Big Game Rifle Caliber?
- Thread starter CC268
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Legionnaire
New member
Well, I read through the thread, and there is lots of good information here. My go to hunting rifle is a Remington Model 7 in .308. The short cartridge length allows for a compact rifle that is great for woods and humping hills and that still puts a 150 grain .30 caliber bullet on target easily out to 350.
If you reload, a .30-06 is a bit more versatile on the up side. That might be the way to go if you want to shoot heavier bullets or range out a bit further. But in target guns, either the .308 or .30-06 can keep a bullet supersonic out beyond 1,000.
I had a .300WM for a while, and I found the recoil more than I cared for. So in your situation, I'd probably opt for a .30-06. It would be more than adequate most of the time. And those few times it isn't? Get closer.
If you reload, a .30-06 is a bit more versatile on the up side. That might be the way to go if you want to shoot heavier bullets or range out a bit further. But in target guns, either the .308 or .30-06 can keep a bullet supersonic out beyond 1,000.
I had a .300WM for a while, and I found the recoil more than I cared for. So in your situation, I'd probably opt for a .30-06. It would be more than adequate most of the time. And those few times it isn't? Get closer.
Colorado Redneck
New member
Didn't see anywhere that the OP has shot a 300 Winnie Mag. I would recommend that he shoot one of these a few times at a range, and see how he feels about it afterward. I have seen quite a few shooters at the range shooting 300 WinMags and similar rounds. Many can't shoot a group less than 6 inches at a 100 yards. Recoil is a subjective thing, and some people (including me) won't do well with a hard recoiling rifle. And the muzzle blast is damned annoying too. Just a fact of life.
And for those "recoil junkies"---good on ya.
Not trying to run anyone down. It would just be a downer to invest in a big game rifle and not do well with it.
And for those "recoil junkies"---good on ya.
Not trying to run anyone down. It would just be a downer to invest in a big game rifle and not do well with it.Pathfinder45
New member
270 Winchester vs 300 magnum
270 Winchester trajectory is similar to a 300 Magnum. Take a 24" barreled 270 Winchester, 150 grain Nosler Partition or Sierra Game-King bullets hand-loaded to 3,000 fps, (yes, there are several powders that will safely do it.), and you will have a rifle that shoots like a 300 magnum, recoils like a 30-'06 and will deliver perhaps in excess of 1,400 ft.-lbs energy at 500 yards. The 270 is at its best with 150 grain bullets. But if you must have more recoil, by all means, get a 300.
270 Winchester trajectory is similar to a 300 Magnum. Take a 24" barreled 270 Winchester, 150 grain Nosler Partition or Sierra Game-King bullets hand-loaded to 3,000 fps, (yes, there are several powders that will safely do it.), and you will have a rifle that shoots like a 300 magnum, recoils like a 30-'06 and will deliver perhaps in excess of 1,400 ft.-lbs energy at 500 yards. The 270 is at its best with 150 grain bullets. But if you must have more recoil, by all means, get a 300.
Can't go wrong with any of the three - .270, .30-06, or 300 Win Mag.
I have a .308 and .300 Win Mag (as well as a .44 Ruger Carbine) and I'd hunt with either for anything up to Elk/Moose.
.270 and .30-06 will be easy to find and there are a world of loads out there for them. The .300 Win Mag is overkill on deer to many people, but I use 150 grain loads for deer when using the 300.
Lots of good choices, just boils down to your needs (distance, skill, reloading capability, etc.).
I have a .308 and .300 Win Mag (as well as a .44 Ruger Carbine) and I'd hunt with either for anything up to Elk/Moose.
.270 and .30-06 will be easy to find and there are a world of loads out there for them. The .300 Win Mag is overkill on deer to many people, but I use 150 grain loads for deer when using the 300.
Lots of good choices, just boils down to your needs (distance, skill, reloading capability, etc.).
I don't know of a load that will send a .270 150gr to 3420 fps. 74 grains of IMR 4350 with a 150gr Ballistic Silvertip or Accubond will do so in a 300 Win Mag with a 24" barrel. Recoil with 150 gr loads is actually very manageable.
.270 is a proven, fantastic round. But a .300 Win Mag it is not.
Colorado Redneck
New member
150 gr. bullet at 3400 fps--Recoil
Recoil
Input Data
Charge Weight: 74.0 gr Muzzle Velocity: 3400.0 ft/s
Firearm Weight: 9.0 lb Bullet Weight: 150.0 gr
Output Data
Recoil Velocity: 13.6 ft/s Recoil Energy: 25.9 ft•lbs
Recoil Impulse: 3.8 lb•s
This calculator from JBM Ballistics.
