Rifle Caliber Recommendation
 

I'm looking to go whitetail hunting in PA and NC next year and am currently in the process of deciding on a new rifle to get specifically for hunting. I have decided on the Tikka T3x Lite but I'm having a hard time deciding on the caliber to go with. I was hoping I could get some guidance between the 270 Win, 7mm-08, and 6.5 creedmoor. I was originally going for the 270 but started considering the other two for their reduced recoil. Any advice would be appreciate, thanks.

all three are great deer calibers
I prefer the 7mm08, own a few from bone stock to full custom built rifles, so this caliber gets my vote
but honesty any of these calibers with a decent bullet and one that shoots well in what ever rifle you have will do you fine at REASONABLE ranges and with i your SKILL SET! not just what things say on paper!

Given the three options, I don't think there's a bad choice.

Of those listed, for a deer rifle only, I'd be reaching for a 7mm-08.

-Jake

I would go with the 7mm-08 myself, but I'm biased. I already have 3 - 243's in the house. And they are just a little smaller than a 7mm-08.

All are great rounds for whitetails. You might want to consider the 30-06. There's a much wider range of bullets available so if at some point in time you were to hunt something other than whitetails, you'd have a wide selection of ammo to choose from. You can hunt anything in North American with a 30-06 except probably for Grizzly or Polar Bears!!

If recoil is an issue, the 6.5 or 7mm-08. Of course there are always muzzle brakes and suppressors if you'd rather go with a larger caliber... These days the 6.5 Creedmoor is getting a lot of attention....Very large assortment of factory ammo available for it and the ballistics are hard to argue. I don't own one. I've shot a .270 and an old 30-06 for many years, but with a torn rotator cuff I'm considering downsizing..

Don't discount a .257 Roberts or .243 also...both will kill any whitetail anywhere. Just hit 'em where you aim and they'll go down. :)

deer won't know the difference!
RR

As RR said, "deer won't know the difference!" If I had to pick one of the three you listed, I would take the 7MM-08.

I shoot an .30-06 and a 270 shoot flatter and is all the bullet you need for whitetails. 130 - 150 grain is more than enough. I shot hornady SST this year and thought it did a hell of a lot of damage. I have seen 220 grain core-lokts do similar damage

I'd go with a .243. :)