Looking for a second barrel for my 223 encore. All around deer use, any reason to choose one over the others?

Creed may kick less. I have all three in bolt guns, am currently using the 7-08 the most, shooting 120 NBT's for WT's and hogs.

DF

I don't own a 6.5C. I have the other two. For deer in Ohio, I'd say 708 or 6.5C. The 708 is there if you want to go light, like the 120NBT mentioned. It'll also have more punch if down the road you load heavies (150-160s) in it for Elk, etc. I've taken deer with both the 708 and 270. Both perform well, and it's hard to say one is significantly better inside 300 yards. The 270 will usually shoot a bit flatter and harder, depending on
the load. Most Ohio deer hunting I've heard of you'll be under 250 so it really doesn't matter. I've taken many deer with both, most between 150 and 350 yards. Longest deer shot was with the 708 at 435 per a range finder.

Going to be out of state. No rifles in Ohio unless it's straight wall

6.5CM or 7-08

Factory ammo? If so, I would go 6.5CM.

My bad. I can't keep the regs straight in my mind for States that I'll likely never hunt. Tell us what you decide. The journey's half the fun.

270

+1

Agree, Creed if using factory ammo.

DF

All three seem to be good deer rounds. I am not a deer hunter, but if I were wanting a deer caliber I would go 6.5 Creed. Little recoil, good for shooting long or close, lots of good ammo either loaded or roll your own components and it offers very good barrel life.

Try the new 6.8 O'Connor.............You'll like it. I hear 130 grain Accubonds work pretty well.

Or you could grow a manbun............

Your choice.

270 in the encore

LOL.

6.8 JackO/130 NAB's will be on the elk menu for me this year.

And no man bun - not that there's anything wrong with that...

This.

All three are great cartridges, but my personal choice would be the 270.

Out to 500 yards, the .270 shoots flatter and hits harder than the others. I have all three plus a .308. I tend to use the .270 the most, but that might be because I trust the rifle the most. It is an insanely accurate old M700 that I have owned since college, over 35 years now. Given you already have the rifle, and there is no downside to a long action round in a single shot, I think I would lean toward the .270. But they are all excellent rounds for shooting deer sized critters at reasonable ranges.

X2....

Been shooting and admiring the .270 since the late 60's and still do. But I find the CM to be very user friendly and therefore deadly. Several elk, deer and one antelope with it so far .

I like the creedmoor. Leaning 270 though for a few reasons. One of which is completely subjective as is our looney wont

All three are fine deer rounds. But I have a habit of checking what ammo is on the shelves at WalMart and the local gun/sporting stores. I still don't see that much 6.5 CM ammo in stock in the stores in eastern Ohio and western PA. What I see most is 30-06 and 270. If you would have to buy off the shelf for some reason like I forgot/or lost my ammo while out on the hunt it seems to me that the 270 would be the best choice.

Since I always take 2 rifles if I am overniting on a hunt, I've been using a 270 since the early '70's and something else from a 257Rbt's to a 300Wmg depending on terrain.. These days I'll take a 270, the current do all is a Baco US built M70 and a soon to be replaced M70 7x57 with a 7-08 for just the same reasons Stuck In Ohio outlined. Too much muscle memory at 50 years worth to abandon the 270 as the primary shooter no matter the rifle, but I've enjoyed the 2 year's of use in the "new to me 7x57" so the 7-08/308 is a no brainer that'll become the primary for my final years in the field.
Ron

all three of course!

I have a pile of 270's, a couple 08's and 2 Creed's

Of those three choices 708 but I'd rater have the parent 308 cartridge.

I'm sort of a rifle looney in that I've enjoyed experimenting with various rifles and calibers, but I've never been without a .270 since 1967.

270 gets my vote.

Have been chasing PA and NY bucks with a 270 for the last 40 years....

1st choice for me would be the 270, then the 7mm-08.

For deer in an Encore, the 7-08 or Creed would probably be the best choice. But for the hunting I do, the 3000 fps with a 150gr NPt out of a 22" bbl provided by RL-26 practically moves the 270 up into another class.......

