bernie garland Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Hi I'm taking my dsc 1 on 19th this month and i'd like some unbiased opinion on which calibre. I myself would like to go for a 270 winchester but every person i've asked advises me differently. I would like to go for the 270 as it can take out all british quarry including red deer. Also i can get a very good set up for a hell of a lot cheaper than any of the other calibres. What are the pros and cons for this calibre? Looking forward to your help bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Nothing wrong with the .270Win at all. I've had one for many years and it has proven itsself time and time again. Once you've found a load that suits your rifle it is a nice accurate caliber. I've shot Red, Fallow and Muntjac with it, and all go down well. Ammo is easy to get hold of if you're looking for factory stuff, reloading bits are also very easy to get hold of if you're looking to reload. Some girly shooters say it has a bit of a bark and kick......but I don't think so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 If you asked 20 stalkers what the ideal deer calibre is (as I did) you will get a least different answers. Ask everyone on the DSC1 and see what they say? Ultimately you have to decide. It's a tough one, I was lucky enough to be able to shoot a few before I decided. I would have to put my best skirt on to comment on the .270 though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernie garland Posted July 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 I'm seriously considering the 270, as far as i can make out the only downside is the kick but hey! I'm a big strong boy also I'll be reloading so saving a few quid there I read somewhere that 243 bullets break up internally and cause damage and bruising and that you get none of this with the 270 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Bernie, Look at the 6.5x55. It will do everything the 270 will, and then some and it is minus the kick. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subsonic Flyer Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 If it just for stalking the .270 will do it all. If you think some time in the future you might want to try some target shooting either the 6.5 or .308 will give you an edge in the accuracy department and be suitable for all species of deer. SF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 I'm seriously considering the 270, as far as i can make out the only downside is the kick but hey! I'm a big strong boy also I'll be reloading so saving a few quid there I read somewhere that 243 bullets break up internally and cause damage and bruising and that you get none of this with the 270 Bernie, don't worry about the recoil of the .270, you won't notice it when you have a large Buck in your scope. .243 bullets only break up if they're loaded incorrectly. i.e. Wrong bullet head doing too much speed. A correctly loaded .243 bullet is very accurate, expands correctly, and has good stopping power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 *grits his teeth* I will say that the .270 has the edge over the 6.5 when it comes to big stuff, I have only ever shot hinds with my 6.5 and don't get up, but come the day I shoot my stag I will be very very careful about placement. IMHO (based on what I have heard) the .270 will give you that bit of leeway - should you need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernie garland Posted July 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Bernie, don't worry about the recoil of the .270, you won't notice it when you have a large Buck in your scope. I'm not too bothered about the kick after all I am a black powder shooter and shoot a 45 caliber kentucky scout carbine with 100gr pyrodox so i'd just buy a recoil pad I've been told that a reason stalkers dislike the cz brno 270 (apart from the kick) is that the bolt is supposed to be a bit sloppy unlike a tikka or sako. From what I've been told (by our local gun dealer who I thought might be slightly biased as its him who has one for sale) and from what i've read, I think I'll try the 270 as I'll only be using it for deer (not too fussed about charlie as he's not too good eating ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jingzy Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 There are many good calibres out there for deer in the uk. .270 is very good but the recoil becomes a pest when you try to watch the reaction of the deer n low light conditions or there is a lot of scrub around. Pull the trigger, look forward, no deer, I must have hit it. Now, where is it? Did I hit it, is it injured? A softer recoiling rifle will allow you to see the reaction to the shot. Did it fall on impact? did it leap up, hunch its back? These are all things that it is better to know before following up a deer. These things can be seen through the scope of a 6.5 or a 7mm08. Calibre choice is something that is personal. I have had .223, 243, 25-06 270 and 6.5. I have also used the 308. In my opinion, the 6.5 wins hands down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernie garland Posted July 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 I've also been advised that a high quality sound supressor will greatly improve the recoil on the 270. Your advice is greatly appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 *grits his teeth* I will say that the .270 has the edge over the 6.5 when it comes to big stuff, I have only ever shot hinds with my 6.5 and don't get up, but come the day I shoot my stag I will be very very careful about placement. IMHO (based on what I have heard) the .270 will give you that bit of leeway - should you need it. Have to disagree with you Stuartp. The 6.5 will perform much better in my opinion, especially on the inside of the target. And as for size of game I have shot both elk and moose with mine and never had a problem. Just my opinion which is worth exactly 50% of nothing NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulkyuk Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Bernie - you would be hard pushed to beat a T8 moderator on the end, i've got 1 on my 243 and it reduces muzzle flip by a fair amount, almost to the point of none - well i can still a fox going down after i've pulled the trigger. but i have also heard good things about the new A10.