Deer Caliber

[Baldrick]

The .270 typically throws a 120-140gr bullet at a high velocity, whereas the .308 offers a short and fat 150gr bullet delivered at a slightly slower speed. The length of the case isn't relevant in this instance, but the high muzzle velocity of the .270 combined with thin-skinned bullets is responsible for most of the criticism about meat damage with the .270. The fact that firms like Hornady make very punchy 'Light Magnum' ammunition for the .270 doesn't help it's reputation.

 

In practice however, I find that a sensible load with a reliably-expanding 130-140gr bullet does a very good job, and will sit a large fallow buck on its backside with satisfying consistency.

 

The disadvantages of the .270 are the action length (= heavier rifle), and the muzzle blast and flash (easily minimised by use of a good moderator). The advantages of the .270 are that its unpopularity makes ammunition and second-hand rifles pretty cheap, and it delivers great knock-down power.

[Guest RemmySPS]

The .270 was formed when Winchester simply necked down the .30-06 case to accept .277 inch bullets.

This makes the little 7.036mm bullet a lot faster in that bigger case than the slightly larger 7.823 bullet (.308) which has a shorter case and therefore holds less powder.

A better bet would be the 7mm08 which is the .308 case necked down to 7.2mm (.284) which gives a much friendlier calibre in terms of recoil and doesn’t do a s much damage to the carcase.

[Baldrick]

The only problem with the 7mm-08 is lack of consistent availability of factory ammunition. However if you can find a dependable supply, you're sorted.

[wildfowler.250]

Thanks for the replies

And I thought trying to pick .17 or .22 was a hard choice

[Guest RemmySPS]

Henry Krank is selling PPU 7mm08 PSP 140g for £53.90 per 100, but it would obviously be better to reload. Could be fun re-forming .308 cases though.

Midway USA are selling the cases at something like $37.79 per 100, but (as you can no doubt guess) Midway UK wants @ £45.

Buy the PPU stuff and then reload ‘em.

[njc110381]

One thing that doesn't seem to have been brought up (unless I missed it) is where you plan to shoot. Is it a hill permission where you will need to be taking fairly long shots, or is it woodland where most will be inside 100 yards?

 

I'm never sure how to work this one out but it's food for thought. In woodland it's easier to hit accurately because they're close, so that would make you assume a smaller gun would be fine. On the other hand if you do get one run 100 yards after being hit in a wood it's a nightmare finding the thing sometimes. A big wound channel and lots of blood will both get the animal down faster and give you more signs to track it by. On the hill it could run 500 yards and you wouldn't lose it, but due to the extended ranges you'd think a bigger calibre would be good? I don't know! I think the 6.5 is a happy medium.

 

Will you be using it in place of the .223 you've been considering too? Or is it just a 100% Deer gun? For a beginner the police do sometimes prefer the smaller calibres, especially if you plan to shoot Fox with it. I have no idea why? Any Deer calibre is pretty dangerous.

[wildfowler.250]

Thats a good point, the deer are in a wood but the land around it is hills if that makes sense. Well I was planning it for fox and deer so mabye the 6.5 would be the way to go. Decisions

[henry d]

*

.50 for munties ? Nah ! I prefer to eat what I kill, `cept vermin !

So head shoot em then

 

I have only done it once with roe that are lying down, I will never do it with a standing beast.

 

 

 

CZ452 - 6.5x55, great calibre, trust me

[njc110381]

For Fox and Deer the 6.5 would be fine. Shoot something like a 120grn Nosler BT and it should do Fox and Deer with the same bullet quite well. I use 130grn Barnes TSX in mine, but they are both expensive and home loaded. I'm not sure if they come in factory ammo? If you're prepared to home load the Hornady A-Max is supposed to be a very good bullet, although strictly speaking it's a target bullet which can be mail ordered

[dave dog]

If you are stalking in woodland a lager like 270 or 308 would be a better bet as it will give a much bigger wound chanel, this giving more blood to follow. Asd most will know a Roe deer an run and buire it self the same as Muntjack can even when hit with lager caliber deer legal rilfes. In trungive you a better chance of finding them as member has already said.

So you would be better to look at this lager i feel, as i have fox control for my 270 that what manily used on, plus if you were to get invited to go boar/feral pig shoot 270 is the minuim in this counrty for that, so 270 or bigger may be a better opsion some of you out thier wil say others wise i know.

[Guest RemmySPS]

I never drink lager when I'm shooting :look:

[hobbit]

I'm not sure of the bullets available for the 6.5 but 110vmax bullets are available in 308 and 270 both great fox bullets and the 308 is available in factory rounds if you don't reload.

[wildfowler.250]

Thanks think I'll take a good look at the 6.5 and if not I'm not sure how I'll pick between .270/.308 :look:

Now...choosing a scope

[Harnser]

cz 452

Toss a coin ,if it comes up heads go down the .308 road ,if it comes up tails go down the .308 road .

Harnser .