I agree with this a lot. For 99% of hunters and hunting situations, a 270 or an 06 will do all you want, with very manageable recoil. I hunt out here in the west where the long range abilities of the big mags comes into play, but I still don't use em. Busted a bull elk with my 270 and down he went so there's some proof in the pudding. If you insist on having the big mag, you either are planning on shooting at 450 yards and you shoot LOTS in order to be effective as your rifle can be at that range, or you just have mag envy.

 

I think everyone would (or should) agree that shot placement is what is most important, and with that in mind, everyone should shoot what they can shoot comfortably, knowing that they're not going to flinch and that the shot is going to impact where they want it to.
I now live in Louisiana and find it very interesting that so many deer hunters down here are using 7mm mags and 300 mags on deer that typically don't get very large. It can't be for long range shooting either as the vegetation is so dense that shots are usually going to be within a hundred yards. There are exceptions, of course, but I'm thinking it's like trying to keep up with the neighbor who might have a bigger lawnmower.
I would prefer a 300 mag, or 7mm mag for elk sized animals, but wouldn't hesitate to use my .270 on 'em providing that the shot opportunity was a good one. Better yet... I still want to take an elk with my bow, at say... 20 yards! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Shot at one a couple weeks ago with my bow. Made the shot, elk jumped the string. 35 yards. Yes I was pissed!
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I totally understand Rascal. One wouldn't think an animal that large could move fast enough to jump the string like that, but they sure can! Guess that's one of their survival mechanisms - quick reactions.

 

That and the fact that they move like a ghost. Sat there looking into a little bowl at about 60 yards, and this 6x6 just appears right out of the ground for a minute then disappears. Saw a raghorn down in there too, same deal. I move one muscle and they hear me, they are 3 times my weight and seem to practically levitate.

Of course until I'm close and they smell me, then it sounds like a landslide as they take off down the mountain. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

 

Hi, a question please. I have a Savage 270 that I have used for years on both varmits(woodchucks) and deer. I reload my own shells. I reload the 110 gr bullets for woodchuck and have reached out to 400ydson the little critters with devesting exit holes. I hesitated using this load for fear of destroying a lot of meat. Has that been the case with your son? Would appreciate your getting back to me.

 

I'm assuming that you're questioning the use of hollow points on deer?
What I've seen is this: good penetration into the body cavity, then massive tissue trauma to the internal organs with the deer not going very far at all. In most cases they have gone completely down within 50 yards or less. The only concern is with shots that are not extremely well placed and the fact that they may have to penetrate bone mass. Although hollow points typically fragment enough bone on contact, depending on the point of impact - you could have a long trailing job ahead of you. If you absolutely KNOW that you're going to put the shot in the boiler room, or pass on the shot completely, I think you can safely use hollow points with tremendous success. I'm tempted to try a ballistic tip bullet out of my .270 for the first time this year even though I may suffer a little loss of meat. Recovery of downed animals where I hunt is difficult due to the very thick undergrowth of vegetation and I'd rather sacrafice a little meat for more assurance of the animal going down quickly and then a speedy recovery.
Hope this helps in your decision making process.

 

MAG92803 Thanks for the come back. My loads for the 270 were the 110 spitzer bullet which shattered on inpact which in the North East is considered a fairly safe load as there are many farm houses dotted through the forest and grazing fields. I wonder if the Spitzer and the Hollow Point do the same job basically. Can't find any reference in the Tech. books so I guess I'll have to find out the hard way. Thanks again

 

Both 25-06 & 280 rem( 7mm express) will work well on most deer. If I was useing ithem on average deer ( not elk) I would use 140s with the 7mm and 120s or there about for the 25. I always want the bullet to exit ( much easier to see blood if exit hole is there) Light bullets like a 100 grain 243 bullet will often end up under the skin in the off side. for all deer except elk I use a 308. The 25-06 & 280 rem are not very common ( not rare just not common ) if you end up at your hunting area and your ammo ends up at home then this is important. You will always be able to find 30-06, 30-30, 270, and usually find 243 & 308 many other cartridges are more difficult to find in ye old country store the day before opening day. You should try finding some 257 roberts at 10:00 PM aint gonna happen. Enjoy what you get. Just check your pack 3 times for ammo.


xring [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Mag, I have use a 130 grn Nosler Balistic Tip in my 270 with much success. Meat damage isnt that bad even with the hotter calibers. I use a 300wsm some and even at 3300fps a 150 grn Ballistic tip wasnt that bad, especially if you keep your shot behind the shoulder and off the backstraps. I used to, and still do if im huntin close cover, use a 140 Hornady spire point in my 270. The damage inside the deer with the spirepoint looks about the same as the ballistic tip.

The main reason i use ballsitic tips over covintional bullets is becouse the expand good in the thin light skin of these Alabama deer.