Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

Know the brand rifle I want now just need to decide on the caliber. My range will be out to 250yds.The choices offered are: 270 Wby Mag/30.06/300 Win Mag/308/7mm Rem Mag/7mm 08 Rem. Let' s here your opinions....Thanks for the feedback..Back40:)

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

Personally I would forgo the 270 Weatherby Mag. Not because it is a bad cartridge, but it can be expensive if you don' t reload. Besides, the 300 Win Mag, 270 Weat Mag, and 7mm Rem Mag are really a bit much for strictly a whitetail cartridge. Again, all are fine cartridges and if going after elk or something then the fit the bill. As far as the 30-06, 308 Win, 7mm-08 Rem choice I would choose the 7mm-08. Less recoil than the 308 and 06, plus it is flatter than both and has great sectional density and downrange ballistics. Funny you didn' t mention a 270 Win being available.

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

what about the 25-06 or the 243 , both great cal. for whitetail.

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

My vote would be for the 308

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

I fell the 30/06 is the most versatell calaber that is known at these time my vot goes to the 30/06

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

I would probably choose the 308 or the 7mm 08.
Both are excellent whitetail cartidges with less recoil than the others listed.

Either would be more economical to reload than the others, so you could afford to shoot more.
Both these calibers are available in short action bolt guns which have good handling characteristics.

Clint

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

I also have to give my vote to the 30.06, tried and true!:D

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

30-06 would be my first choice. 338-08 or 35-Whelen would be an even better first choice, if you handload? IMHO

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

I' d go with the 30-06 too. From me to you, you don' t feel the recoil at all when you' re shooting at a deer. ;)

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

The 7mm-08 is the perfect whitetail cartridge.

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

For Whitetails I like the .270 Win.It' s always done a good job for me.
Ruger Redhawk

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

My vote goes to the old 270 win as well. It has done everything I have asked of it.

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

If your shots won' t be any longer than 250 yards and you plan to hunt nothing bigger than whitetails then I' d rule out all the magnums you mentioned. There' s nothing major wrong with them but the cartridges are more expensive , they have much greater recoil which makes recreational shooting less fun and at 250 yards or less they don' t outperform the others on your list by enough of a margin to really matter. Set a 308, 7mm-08 or a 30-06 about 1 inch high at 100 yards with a bullet in the 140 to150 gr range and you can aim at the center of the kill zone on a whitetail 250 yards away and the bullet won' t come close to dropping enough to matter. In my personal opinion I think the 7mm-08 may be the absolute perfect whitetail round. Very accurate, low recoil, relatively flat shooting, ammo is widely available and it drops whitetails like a lightening bolt.

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

Well, I bought my first 308 back in Febuary. I' m rather impressed with it. I wish I had got it 10 years ago. Its a flat shooting gun that can and will reach out to 200---300---and 500 yards---or more if you want a snipe gun. As for Deer hunting, the reason I bought it, I' m using 150 grain ballistic tip rounds. I' ve shot 2 deer with it so far, and both shots have been on the money. I have owned a 7mm, 30/06, and still hunt with my 30-30 on occassions. I will probably get another 30/06 and 7mm only because I like the variety. The decision as to which one is next, hasn' t yet been made.

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

.308

Filled both my tags with mine opening day. Tried and true cartridge, ammo is everywhere and cheap. The round is our sniper cartridge, flat shooting and a reputation for unequaled accuracy.

BTW I used Blackhills 165 gr (or 168 not sure) Nosler Ballistic tips. Both deer dropped in their tracks. No need for anymore power for whitetails and the cartridge will outlive us all as opposed to the flavors of the month.

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

I personally like the .270 Win. But if i were to pick one that you mentioned it would be the 7mm08

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

I' d have to go with those who say the 7MM-08 is the ultimate deer round! It has all you' d ever need for any deer, flat shooting, hard hitting and low recoil too!