Of the 3 I'd rank the 270 and the 7-08 as equal and put the 6.5 CM last. However those 3 are all going to be fine.

Personally I like the 270 best overall of the 3 you list, just because I have now got 50 years of experience with it and I know what it will do and I am able to make them do it.

The 7-08 is equivalent to the 7X57 if bullets and pressures are the same, and I used to own a 7X57. So I believe I can also speak to the capabilities of it.

The 6.5 CM is so close to the 6.5X55 Swede as to be "the same" in the real world.

I also have owned a few 6.5 Swedes so I know what they will do, but living where elk are the "common game" I put the 6.5 slightly behind the 7-08 and the 270 because I prefer the power advantage and bore size I have with the 270 and the 7Mm over the 6.5 MM, I doubt the difference is all that big.

If deer is the "big game" in your future for 90% or more of the use you have in mind, I might put the 6.5 at the top of the list. It kicks the least and uses the least powder, neither of which are bad things to have on your side.

Any way you go, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

I own all three,like the 7mm-08 better,but my favorite rifle is still a 257 Weatherby Mag in a Ruger no.1 for deer,its a no track`em rifle

Me, too.

Currently using the 7-08.

I think it largely depends on the individual rifle.

They’ll all do the job.

DF

I'm getting a 6.5 Creed next

According to Jack and Ingwe, the 270 would be the best choice.

JOC for sure...

DF

Spot on....

There will likely be more 30-06, 270, and .223/5.56 ammo......but from a quick look last time I was in Walmart a couple of weeks ago 6.5 CM was the next in line on numbers of different boxes. It surprised me.

Get yourself a 7mm-08 and you won't have to chase those bucks anymore!

Best Campfire Line Of The Week Award Winner!!!

That was a good one.

DF

At typical hunting ranges, any of the three is fine. I favor the 7-08. Lots of great bullets for the 7mm and you only need to burn +/- 45 grains of powder at a time.

Definitely!

Thanks, guys. I'm here all week!

7/08 with Nosler 150g LRAB is beyond wicked.

I've killed deer with all 3, probably 50 times more deer with the 270 than the 6.5CM and the 7-08 put together. Any of the 3 will do the job, and do it without a lot of fuss. Having said that, I've gotten more DRT kills with a 270 and the 130 Sierra Gameking, than any other cartridge I've ever used on Whitetails. My 270 is Remington 700 Classic, 1979 edition, and it doesn't have much in the way of a recoil pad. With 60 grains of H4831, my arthritis and damaged rotator cuff shoulder feels the kick when I'm shooting, especially at targets, where I might shoot a number of times. Nothing I can't handle, but to put it simply......my right shoulder is not what it used to be, and the left one is even worse. The 7-08 in a Remington Mountain Rifle, with a good stiff load and a 140 grain bullet was comparable to the 270. Again, nothing I couldn't handle, but noticeable. The 6.5 Creed, for whatever the reason, is mild shooting, comparable to a 243. That's shooting 120-140 grain bullets.

I might take the 270 out again sometimes for the sake of nostalgia, and n remembrance of all the good hunts it and I had over the years. But, from here on out, most of my deer hunting will be done with something along the lines of the 6.5CM.

Our 7mm-08s kill deer elk and antelope. I’m a believer.




P

They kill WT's too. The factory 120 NBT load is a good one, easy MOA is a good rifle. Shooting factory until I have time to work up some loads, of course, with Big Game....

I'm taking my Creed to the camp this weekend, 136L Scenar over 43.5 gr. RL-16. Sub inch with .02 jump. Didn't take the time to clock it, should be running around 2,800 fps.

For really long shots, I'll have my 26 Nosler, 127 LRX over 91 gr. 869, MOA @ 3,400+ fps. I need to clock that one, too. Z5 turret set up for this load.

If I drop one, I'll report.