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popgun Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 I've got a browning a bolt .270 best buy i ever made it's like a death ray sika go down like they been hit by lighting i don't feel the recoil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagleman Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 I had the same dilemma Bernie. As people have said there are as many opinions as calibres out there. I have read that so far as Scotland is concerned by far the most popular calibre is .308. More deer are shot, so it is said, with the .308 than all the other calibres put together. The next most popular (again in Scotland) is the .270. The big advantage of .308 is that you will have the option of mainstream target and deer in one rifle. However, I went for an alternative option. Calibres come into favour and go out of favour and right now .270 is (comparatively) out of favour. The result is that good .270 rifles can be picked up quite cheap. So I went for a S/H .308 to use for target and a .270 to use for deer. I ended up with a Tikka LSA 65 (M65 deluxe) which many will tell you (especially via the USA) is the best rifle Tikka have ever made. It is certainly a beautiful rifle. Yes, they kick a bit but it is manageable. They shoot pretty flat and the knock down power is as good as any and better than some. Anyway, good luck for the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernie garland Posted July 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 OK so first I want to say "Thank you" for all the input, i really appreciate it. I've just spent over a hour on the phone with a stalker friend of mine from the northern territories who dislikes the 270. sooooooooooooo...................... i've decided to go for the 270 Basically my reasons are that in America its a well liked caliber, you can shoot wild boar there is a bit of leeway, I've more chance of dropping the beast as opposed to a 200 yard chase (i am 52 you know ) also i like to learn by my own mistakes if this is one of them Also as a novice the price for the 270 is in my price range Don't worry if I don't get on with it I'll be back asking for more advice Cheers Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sako7mm Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Bernie, go and look at the Tikka M65 Deluxe .270 at Nevilles in Alfreton. Don't know what the bore is like, but externally it looks good. I'm sure they'd take a bid on it, it's not their usual sort of thing. The ASE S5 is a far better moderator than the T8. Quieter, better made, and stainless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 I've also been advised that a high quality sound supressor will greatly improve the recoil on the 270. Your advice is greatly appreciated Bernie, definitely yes. I have a T8 on my Tikka .270 and it really does tame it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mry716 Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 I have an ASE S5 that has never been fitted that I dont need and will happilly take 20% less than retail if you decide on this make of moderator. It will help save you a few pennies. M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkingrph Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 had the same dilemma Bernie. As people have said there are as many opinions as calibres out there. I have read that so far as Scotland is concerned by far the most popular calibre is .308. More deer are shot, so it is said, with the .308 than all the other calibres put together. The next most popular (again in Scotland) is the .270. The big advantage of .308 is that you will have the option of mainstream target and deer in one rifle. However, I went for an alternative option. Calibres come into favour and go out of favour and right now .270 is (comparatively) out of favour. The result is that good .270 rifles can be picked up quite cheap. So I went for a S/H .308 to use for target and a .270 to use for deer. I ended up with a Tikka LSA 65 (M65 deluxe) which many will tell you (especially via the USA) is the best rifle Tikka have ever made. It is certainly a beautiful rifle. Yes, they kick a bit but it is manageable. They shoot pretty flat and the knock down power is as good as any and better than some. Anyway, good luck for the future. From a Yanks perspective, thats a good answer. Nothing wrong with a .270, and if you are to reload remember that it is simply a 30-06 necked down to .270. My first rifle was an '06, because dad won it in a sales contest about the time I was finishing high school, so it was my graduation present which I really wanted. I wound having some friends in the National Guard while I was in college, and they supplied me with a lot of match ammo so I was very happy with the caliber. That said I never had a desire for a .270 but the situation could have easily been reversed. All of the calibers I have seen mentioned are certainly capable of taking any game in the British Isles. I do not know what ranges you typically shoot at or what you look for in a "stalking rifle". Here in the east shots over 150 yards are rare, but with larger commercial farming operations, locations where longer shots could be made are becoming more common. As I get older I am liking the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser cartridge more and more. It's gentle on the shoulder , accurate and has a reputation as a good killer. My favorite rifle is a little Ruger #1 light rifle, single shot in 7x57 Mauser which can be described much the same. Look at the cartridges, deterimine how large and heavy a bullet you want, and how much energy you need to deliver to the target. After that the cartridge does not matter, the game will not know what hits it and dead is dead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.