Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game IF one don't need the power/range of .270win (for BG) then what..?

This one is easy, as any of those picks will work nicely. There is a sweet spot from the 115/120gr .257 Roberts to the 140gr 7mm-08 that is very effective on deer-sized stuff at reasonable ranges, all without unreasonable recoil. You also don't need more than a 20-22" barrel to make it work well, which is nice. The Creedmoor and .260 fall right in the middle of that bracket, and if shooting 140gr bullets, a standard cup/core hunting bullet is going to work really well. Cheap but decent factory ammo is also nice for the Creedmoor and the 7mm-08. You don't need anything fancy there, but I'd reach for Hornady American Whitetail, Fusions, or Federal Non-Typical and call it a day.

For deer and 200 yards max I don't even load my 700 Classic in 250 Savage full throttle.

Yep.

I agree the 30-30 would be a good choice. Of course you could go for something like the 225 Win.

That's what I'm saying.

Yes! No recoil, flat, fast, a dandy from way back.

Does your question mean you currently OWN a 270 Win? If so, just use reduced loads.

My guess is you have more than one rifle that could be downloaded to meet your needs. Keep things simple. Use what you have.

There are lot of good options if you "don't need the power/range of .270win " for BG.

Best choice depends on a variety f factors including shooter sensitivity to recoil, size and type of game, anticipated or required range,

Even if you "don't need" a .270 Win, it is still a pretty goo choice for many applications. One can always buy or load reduced recoil loads or just shoot normal loads if recoil is not a consideration or concern. Trust me, it won't kill anything "too dead".

That said, a short barrel, short action rifle will reduce weight. My 16.1" barreled Ruger Scout is a sweet shooter with plenty of range for most situations I've been involved in. Most, not all.

A rifle chambered for 7mm-08, 6.5 CM, .257 Roberts or even .243 would seem to fit the bill, as would a lever in .30-30, depending on the specific requirements.

But the right answer is always ".280 Rem".

You forgot the 250 Savage...

22 Creed or 22/250 AI are hell on wheels with:

60g Nosler partitons-3700 fps
62g ttsx
62g Speer Gold DOT with bonded core
55g Speer Gold Dots-4000 fps
55g Hornady Sp

std 22/250 with 60g partitions are wicked ugly on deer and hogs with a muzzle velocity of 3500 fps. Destruction on an animal is about like a 300 wm shooting a 150g at 3300.

If you were going longer range:

75g Speer gold dot
80g Hornday
88g Hornady

Impact velocity with a good bullet is a deadly combo. Very little recoil seals the deal on accurate shot placement. Tremendous impact velocity, causes incredible internal organ damage..you just have to see this for yourself how fast the animals collapse.

For long range, a 22-6 Rem AI with 80g Hornady A max at 3700 will kill all deer of any size, Very little recoil!

When you like flat shooting with little recoil, instant kill, above are some answers that will just shock you. For guys sticking to just factory rifles, the 22/250 .

https://www.impactguns.com/rifle-am...60-gr-20box-10case-029465096724-p22250g/

Heart and lungs look like something poured out of a Soup can when shot with one of these rounds.

Can't go wrong.

CZ 527 in 762x39.
Cheap and accurate and it will do fine under 200 yards on deer.
I’m actually thinking of using for elk one of these years.
Obviously I’d be limited on distance but Ballistics are close to 30/30. So it can’t be that bad
So many good calibers out there.
6.5 Swede, 6.5CM, 7-08, 7x57, 270, 280, and the list goes on.

Any 264-7mm is plenty in a 308 case for 200 yds.

If you want flat a 260 is nice, or 6.5 creed is also good..

I went 260 for mine, I had a 358 win, and 7-08 but in the end for a hunting cartridge I look slick shoulders so I went 260.

I am getting a 6.5 Grendal for that application.

257 Roberts

You betcha.

Get one of each, can’t have too many rifles!!!

If a 270's what you have, use it anyway.

With those specs you’d have to try to find a cartridge NOT worthy.

For many years I've used a .257 Roberts with much success and no fuss. It's light recoil and end game performance are just about perfect. I have quite a few choices that seem to all be just fine, but lately I've been impressed with the performance of these newer bullets in smaller cases. A .22-250 with Nosler 64gr BSB has been pretty impressive, I have no idea what I'll use to punch my deer tag this year, but if I don't use an arrow, it may be a Black Hills 77gr OTM out of an AR15, the previously mentioned .22-250, .257 Roberts. If I'm out after elk I use bigger cartridges and if I see a deer I want I use what I've got with me. Sometimes it's based on mood, nostalgia, or weather. Last year I only had a few days to get out and they weren't together. Weather was crappy off and on, I used an AR10 in .308W because I didn't have to be concerned about it, and hadn't blooded it yet. I hate getting a blued & wood gun soaked. My other crappy weather gun is a .25-06 in a plastic stock.

The point to this is nearly anything would work on deer size game at less than 200 yards. What appeals to you?