Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Lightweight Deer Rifle

Adding a lightweight deer rifle. Already own .243, .260, .308. This rifle has a 20" barrel. 7mm08 or .270? I will load the 110Gr TTSX for either. Which will perform best?

Yes

Haha...

"Perform best" is a broad statement. If you mean absolute speed, you will likely get another 125-150fps or so from the .270win over the 7mm-08 with 110gr bullets and short barrels. Blast would be worse with the .270, as it is burning more powder. Efficiency points toward the 7mm-08 in a 20" barrel. I will add that I get right at 3,200fps from the 110TTSX from a 20" 7mm-08 Model 7 using RL15. It kills stuff just fine.

I converted a Rem M-7 in 243 to a 358 Winchester. It is wonderfully light and in our thick brush will work for either deer or elk. I shoot 225 Nosler partitions.

Had a 7mm08 with a 21" barrel, just made a .300 Sav. with the same length. The 7 is a real handy little rifle.. Haven't done much with the .300.. I am sure it will be a winner for brush hunting..

If your 300 Savage is a bolt action it'll reach out well beyond brush range given good handloads.

130 TTSX at around 2900 should go well beyond brush range.

1) Give us your definition of "Lightweight".
2) What range do you intend to use this rifle?

I know the .300 Sav. will reach out, but I have serious long range rifles.. But that ability to reach across a field is nice to have as one steps out to the brush to an opening..

Light weight starts with an action that comes in at 26 ounces or less. Maybe even 20 ounces. Add a carbon fiber stock of 24 ounces or less and a 26" barrel of 40 ounces or less and you have the start of a light rifle with good ranging qualities.

6 lbs 12 oz scoped 7mm08. 7 lbs scoped .270. Possibly out to 375 yds.

I would lean toward the 270 past 300 yards but the 7 will get er done too so it's up to you.

In a 20 inch tube, I'd be more inclined to the 7/08. That said, I'd be inclined more to the 7/08 in a 22 inch tube as well.

The 7mm-08 lends itself to a short action, which saves a bit more weight, and burns ten grains less powder. I have both rounds, and like both.

My "light" rifle is a Kimber 7mm-08 Montana, that just got a new Pac-Nor barrel. It works very well, and is quite light.

Kimber 84L Montana 270 and chop the barrel 2 in., I'll be getting one in the near future....

Everything else is on the .308 case. The SA is going to be lighter than the LA.

7-08 in the Kimber Montana. Done.

I have a 240 WBY. mag. Ultra lite with a Stainless Steel fluted barrel and a carbonate stock just under 6 lbs including scope. shoots a 5 shot sub .50 group. bad part is the cost of the brass:(

Moses,
The .270 will always be faster with same length barrels.

Tikka T3 Light or Superlight
7mm-08 or 270 Winchester,whichever one you like the best.
With the Superlight about 7 pounds ,loaded and scoped(with a scope that weighs 12 ounces or so)
knocking a couple of inches off the barrel will probably only reduce the weight 3 ounces or less,muzzle blast will be worse,with more than likely a little less velocity.
Portability wont be increased greatly with a 20 inch barrel vs a 22 inch barrel in my opinion.
But if that floats your boat go for it !

With the Tikka you will have a light rifle ,smooth bolt action,accuracy,3 or 5 round detachable Magazine and a great trigger.

I agree.