270 -or- 270 WSM -or- 7mm Mag
 

I've read through hundreds of posts here; although this has been alluded to, I haven't seen it directly addressed -- so bear with me.

I need a hunting rifle (or 2 or 3). I've only got one gun now. Since I recently moved from slug-country Minnesota, you can probably guess what it is -- 870 Express.

Now I'm in South Dakota, and last year I went after muleys. I tagged my buck with a buddy's 7mm Mag.

Now I need to get my own stuff. I've taken billions of rabbits and prairie dogs in the past with 22LR open sight and small scopes.

I want to hunt everything now, including prairie dog, coyote, deer, elk, hopefully moose and maybe game goats/sheep. (Oh, and of course pheasant, grouse, duck goose, but a bit off-topic.)

So, I know I'm gonna get something like a 22-250 in the next year of so. And someday, depending on what tags I draw and/or hunting trips I get to take, I might buy something like a 300 WSM. But right now I need a mule deer rifle. I plan to hunt the same area; it's pretty open -- grasslands, prairie and hills with fairly sparse brushy cover. Last year shots were a bit long, so a 200 yard rifle is probably really the minimum -- a predictable range of 300 yards is more like it. And no, I won't take any crazy 500 yard, shoot-hard-and-pray shots.

My buddy say's get a 7mm mag like his. I'm a U.S. "medium" -- e.g. 190 - 200 lbs and and I'm not a flincher. I didn't real mind the recoil of the 7mm mag. At the same time I would like to carry something lighter, but I don't want it to get squirrely. And, a bit less recoil would be just fine. So I was thinking 270 -- but that seems a bit short on predictable range. 270 WSM seems to have very similar ballistics to the 7mm mag, albeit you can't get quite as big a projectile on the top end. I think I could save a pound or so with a shorter action 270 WSM. My buddy, however, says if I go 7mm mag I will be able to easily load up to elk and even moose so I might not ever need a bigger gun.

Other factors:

I plan ahead, so ready availibility of ammo at the nearest mom-and-pop isn't a huge deal to me. I won't go through 100's of rounds a year (like I will with a 22-250) so modest increases in per cartridge cost isn't all that big a deal -- and I'll probably choose a "premium" load in any of these calibers, so the differences won't be as big -- plus, maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like 270 WSM is catching on so availibility might go up and costs might come closer together. FWIW, I have no plans to get into reloading.

I've looked at and and handled nearly every maker's guns. I'm leaning towards a Sako 75 Stainless Synthetic if I go 7mm mag, or maybe the Finnlight model if I go 270 or 270 WSM. I'd consider a Remington 700 series -- probably BDL SS DM if I go 7mm mag or maybe a mountain or even titanium if I went 270. I might consider a Tikka just because it seems like such a good value, but I prefer the Sako.

I'm 98% sure it will have a Zeiss Conquest in either 3-9x40 (probably) or 3.5-10x44 (maybe) sitting on top of it.

So, first, if anyone has read through all this -- WOW, thanks!

And so, the big question:

Which one should I buy -- 270, 270 WSM or 7mm Mag?

P.S. I'm really not trying to drag everyone into a which gun is best/which cartridge is best thread -- I've gone through hundreds already -- I really just have one question. But any thing you want to add is ok with me! :)

RE: 270 -or- 270 WSM -or- 7mm Mag
 

270 Win and 270 WSM are pretty close ..I don't think there is 100 fps difference with the 130 grain bullet provided they both have 24" barrels. Plenty of Elk are killed with 270's every year although it would not be my first preference for that purpose. You can expect 2950-3000 with a 160 grain bullet in the 7 Rem mag and that will work although you may not see a noticeable if any increase in killing power over the 270's when used on Elk. I like the Sako 75 SS and think its a wise choice . I also own Remington BDL SS and like them as well in fact I just purchased one in 7 Rem mag. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice in rifles. I would also suggest a 7 WSM but your going to go Winchester or Browning in that chambering.

RE: 270 -or- 270 WSM -or- 7mm Mag
 

I hunt mule deer in western SD. I have taken the most deer with my 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser. Your right about the range. Where I hunt you can expect most of your shots at the 200-250 yards. Over the years I have only shot past 300 yard maybe three or four times. I have rifle and Muzzle loader permite for the Area North Of Wall SD. I have a small farm there. My wife is working in ND so I am up here most of the time. Of the rifles you mentioned I would opt for the 270 WSM.

RE: 270 -or- 270 WSM -or- 7mm Mag
 

I would take either the .270 Win, or 7 RM. Either will handle most game you mentioned well. The .270 should have no problem reaching for mulies to 300 yds or more. Then you mentioned you might get a .300 of some sort, so it would be almost a mute point to get a 7 mag and then a .300. The 7 RM will handle about everything you would want to hunt, including the moose. I would simply stay away from the .270 WSM because I feel there is really not major advantage over any of the two calibers mentioned, and we know they will be around a while!!

RE: 270 -or- 270 WSM -or- 7mm Mag
 

.270 Winchester

RE: 270 -or- 270 WSM -or- 7mm Mag
 

Say it once and say it again. Every gun nut should have a 30-06 or a 270win in thier closet. But the 270WSM makes a good choice. Since you are taking long shots, any of the calibers will work. But boy, am I have jimdandy luck getting 270WSM to shoot like a champ. I am a hardcore short action fan. So easy to work up a load for.

RE: 270 -or- 270 WSM -or- 7mm Mag
 

Get the 7mag. I think you'll notice a difference/advantage with the 7mag when shooting animals. The 270 is great for deer though(and antelope,sheep,and whitetails). The 270WSM may or may not be around in 10-15yrs. The 7mag will give you more versatility in case you draw an elk tag and cant afford that 300mag at the time for some reason. No offense charlie brown, but there IS quite a difference between the 7mags and 300 mags. Not that the 7mag isn't suitable for elk, because it is.

RE: 270 -or- 270 WSM -or- 7mm Mag
 

Goodness, you guys are worried about 15 years. Man, you guys probalby think the stove is on all the time. 15 years that gun has been wore out and rebarreled by then

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RE: 270 -or- 270 WSM -or- 7mm Mag
 

7mmremmag