James B

There is a world of difference between the 243 and the 308. The range of bullet weights being one. Much more ME with the heavier bullets is the main one. The 280 if you handload has many more bullet options than the 270 and is really just plain more gun. The 280 is about as good as it gets for what you are looking for. I think its available in the A bolt. I know it was anyway because my hunting buddy has one. The 270, 280, 308 and 30-06 will all do just what you want to do. The 30-06 is really more gun that needed for deer but sure has done the job well. I have an A-Bolt in 308 and it works just great. I also have a 270 and as a pure deer rifle it just can't be beat. The 280 offers a little more versitility and is suitable for long range hunting. I would be happy out in the field with any of the above cartridges.

New York Hunter

If I was limited to just one deer rifle, me personally I would choose a 270 Win., 280 Rem., or a 30-06 Spr. and out of the three I would and didgo with the 280 Rem. then I'd go witha 30-06 Spr. then a 270Win. You're not going to go wrong with any of these three cartridges.I just think these three are the most versatile deer and black bear rounds out there. I also have a 308 Win. andI would never get rid of it, I have shot more deer with my 308 Win then any otherrifle I own, but I'm not limited to just one rifle!

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shaftnem

Any of these calibers are plenty capable of consistently taking deer at 300 yds. It really is just personal preference. One thing to consider regarding the .243 is the relatively small grain bullets. This round is going to be less likely to consistenly produce good exit holes, especially at longer range. That's going to make bloodtrailing more difficult. I'm not saying it won't kill a deer. It will kill one asdead as anything else. There's nothing wrong with it, but it wouldn't be my pick. I think the larger calibers are more forgiving, should bad shotplacement occur. Between the .280 and the .308, I really don't know what to tell you. I've killed deer with both. They both work fine. The .280 is a little faster and little flatter, making it a little more forgiving should you misjudge the range. That would probably be what I went with, but the .308 is the most tryed and true of any caliber. It will certainly get the job done.

Scott Gags

Of the cartridges mentioned I would use the .308. You can get factory ammo up to 3000 FPS with horndy light magnum ammo. This puts the MPBR at approx 300 yards which means point and shoot at your worst case senario described in your original post. The gun will now use the short action which is lighter and 30 caliber bullet leaves a larger wound path.

PS: It sounds like you are solid on the A-Bolt rifle. If so and you are leaning toward the 7mm you may want to consider the 270 WSM the gune is nearly a pound lighter and the 270 shoots flatter.

Sniper151

308 Bama. Very accurate and a good selection of loads available to cover any game at any range in the great State of Alabama.

James B

The 280 has plenty of powder capacity to handle the 175 grain bullets. I have had three 280's and shot plenty of big game with the 175 grain bullets. The 280 is one of the most underrated cartridges out there and in real life gives up almost nothing to the 7MM Mag. One of my 280 would reach higher velocities without pressure signs than a 7 Mag that I had at the same time.

mallard81

I would say 30-06 would be ur best bet.

Rebel Hog

Shooting mostly in clearings? .270

handloader1

7mm Rem. Mag. Good luck.