Firearm wt = 9.0 lbs (heavy rifle by most standards)
The round quoted by Orion6 would shoot really flat and hit really hard. Great long range elk, moose, or whatever round. Just need to be able to withstand that kind of recoil to shoot well. As stated, recoil is manageable (by most--just not me) so if prepared a shooter can certainly field this weapon and hunt.
Recoil
Input Data
Charge Weight: 74.0 gr Muzzle Velocity: 3400.0 ft/s
Firearm Weight: 9.0 lb Bullet Weight: 150.0 gr
Output Data
Recoil Velocity: 13.6 ft/s Recoil Energy: 25.9 ft•lbs
Recoil Impulse: 3.8 lb•s
This calculator from JBM Ballistics.
Firearm wt = 9.0 lbs (heavy rifle by most standards)
The round quoted by Orion6 would shoot really flat and hit really hard. Great long range elk, moose, or whatever round. Just need to be able to withstand that kind of recoil to shoot well. As stated, recoil is manageable (by most--just not me) so if prepared a shooter can certainly field this weapon and hunt.
FrankenMauser
New member
CC268 doesn't reload, and doesn't plan to do so any time soon. So, citing best-case-scenario handloads isn't very helpful. (Especially since reloaders know very well that 99% of rifles will never achieve the velocities published in reloading manuals - such as the Nosler data you cited.)
Refer to post #45. It's close enough. I doubt an animal could tell the difference.
No you can't shoot a 150 grain out of a .270 win at 3400fps. But the thing is, a 150 grain in a .270 is about the equivalent to a 181 grain bullet in .30 cal
The .277 bullet of equal weight will have a superior SD and BC to the .308 in the same weight.
A 120 grain .277 cal bullet has a similar SD to a 150 grain .308 bullet. You could probably get a 120 grain bullet close to 3400fps with a hot load in .270 Winchester.
Again, post #45 shows that a 130 grain super performance load will have a similar 500 yard trajectory to the .300 win mag with a 150 grain bullet, and the 130 still has a sectional density advantage (and likely BC advantage) compared to the .308 bullet.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Let's leave the nits unpicked, okay?
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
You talking 7mm STW, 7mm Weatherby mag, 7mm RUM, 7mm RSAUM, 7mm Dakota, or 7mm WSM?
Why does everyone keep saying "7 mag" - there is no such chambering.
But the answer to the question doesn't change - the .280 remington is the probably the best all-around north american big-game cartridge, followed closely by .30-'06 then closely again by .270 win. .280 is an improved .270 (better bullets) doesn't get any better for most uses. But .30-'06 is never a mistake. Don't get a .30 cal maggie - most people shoot them a few times, then sell them at a loss to get something lower recoiling and cheaper to feed -there's a reason for this phenomenon.
In my view, if your game needs something bigger than .30-'06, a .300 maggie ain't gonna help. If you need range, a 7mm or .270 caliber round will get there with less drop and drift. If you need more bullet (very large game / body weight), it's time to step up to .338-'06, .35 Whelen, 9.3x62mm, .45-70 govt, or .375 HH mag.
Don't get a Weatherby chambering - unless you have a enjoy spending unnecessary money and a sore shoulder. And .300 win mag? It's not a horrible round like some, but it's still an unneeded belted round.
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603Country
New member
I'd probably use my 270 with 150 gr Partitions or Accubonds for elk. And I'm not shooting out past 300 yards on an elk, and I'm a good shot. IF the OP was a reloader, I'd say to go with the 300 Win Mag. One thing you can do with it is to load down to 30-06 levels if you want to. You can't load the 270 or 280 or 30-06 up to 300 WM levels.
The OP does need to consider recoil. That 300 WM with full power loads can hurt a bit. Lately I've been shooting my 223, 220, and 260, but decided to put a different scope on my late Father's Ruger Ultralight in 270. I shot maybe 10 rounds of full power loads and did have to say "Ouch". My Sako 270 is a good bit heavier and doesn't hurt to shoot.
The OP does need to consider recoil. That 300 WM with full power loads can hurt a bit. Lately I've been shooting my 223, 220, and 260, but decided to put a different scope on my late Father's Ruger Ultralight in 270. I shot maybe 10 rounds of full power loads and did have to say "Ouch". My Sako 270 is a good bit heavier and doesn't hurt to shoot.