Choosing a Rifle

[kribbz]

can you guys help out a shotgun hunter from Illinois?  I have taken over a different territory with work and I am now traveling to Texas and Missouri frequently.  Customers have already offered to bring me out deer hunting with them on their land.  They told me I would just need to bring my own rifle.  I was thinking either a 7mm or a 270.  I would like to plan for the future as I hope to someday hunt some bear and elk so I don't know if the 270 is large enough for that.  What are your thoughts?  I've been looking at the Remington 700 or a Savage in the stainless and synthetic finish.  help me out here guys!

[beagleman23]

Sounds like you've met some great people.  First I'd ask what kind of bear?  Black bear over bait the 270 is fine.  Longer shots or bigger bears and I'd opt for something a little bigger.  7mm is great for all you mentioned but can cause some to flinch or get smacked by the scope and could be considered a little over-kill by some for deer.  I have a friend who is a fine shot but has a 7mm that he had to put scope mount extentions on because he's slight in frame and got smacked by the scope then started flinching badly.  He shoots it fine now, two whitetails last year cause he was having trouble with his 25 wssm and two spot and stalk bears in B.C. a couple years ago.  Many people will tell you that you need a 30 cal for Elk.  I think proper shot placement, the right bullet and knowing your limitations is more important so a 270, 280 or 7mm should be fine.  If you choose the 270 you'll need a heavier bullet than the standard 130 grain for game bigger that deer so make sure the gun you choose has a twist that will shoot it.  I'm sure you'll get more opinions/advise.  Good luck.

[hunter480]

Get a 30.06 and forget about it.................
 
That rifle/cartridge will take any game in North America.....
 
 

[schlupis]

Kribbz I would go with the Savage in .300 Win Mag its a very durable gun that is very accurate out of the box for not a lot of money... and this caliber will take anything you can aim it at.

[barkriver]

I have rifles several caliber, a .270 or 30-06 are just about perfect for everything. The one thing you have to remember is a rifle is a once in a lifetime purchase so research and get exactly what you need with a very good scope on it, optics are more important than anything.

I personally shoot a Kimber .300 WSM in 150 grain and would recommend it to anyone moderate recoil and does not tear up whitetails with the 150's but you can also load up to 180's for anything bigger and longer shots.

[DeanoZ]

ORIGINAL: hunter480

Get a 30.06 and forget about it.................

That rifle/cartridge will take any game in North America.....

 
Exactly what I was thinking!

[dtrain56]

.30-06 is the most universial hunting weapon on the planet...if you plan on hunting all types of ame you cant go wrong

[buckfarmdude]

remember there are a hekuva lot of variables. A .308 is an extremely versatile cartridge. However this may not have the kind of knockdown power you are looking for, especially a long-range shot at a big bull elk. A .270 is just a necked-down .30-06. It's a fast flat-shooting cartridge. I personally would go with a .30-06 just for a little more knockdown power. It looks similar to a .308 on paper, but the long range performance will be better with the .30-06. Hope this helps.
buckfarmdude

[ranwin33]

Get the 30-06.  Ammunition is cheaper than most other calibers and it will take anything in North America like others have said, plus you get a great range of bullet weights with it.

[dxthunter57]

both rounds will do the job on deer and elk or bear
but the 7mm rem mag has a bigger cartridge so a little more knock down power is that little more nockdown power nessecary i dont think so the 270 will do a great job