Remington 7mm-08 or the .270

[whitebait]

Hey Guys this is my first post im limited in my knowledge when it comes to firearms and ive found myself needing some help.
Im about to buy my First rifle and i want something that will hit hard im tossing up Between the 7mm-08 or the .270.
From what ive read the .270 fires around 300 fps faster is this true?

[HighDesertWolf]

in the same grain weight the 270 actually shoots only about 100 fps faster then a 7mm-08, Id take the 7mm-08 over the 270 for one reason alone its available in heavier bullets then a 270. with a 270 you are limited to 150 grain bullets or lighter with the 7mm-08 you can load up to a 175 grain bullet . other then that they both hit hard and are both very accurate cartridges.

[whitebait]

Its to be used for Hunting Deer in New Zealand so there will be no bear elk or whales shot with this thing

Although the Red Deer do get rather large, Would you say the .270 with a 150 grain bullet would Have a large enough effective diameter for a begginer who probably wont hit the perfect spot every time?

[Todd1700]

Well it depends on which weight bullet you use. A 150 grain bullet from a 270 and a 140 grain bullet from a 7mm-08 will actually be pretty close in speed from most factory loads. If you use a 130 grain bullet in the 270 (and many people do) it will be about 300 fps faster than the 140 grain 7mm-08 bullet in most factory loads.

You did not state what the primary use of this rifle will be but for deer sized game either are a fine choice. The 7mm-08 will have a little less recoil. The 270 with a 130 grain bullet will shoot a little flatter. A 270 is one of the most popular calibers nationwide so the edge goes to it as far as availability of cartridges. If a store only stocks two calibers of centerfire rifle shells you can bet one of them will probably be a .270 but 7mm-08 shells are by no means hard to find either.
The 7mm-08 is a short action shell meaning it can be chambered in a smaller lighter rifle if that appeals to you.

Good luck on your choice but you won't be displeased with either of them.

[Todd1700]

Whoops, you came back and listed the primary use while I was typing. How big do red deer get?

[stubblejumper]

I personally prefer the 7mm's over the 270's due to bullet selection.The 7mm-08 is a fine choice for all around hunting and if you want more power or a flatter trajectory,I would step up to the 7mmremmag.

[48thguns]

A big Stag is nearly the size of a bull elk. My nod goes to the 7mm08. I'm with High desert wolf on this one. The 175 gr bullet would be ideal medicine for a Stag. Rationale:

270, 150 gr SP MV=2800fps 100yd energy=2232, 200yd=1899, 300yd=1610 (BC=.443)

7mm08, 175 gr SP MV=2600fps 100yd energy=2282, 200yd=1976, 300yd=1708(BC=.506)

Sighted in zero at 200, at 300 yds, 270= 8 in low, 7mm08= 9 in low. I would take the extra 100 foot pounds of energy, milder recoil, short action and lighter weight over the 1 inch drop. I've seen the mountains of New Zealand...reminds me of the Alps. Good luck in your search. Regards, Rick.

[PaJack]

My vote is for the 7mm-08 also...

Hey Guys this is my first post im limited in my knowledge when it comes to firearms and ive found myself needing some help.
Im about to buy my First rifle and i want something that will hit hard im tossing up Between the 7mm-08 or the .270.
From what ive read the .270 fires around 300 fps faster is this true?

Red deer won't know a lick of difference between the two. Comes down to ammo availability. I like short actions myself. But it wouldn't care to hunt either.

[Superpig]

Since you are buying your first rifle I will assume that you aren't a handloader. I would buy the 270 because there are a plethora of factory loads available for this rifle. As stated by another you can handload 175 grainers for the 7MM-08 but the long bullets protrude so far in the 7MM-08 case you will only get abouth 2400 fps of velocity. For the 270 if you handload you can get a 160 gr. bullet for it. I don't know of any 175 gr. factory ammo for the 7MM-08 or of a factory 160 for the 270. There are many controlled expansion bullets available for the 270 ranging from 130-150 gr. and Red Deer are smaller than North American elk so I think you will be fine with a controlled expansion bullet in the 140 to 150 gr. range. Look to Winchester Supreme 140 gr Fail Safe, Federal Premium loads the Barnes X, Trophy Bonded, & Nosler Partition, & I believe Remington still loads the 140 Grain A-Frame in its lineup.