DF

Given that you currently shoot a .223 and that your hunting deer I would say 6.5 Creedmoor. Reason is that if you’re accustomed to shooting a .223 a Creedmoor won’t be a bunch more blast,recoil etc. Not saying you can’t handle a 270 but it’s a noticeable step up from a 223 and a Creedmoor is like shooting a 243. Ammunition is readily available and I can find it at any Walmart or Mejier store here in Michigan. 7-08 is a great cartridge but you can’t find ammunition everywhere like a 270 or Creedmoor. I have (had) all three and they’re all great cartridges. Whichever one you pick you’ll make a good choice.

In a box stand with the Creed. Longest possible shot around 300, don’t need the 26 Nos for that.

Beautiful morning, around 50*. Sun starting to come up.

Nice place to be.

DF

Good luck Robert!

I envy you . . . our season is still about 3 weeks out.

If you are only shooting deer, and as stated in the thread, the ranges are not particularly long, then the performance on game is going to be so similar between the three that unless a person were to inform the shooter which one he just used on a buck, I doubt the anyone could tell the difference @ typical ranges.

That said, if you were hunting elk in Wyoming or taking a 500 yard shot on a big Muley, I would definitely prefer a .270.

For the rest of the time, the easy recoiling characteristics of a lesser cartridge such as the 6.5CM may aid in precise shooting, so that may be something to consider.

Have you considered the 6.5x284? There you would have something that provides a balance of both.

Thanks.

Already have one in the freezer.

DF

No doubt about it; the one you can find on sale.

I've been hearing it for a while. My first outfitter experience in '75 he was talking about his .338 mag with Speer bullets all the time, I asked him why he liked it so much and he said "I'm tired of chasing them with a .270".

I have been involved with a few searches of .270 hit animals also, the results were we usually found they had not gone very far in the thick stuff, or they were never found so we didn't know if they were hit well.

The .270 seems to be the butt of jokes around here, being ghay and all...

And, I'll admit to contributing a few comments...

But, in the right hands with the right bullets, It'll kill WT's and similar with authority, about as well an anything..

Sorta reminds me of Phil Shoemaker's by line: "Anyone who claims the 30-06 is not effective has either not used one, or else is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship"

The same thing could be said about the .270, in it's weight class, of course. May not be the best choice for DG, etc., but pretty effective for most everything else.

IMO,

DF

Did yor say kick less, or kick azz? . Mine does both.. just sayin..

The Creed will kick less, which might be a factor in the Encore. They have a reputation for "kicking above their weight", or so I've been told, but mostly about MLs and slug guns. I honestly don't think any of them would be noticeably better for ordinary hunting in that platform. Like I said before, buy the one on sale. I see sale prices online from all the big dealers pretty regularly.

A single shot .......why would the " short" action be of much benefit?

Me thinks 270.

But I also agree

Cash is king.

Which ever is on sale....or 4 sale used.

Are you really suggesting that the 6.5x284 is anywhere near as good as the 6.5 CM, 270, or 7-08 at killing things or availablity, whether hand loading or factory...? ROFL! Sanka-mon, whatcha smokin'..?

If recoil is an issue at all, just be aware that the .270 burns significantly more powder and will kick more. An online recoil calculator will let you know what to expect with various loads.

Based on some experience with all three rounds, and lots of experience with other, similar rounds such as the 6.5x55, .260 and 7x57, I'd guess somebody could use any of them and never tell any difference in on-game performance in a lifetime of hunting.

Of course, that would exclude opinions arising from the infamous "examples of one" we often read on the Internet, and recoil. .270's do kick a little more than the smaller rounds.

Both...

DF

Odds are most handle any 270 loads recoil fine for the round count many hunters use on routine sight-in's, and light practice, let alone a hunt.

I've shot my share of all those rounds, and the beauty of say a 6.5CM is you can practice a lot, for probably less money, and no doubt recoil.

Not much replaces range time learning one's gear, that includes getting off the bags to practice as well, seeing how POI may be affected when not resting on bags, or however folks shoot off a bench.

They all work, when you thread the vitals with a reasonable hunting bullet.

