RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

.270 for sure!;)

RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

I have used a lot of different guns and I like the .270 the most. It shoots alot flatter than most guns and it is a really popular caliber. I have seen a .270 take down game from prarie dogs to moose and caribou and it still does the trick. I have killed a lot of deer with my .270 and I plan to keep on doing just that. I will hunt just as long as the good lord lets me and nothing less. Good luck hunting. Be safe.;)

RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

.270 is my choice, but far more important is shot placement and knowing a deer's anatomy from different angles. A quality scope will run $300 +. Until you use one you probably won't appreciate the difference, especially with low light situations. The last Simmons scope I had (the Whitetail model) would have made a good boat anchor if it had of been a little heavier.

RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

Lol. I agree on using some scopes as a boat anchor! I had a tasco on my .22 that Would move six inches every time that I took it in the woods. I finally scrapped it and got a new one. I had it mounted right and everything. I was not hapy at all with that scope, but now I have a good one. I would be very confident taking my 270 up against a grizzly bear. It all comes down to shot placement.:)

RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

.270 or 30.06

RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

For deer I use a Sako270win ,but I've never hunted elk . I have taken a moose with the 270 so if it can take down a moose I'm sure it can handle a elk.
The 270 and the 7mm mag are both great rifle's so it's your choice .

nubo

RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

I am pretty sure I am going to go with the Savage 110 package in 7mm rem mag. If I have to replace the scope, I will probably go with a Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40.

RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

Boddington says the 270 win. is the most perfect deer rifle ever made. I don't agree with him half the time but this time I think he's right. Across the board the 270 for deer is a perfect match. He says the 280 is in the same class. Again I agree. I love my 280 and would not hesitate to take it on a all around North American hunting trip. However it a personal choice and there are at least twenty rifles that would be considered very good deer rifles. Right near the top would be the 308 Win. The 7mm Mag is a good rifle but after having four of them I really don't care for them any more. For my bad shoulder they have to much kick and don't outperform the 270 and 280 as deer rifles. The 400 yard ballistics on these three rifles are a tossup and the 270 and 280 get it done with less powder and recoil. I quess my 308 Browning A bolt stalker would be the last gun I would give up if I could keep only one.

RE: Best caliber for whitetail
 

If I don't go with a Savage, I would buy a used Ruger. If I do go with the Savage, I will buy a Ruger in .308, .300 Win mag, .270, or .280 later.;)