bigbulls

The .270 and 30-06 are virtually interchangeable until you get to very large elk and moose then the 30-06 will have an edge with the heavier bullets. The .243 is essentially a varmint to deer cartrige. People have taken elk with it but I wouldn't advise using one on elk cause they don't have the heavier bullets needed. If you are wanting a strictly deer cartrige then any of the three will work just fine. I can usually find bullets for the .270 and 30-06 in more stores though.

strut

Dane the 06 is very comparible to the 270 when you shoot the lighter bullet weights available for the 06, but you can get alot heavier bullet in the 06 than you can for the 270, either one would be a excellent choice for deer. The 243 is a great cartridge, flat shooting, very little recoil but it can and will be deflected by the brush. The 243 is a great cartridge for someone on the small side such as a youngest just starting to hunt.

THE NRA, WHERE WOULD YOU AS A GUN-OWNER BE WITHOUT THEM.
GUN-OWNERS, UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL.

timbercruiser

Sure wish the great Jack O'Connor could join in this. With the .270 you have a very good bullet selection. IMHO you can't get a better cartridge. Stick to the well made cartridges that don't explode and you will be very happy.

BambiKiller223

.270 in my opinion, the best all around deer gun there is. (many other people hold that opinion too)

As far as scopes go, you say you're young so price is a factor, so you could go with something cheap that would last a little while, or you could save up and get a good quality scope that will last you a lifetime. A 3x9 VariX II by Leupold is all that you would ever need for that gun and will last a lifetime (comes with a lifetime warranty i think), but it has a hefty price tag (like $250). You could go with a tasco or somethin cheap, but I would rather shoot opensights for a year or too and save up and get a Leupold. (In fact, thats just what i did, i hunted for 3 years opensights with my .270, If you're comfortable shooting opensights then go for it)

Anyway in summary, it sucks having a good high quality rifle with a really stinky scope (at least in my opinion).

FL-Hunter

The .270 is excellent! If you are on a budget like I am, the Savage 110 in a .270 with a scope at wal-mart will run you 369.95. I own this package an am very pleased with it. I just got back from hunting in Missouri and got a doe at 140 yards. The bullet entered low into the shoulder and took out half the heart and scrambled the rest of the insides! I was using the Winchester 130 gr. soft points. Looking at the .270 from a ballistics perspective it’s a shooter! It has plenty of energy even out to 500 yards.

I like my savage so much that I plan on getting another one in a .243 with a target barrel for practicing and the convenience of another deer rifle.

Also remember that no matter which rifle you get…. It’s all about shot placement.


http://home.cfl.rr.com/lnicholson/hunting%20pics.html


"This year will go down in history. For the first time, a civilized nation has full gun registration. Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient, and the world will follow our lead into the future!"----Adolph Hitler 1935

Dane007

I just have a couple more questions regarding these rifles.

out of the 270 243 and 30 06 which one has the highest accuracy for 200 300 and 400 yard shots?

also, the manufacturer gives you the option to get the gun in magnum or standard. what are the good points and bad points of either?

thanks

eastwood

i like the 30-06. its been around for a long time, you can get ammo for it anywhere, it has all you need in distance and power and it has the ability to make an ugly man look good.

98Redline

I think that the accuracy issue for all three rounds .270, 30-06, and .243 is more dependent on the shooter, rifle and load than the specific ballistics of the round. I have shot ammo out of my 270 that wouldn't group worth a darn, while using another brand or bullet weight turned it into a real tack driver.
I would think the 30-06 and 270 would both be pretty good out to 400 yds. The .243 with a much ligher bullet would be lacking a bit in the down range energy department out at that distance.

In the end, you have 2 great and immensely versatile calibers selected. I don't think that you can go wrong with the 30-06 or 270, they will take you from medium sized game to elk. The 30-06 has a bit more knock down power due to the higer bullet weights available, but the 270 is more flat shooting.

Flip a coin, heads or tails you win.

Tumbo

Dane007

Its pretty hard to say one calibre is more accurate than another because there are so many variables involved,type of rifle,ammo,barrel length & the shooters ability ect are among some of the things that contribute to accuracy.

You should be asking yourself if your good enough to shoot deer at those distances,when you've got a rifle set up you'll need to test it out at all distances that your likely to shoot at & know exactly where the bullet is going to land,frankly I think 400 yard shots at deer are pushing the boundaries a bit to guarrantee clean humane kills.

Forget the 243 for deer over 200 yards,it simply hasn't got the power at longer rangers.

The 25-06,270,280,30-06,260,7mm-08 & 308 would all be fine for deer at longer ranges & are all accurate & are capable of out shooting most people that use them,of the calibres listed above the 7mm-08 & the 308 are more often used for target shooting than any of the others.

Check out more hunting & shooting sites on the net before you make your decission.

Good luck

Tumbo

BobS

I have and hunt with both a 243 and a 270. As far as a 243 being limited to 200 yds, I'd kill very few deer. I am a good shot and with the 243 I have killed 2 over 300 yds(one at 450 ie not recommended). Number one you have to hit the vitals. Lungs are a good bet at long ranges. For anyone not a really good shot I would limit the shots on a 243 to about 300, but strong cross winds can move lightweight bullets. I like my 270 to about 425 yds.

However, if you shoot running game within 125 yds. I strongly prefer my 243. I don't have to lead them just put the hairs on the mark(I have killed 6 running with the 243). I have killed two running with the 270. One was about 70 yds and I hit him back about 10" from where I had the crosshairs. The other was at 100 yds and I hit him 18" back, I didn't like that at all.

If you want an all round deer cartridge I like the 243, 270, 25-06, and 260. The 30-06 is a little heavy for my tastes but gets the job done. If you are good with a rifle and you practice at long ranges and need to shoot at 300-400 yds then I would go with a 270 or 06. Use good ammunition: Rem Corelocts, Federal Premium, Barnes, etc and they will all do the job. Just my 2 cents.