Indeed, on deer/hogs, those 120s have racked up a nice history, in various 6.5s from TCU and JDJ, thru larger rounds, as well as in 7s.

I've killed deer with the 120 NBT out of my 7-08, not with the Creed. Good performance, small entrance, 2" exit with a fair amount of tissue damage.

My current Creed load is the Scenar 136L over RL-16. It's up next when I get a shot on a hog or WT.

I just mounted a NF 3-10x42 Forceplex on that one.

DF

I've used the 270 for many years on lope, deer and elk, plain ole 140 gr Hornady BTSP have worked every time. My middle daughter really likes shooting the 7-08 (from age 11-16). I started her with cast bullet loads and gradually worked her up to reduced jacketed loads and finally full power handloads. I have used it with 120 gr B-Tips for lope and deer and 150 gr Partitions for elk.

Two weekends ago my youngest daughter (age 12) shot her first big game animal, a cow elk at 365 yards with a 130 gr ELD-M from the 6.5 CM. I had her practicing through the summer at the range banging steel from 400 to 700 yds and occasionally out to 900 and 1000. She says she "prefers the 6 CM for those longer ones" though (meaning from 800 to 1000). I used the same 130 gr load for my deer the following day.

The 270 used to be my primary when I had a deer tag in hand but this year the 270 never even cleared the case. Next month my middle daughter has a cow tag to fill so we'll take the 7-08...or maybe the 6.5 CM

I just read this thread. I found it very entertaining. I'm sure everyone means well with their commits.
All of the rounds listed and talked about here are good.
"Just each to their own"

Yeah, but mine's better!

the Campfire way :

You: Yeah, but mine's better!

Me: Yeah? What do you have?

You : It doesn't matter.

Hey! This is illegal intill after hunting seasons is over!!!!!

No more. 204 Ruger vs a 50 BMG intill we're done hunting,period.

One thing about the 270 vs the 7-08 is the 270 doesn't really come into its own unless it's got a longer barrel. It's burning a lot more powder for the same bore diameter (okay .007 different). In a 22" barrel a 270 and 7mm-08 are neck and neck in most factory loads. Out of a 26" bbl the 270 smokes the 7-08. But at 22" and under they are identical except the 270 makes a lot more blast.

I shoot and kill stuff with both all the time but unless I'm carrying my 26" barrel 270... I don't grab a 270. That thing out performs what the factory box says in every single ammo I've shot through it--it slings most 150's an RCH under 3,000 fps and 130's at 3200. Whereas all the 22" 270's I've shot shoot way way slower than what the box says they should (though they still killed stuff real real dead).

6.5 as many others have mentioned to be feels like sort of a slight bump down from the other two (esp 270), but also as mentioned it might be an easier transition from a 223.

If you were handloading a 22" 270 using R-26, you'd find that 3000 with 150's and 3200 with 130's ain't no challenge. With accuracy and tiny velocity variation, to boot. I employed a 150 SST on elk this year, with a MV just a skosh below 3k fps. It's grand when you can aim on hair at over 400yds with a "standard" caliber. I'd love to see what R-26 would do with a 26" 270...

Posted this pic a bunch, so sorry if you’ve seen it already.

7mm-08, 150 ELDX, 409 yards. Mv around 2780.

Light recoil.

Nothing to it.





P

How the hell did you get it out whole?? Nothing to it?

ROFL!!

I got this side, you take that side, start dragging. The trailhead is only three miles.


This bull:




Turned into this bull:



Via the same mechanism.

How do you do it?




P

Naw, the 7-08 can't kill elk like that. It doesn't kick enough.

Cut and pack, anymore. Two this year, gutless butchering, took the quarters, flank, neck, tenderloins, and straps. Packing it out, one trip at a time. Still takes two of us.

I’m just yanking your chain. Both of those bulls fell where we could get at them with an ATV. Most of the time we start with this:




Which becomes this:





Which turns into this:





And if you look closely at the first pic, you’ll see a T3 in 7mm-08 leaning up against the tree.





P