Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting .257 vs .277 long range deer bullet options

For long range hunting of deer size game with either of these two calibers, which is the better "go to" given the same muzzle velocity.?

I'm looking to keep recoil to a minimum, making the round as shooter friendly as possible and yet buck the wind as best as possible.

Give me some options.

Do you have rifles in those bore sizes, are are you skipping 6.5mm to be contrary?

Since you're assuming the same velocities then your answer lies in BC numbers.

Define your idea of long range. Are you in the reasonable camp of up to 450 yards or are you in the hail Mary camp of 600 yard shooting at unwounded game?

A little of both.
I really like the flexibility of being able to shoot sub 100 grain bullets for "some" applications, which obviously the 25's offer in both varmint and deer construction, and since the introduction of the little 6.8 has come on the scene the 270 has been gifted with the same.

Its the 400 - 500 yard deer killing end of things where I'm interested in bettering my options with these calibers.

+2

I own both. I have used the 270 for many more years (over 50) then the 25-06 (The one I have now for only 14 years) however and that means my kills with the 270 outnumber those from a 25-06 by a LOT so my comparison is not fare in every way.

But your question is specific. From what I have seen with my 25-06 I would say the best performance for a light kicking deer load was with the 100 grain TSX Barnes bullets, (about 1 MOA) but in my rifle the 110 grain Hornady Innerbond is a bit more accurate. (1/2 MOA) I can't tell the difference in the recoil but by the laws of physics the Barnes should kick a bit less. The smaller group size is irrelevant to anyone killing deer until they have the skills to shoot out past 500 yards anyway.

In one of my 270s I am using a 130 grain Nosler Partition and it's been SUPER deadly and I have shot a lot of deer and antelope with that bullet in the last 1/2 century all with zero complaints . In another one I shoot 150s and one I shoot with 160s.

But I will say that in 2 rifles of the same weight the 270 does kick a bit harder then the 25-06 even when the 25 is firing 120s and the 270 is firing 130s. So a 270 with a 130 is going to kick more then a 25-06 firing a 100 or 110. Both are wonderful shells for deer killing. So if recoil is a factor I would say go with the 25-06. Sure the 270 is more powerful. So what? The 25-06 if actually more powerful then it needs to be for deer, and using something even more powerful doesn't kill any better or any faster.

Of the 2 cartridges I use the 270 much more, but that's because I use mostly 150 and 160 grain bullets and the 270 covers the bases better, (deer antelope, bear, and elk) but there is no way around the argument that the 25-06 will do every bit as well for deer as a 270, and kick less in doing it.

Drop down to 6, 6.5, or 7 for starters....

At 400-500 yds, pick any pointed, boat-tailed bullet and learn how to hit stuff at 400-500 yds. There are more efficient choices in caliber, because of old standardized twist rates. That said, that isn't "long range" for cartridges based on the 308 case or the 30-06 case in standard 1:10 twists. At 400 and beyond, wind matters more than drop, because drop isn't an unknown variable.

Careful. Many people are far more accurate at 600 than a lot of us are at 350. Let’s not say something is a Hail Mary just because it is too far for you or me. Plenty of deer get wounded by people who never practice and take shots at your reasonable distances. Most people I know in real life have never practiced past 200 yards yet will shoot at a deer at 3-400 yards. Lots of guys practice at 1,000 yards and 500-600 yards would be a pretty easy shot for them.

Helping a friend load for a new Tikka 270WSM and I'm impressed with the Hornady 145 ELD-X. Price isn't exorbitant, either.

Under most field conditions in Wyoming where a hard gusty wind is changing direction 3 or more times on the way to 600 yards even the best shooters are taking a chance on wounding if they take the shot. I know it seems odd but I know some really good shooters and they all say wind is the limiting factor not range. Bullet performance becomes and issue also as velocities and energy drop. Even if you practice on a range or shooting at rocks out to 1000 yards that doesn't mean you will get first round vital hits, hence the "hail Mary" designation. Beyond that if you do make a hit at 600 yards if the animal does not drop right away finding it can be a pain in the arse. I hate to think of all the elk lost every year by people who think they have the skill to dope the wind at ranges even as close as 350 yards.

AGREED X2 don`t be fooled a .257 caliber shoots a long ways out too as does a .277 caliber

6mm creedmoor is the answer you are looking for.

With a Sierra Gamechanger or a Barnes LRX, it punches well above it’s recoil class.

In an area where wind is a factor, regardless of distance, you really need to start studying the ballistics tables for high BC bullets. The difference between say a 120 Partition or a 120 ELDX in the wind can be pretty amazing once you study your ballistics tables or programs...even at 350-500 yards the difference can be a surprising amount. The next thing you need is practice, practice, and a little more practice..... cartridge choice is several places down the list IMO but if it were me, I would go with the Hornady ELDX , Nosler Accubond, or a Barnes of your choice...

Bob

I’m with Sheister.

Get out and practice,practice, practice and then practice some more. Ballistics charts are one thing, but going out and seeing where your rifle/ load ACTUALLY hit at distance is often something else. About any rifle 6mm up will work just fine as long as you put the bullet where it belongs. I would also suggest a good range finder and an optic with turrets.... my personal favorite deer depredation permit rifle is a 6 Ackley with 70 BT’s. It doesn’t take a lot of power if you hit them right. Good luck, Ben.

Any fast-twist 6 really, the Creedmoor version just makes it easier without going custom. Berger 115s at 3000 (Hodgdon data StaBall 6.5) oughta work for deer, and lighter bullets for vermin.

I’d go for the old and true 270 win.
High BC 140 grain satisfy both speed and weight issues for me.
Imo The game changers are the Best bang for the buck. Cheap enough for ton of shooting at your ranges on paper and still good for hunting

The OP said deer size game and keep recoil to a minimum. It follows that a high bc 6mm is mo bettah.

About 2 decades ago, I lusted for a 6-284, I was more about velocity then, as opposed to B.C.

I currently have a LA Model 70 Classic which I have wanted to use as a donor.

What would be the best 6mm chambering given that platform?


My first guess would be the 6 mm Remington AI - But I am wide open to recommendations.