be perfect.
um.......well not trying to bust on ya, but I dont understand the reasoning for you deducting some of these calibers. I guess sticking to your criteria, I would say the 25-06 with a 115 gr partiton (for shooting 300+ yrds) now my own personal opinion, if I know I have the potential for 300+ yrds, give me a 300 Remington Ultra Mag. ( If sighted in +1.5 @100 yrds it will only be -2" at 300 yrds) what flatter shooting gun with that whallop would you want?
Of the choices you left open I would have to go with a 25-06. My favorite WT cartridge is the 270 Win.I hope you know what you're doing when you're taking 300-450 yards shots.Those are longer then I would ever attempt.I won't take a shot unless I know I can make it.I don't believe in the shoot and pray theory.
Ruger Redhawk
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The 280 Rem. and the 270 Win. are as close as any two cartridges we have, their ballistic twins when simular bullets weights are used. The 280 Rem. does have an advantage if you want to use heavier bullets like 165 gr. or 175 gr. For deer hunting a 130 gr., 140 gr. or 150 gr. from either of these is really tough to beat! Most people have no business shooting past 300 or 350 yards! 450 yards is a really long shot! Having said that I would go with either of these two cartridges. Personally I like the 280 Rem. Any of the WSM's will work really well too!
ask the army what caliber is best for long ranges theyll tell u the 308 all the snipers use this caliber id never trade mine in.......i once picked a flea of a dogs back at a 1000 yds
I agree that the 270 and the 280 would work. I've done it with the 270. However, I practice a lot and shoot regularly out to 300 yds.
I'm not sure what kind of marksman you are and when you are shooting at the ranges you mentioned there are alot of other things that come into play, especially wind drift.
If you are seriously planning on shooting deer at these extreme ranges (not knowing the "lay of the land" that you are hunting) I would be more inclined to purchase a 300 win mag or 300 WSM and use 180 gr spire pt. bullets. The BC and SD of these bullets is very good and the cartridges are more than capable of taking deer at these ranges.
My advice, try to keep your ranges under the 300 yd mark. Both you and your rifle have to be capable of making these shots.
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RE: the best caliber
I have to agree with NEW YORK HUNTER the 280 is probley the best cal .
Most hunters with hunting rifles in the feild have no busness shooting past about 300 yds.
I am a member of a club with a 500 yd back stop , we had 12"gongs at 200-500 yds at 50 yd steps.
The 400,450 and 500 yd gongs were hit MAYBE 1/2 of the time by hunters off sand bags on a bench .
When a 10-15 MPH cross wind came up that droped to 1/3 of the time .
That is except for a handfull of guys that practiced weekly at longer ranges year round!
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280. That will do the job well. 300 yards is my maximum range and I would only do that in a pinch. I like 200 yards a lot better. However with practice and knowing your rifle, some peopls can shoot further.
the best caliber
