.270 win, 25-06, and .243 win for deer !!!!

[yamahaman36]

hey, i was wondering what you guys think about these 2 rifles for deer? i realize both are great rounds, but, i would like to hear some opinions from experienced shooters and hunters on which would be considered the best. also, what's your opinion on a .243 win for deer? opinions appreciated......thnx.....paul.

 

[treeman]

paul, a .243/ 100 grain hornady inter-lock will put meat in the freezer every time if you do your part. barnes X bullets work well also. treeman p.s. is it the motorcycle or the guitar?

 

[HTSmith]

I've used all three and they can all do the job. If you are sensitive to recoil the 243 kicks the least and does good duty as a varmint round.

The 25/06 with 115 to 120 Gr bullets will do the trick with power and range to spare. I got rid of mine because it kicks just as hard as a 270 and it was just too much for varmints.

The 270, with about 70 years of load development, is a real deer killer with the capability for Elk with heavy bullets. Pick about any 130 grain bullet your gun likes and have at it.

 

[zedsdead]

A 135gr SMK over 56.7gr of RE22 in my 270 has accounted for three one shot kills on deer. Granted none of the shots were over 250 yards but they all dropped right where they were shot. But I believe any of the above will work fine if you put them where you want them.

 

[Twud]

I'd go with the 270. Very flat shooting with a nice range of bullets. 243 is too iffy for my taste.

 

[jb77]

Yamahaman both the 243 and 270 are good but there are better options. The 260 or 7mm-08 are both outstanding for deer.

In my opinion the 243 is right on the edge of being too light and the 270 isn't as efficient as the 260 or 7-08.

 

[Ogre6br]

sorry I have to say none- go the 6.5x55 much more than the 243 and 25/06 and just under the .270 with less recoil, better accuracy and cheaper to re-load for

Scandinavians use them on Elk and they work of so well

later
P

 

[billmo]

Paul, I've killed deer with all of the calibers that you are inquiring of. But, as you can read I guess every caliber has it's good parts and the not so good according to who is shooting what I suppose. Bill

 

[acloco]

Does not matter. Any of the three will knock a deer down....if YOU do your part - location, location, location. No caliber will help if the bullet placement is not in the "boiler room" as they say.

Whichever one you buy, practice with it and KNOW what ranges YOU, your equipment, and the rifle are capable of.

 

[wolf]

i think the 243 it is the most uesd round in the uk for deer.

 

[RDHNTR]

I lost count at 50 on the number of deer I've killed with my old Savage 110cl in 270. Last thing I killed with it was a bull elk. Several black bears and numerous yotes etc.Animals shot through the lungs take one shot. Never had one go over 40 yards. Did I mention bull moose and carabou? Guess you get the message great caliber. Frank

 

[JCinCalif]

I have used the .270, 25/06,improved), 7/08 and .300 Win Mag on a few deer, caribou, elk and one buffalo. All are great calibers in their own right. I would not hesitate to use any of them again. As usual, shot placement makes all the difference. I'm almost exclusively using Barnes XXX bullets in all my large game guns. The 130 gr. In the 270, 140 in the 7/08 and the 180 in the 300. In my 25/06 I'm using the 115 Berger VLD,antelope load). I also have a 7 STW, I have not had a chance to use it on game yet, but I'm using 160gr. Accubonds in it. I'm having a 6.5/284 built for long range deer and antelope hunting, and will most likely try to get the Berger 140's to shoot out of my 1:8 twist barrel.

I would say choose a caliber you like, find a load/bullet that works and go hunting!

 

[Twud]

IMHO a 243 is a marginal round for deer. The only deer I've ever lost was with a 243, I sold it the next day. Why not give yourself some room for error and jump up to a 25/06. I know it's not much of a jump but I believe it's enough to make the difference. I've probably killed 30 or 40 deer with a 257 Wby and have yet to follow one up more than 30 yards.
No doubt shot placement is paramount, but you don't always get to pick your shot.
What can you say about a 270? An absolutely paramount deer round even at longer ranges. I've never owned one but guys in my club shoot them with great succcess.

BTW- Choosing the right bullet is half the battle.