O.K. Folks...I'm in the market for a new deer/hog rifle. I'm a lefty, and want a left handed bolt action....so that in itself narrows my choices down...butI could usesome input on caliber.
I'm not new to hunting or guns, just been out of the woods too long and I'm determined to get back.
I'm trying to decide between the .270, .30-06, 7mm. Rem. Mag., and MAYBE the .300 Win. Mag.
If it was JUST deer....the .270 would be my choice...but where I hunt we have lots of hogs...big ones! Hogs killed that weight over 400 lbs. in our area are not rare. Most are in the 200lb.-300lb. range for a big one.
So..just trying to get some feedback on which caliber you folks would choose for deer and hogs/BIG hogs.....I only mention the 7Mag and 300 Win. Mag. because I've seen how effective they are on some of the bigger hogs. That .300 will flatten them!....but recoil is pretty stout.
Most people use a lot more caliber than is necessary to get the job done. In the last few years I have been using a 7x57 Mauser and love the low recoil and it has taken 4 deer, and a cow elk as well as several coyotes. My primary caliber has always been a 270 Winchester but frankly the recoil even from that is twice what the 7x57 feels like. I use 140 gr SP chronographed at 28oo fps. This load is good for out to 300 yards and frankly I never have had to shoot any game past that distance. The belted magnums are pretty much over rated and if you don't believe that get a chronograph and check them yourself. Also the 7x57 killed more elephants than any other caliber but with a 175 gr military bullet. If you don't handload get a 270 and use 150 gr. bullets. I prefer 130 gr. The largest hog I ever shot was with a 223 when I was squirrel hunting. Rember shot placement is the most important aspect in any hunting.
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will trade houseboat and guided fishing trip on Lake Shasta, CA for pig hunting in Norther CA.
I seen 270's flatten big hogs. I agree shot placement is key. I have a 7 mag and I just plain don't like it. 270 is my go to gun from sika deer to elk.
My only real "concern" with the .300 Winny is it's recoil. Not so much the punch on the shoulder but getting caught over the eye with the scope.
I've shot the .270, .30-06, and 7 Mag quite a bit over the years and dont have any problems with their recoil.
Just wondering how much of a jump I would see going from the 7 Mag to the .300 in the same rifle.
I want to thank all of ya'll for your opinions and advice. Kinda' makes me realize that the "best" caliber out of the 3 I listed is probably........the oneyou have the most confidence in.....so I'll change my question up a tad.
If you had a 400 lb. hog standing broadside at 100 yards and you wanted to put a bullet through both shoulders to anchor him on the spot.....would you rather be shooting.
1. a 06' with a 165gr. or 180gr. partition
or
2. a 7 Mag. with a 150gr. or 160gr. partition
I seriously doubt if the hog would be able to tell the difference, but just curious what you folks who have more experience on the terminal performace of these 2 calibers/loads on tough animals.
Thanks again for all the input! Ya'll are really helping me to come to a decision
Haven't taken a hog over 400# but have 6 from 140# to 340# and none went more than 20 yards. The gun (Savage 22-250), the bullet (Barnes 53gr. Solid Copper, TripleShock). It just flat knocks the stuffing out of them. Want to keep you recoil down, go with the .270 or consider the 25-06. You don't need a cannon to shoot hogs, what you need is shot placement & penetration!!!
CALIBER QUANDRY......HELP!