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

Don' t forget the .260 Rem, either. About the same killing power as the 7mm-08, .308, .270, .25-06, .280 and even the .30-' 06, but with less recoil then all of them. Mighty accurate, too. It just may be the perfect deer cartridge.

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

You cant dismiss the 270. Its a great round. It is also versital. Whitetail to varmint. My vote is to 270. You say you know what brand, are you going to tell us so we can give input on that?

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

If you are only hunting whitetail deer or game not exceeding 500 lbs, then I would go with the 7mm-08. This rifle has low recoil and will reliably kill game under 500 lbs. There are quite a few factory loads available for this round ranging from 120-160 grains. In the hands of a cool shot that can wait until an animal is broadside the caliber is adequate for elk.

If you' re buying a rifle for an all around gun I would buy the 30-06. You can use 150 gr. loads for deer and step up to premium loadings of 180 gr for elk.

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

If it' s not offered in a 25-06,I would pick the 7mm-08...;)

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

260 would be my choice.

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

I really like the 25.06 as well as the 30.06. It all depends on what factors you want to take into consideration. If you do nto reload, then ammo is a big factor and you can find much more ammo choices in 30.06 than any other caliber. If you reload, then that' s not a factor and I would go with a 25.06 or the 260.

I currently hunt with a 25.06 and a 30.06, but will be looking to get a 260 barrel for my T/C Encore rifle within the next year or so.

Matt

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

.308 Excellent at 250 yards!!

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

For whitetails out 300 270 win, 2506, 308 or 7mm08 all would fit the bill nicely. No real need for a mag or a 3006 for deer only. If you want a bigger gun for extra distance, ability, game or just because I would say the 7 rem mag or the 300 win mag. The 7 rem mag will be cheaper to by shells for over the counter and give you a higher BC. The 300 will give you a choice of large grain bullets if dangerous game is a possibilty and more umf downrange for shooting large game at longer distance. Personally I use 7 rem mag for my all arounder and am 100% satisfied, it has taken a number of deer at ranges from 50-350, varmits at over 300-500, elk & moose from 40 to 200. IMO as versitile and I think better than the 3006 for my purpose.

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

I shoot a 308. Exellent cartridge, easy to find bullets at reasonable prices.

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

I don' t know ,the 7mm has a pretty flat trajectory.

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

Bigbuck270...I' m a lefty and have decided on a Tikka Whitetail Hunter. I plan on adding a Leupold VXIII 3x10 50mm.

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

dont go 30.06 blew the ass of a deer with that gun and havnt used it on deer since!



kill em quick

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

I shot a lot of deer with a 30/06 but never blew the ass out of one,I allways put it behind the front shoulder.:D

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

.308 IF YOU DONT MIND THE RECOIL GET THE 300WIN MAG. I HAVE ONE OF EACH AND OUT TO 250 YRDS THE WOUND CHANNEL ON WHITETAIL IS ALMOST THE SAME AND THAT IS WHAT REALLY COUNTS .


THERE BODY IS A LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR THERE ANTLERS

RE: Which Caliber for Whitetail?
 

I going to put in a vote for the 7mm Rem mag or 300 Win . Mostly because I own and use both and have great respect for them . The 7mm / 140 gr bullet combo shoots flat with manageable recoil , With 160 gr bullets it will handle the bigger stuff if your needs change. I don' t hunt with my 7mm much anymore but when I do I load it with 160 gr Partions. I hunt mostly with a 300 Win mag. loaded with 180 gr. Partions even though the 300 / 165 gr bullet combo shoots a little flatter with slightly less recoil . Recoil would be the only down side off this caliber I don' t mind it but I understand how some people could find it a bit much . If you handload , either of these could be downloaded to match other calibers mentioned . I understand both these calibers are thought to be overkill buy many and I agree you don' t need this much gun most of the time . I hunt Canada alot and for those huge canadian bucks a little overkill is a comforting thing for me . Good luck with whatever you decide ..................KH