quote:

Originally posted by bird dog 270:
Alright. Thanks for the advise guys. Yes I buy some factory loads but I am going to start reloading real soon once I get enough brass. I have a 270 right now but was wondering if I should switch but I don't think I will. What are some good bullets (sush as the V-max or other types) to use for different animals?

Didn't realize you already had a .270 and was under the impression you didn't reload. Anyway, to answer this question, since you're primary "large" game is going to be deer, I think I'd use the most accurate bullet I could find. Sierra? Hornady? I personally always use a 150 gr. bullet but then again, you'd do fine with a 130 too. When/if you ever get to larger game (elk) I'd definitely go to a 150 gr. Partition. My situation is different than yours since I use my rifle for caribou & sheep with an off chance of running into a grizzly. I can tell you that a 130 gr. Partition bullet will easily put a caribou down but I only did it once at a range I should not have tried.
In short, for your deer, I'd use the most accurate 130/150 gr. bullet my rifle liked and a 150 Partition loaded to about 2940 fps for elk.
Bear in Fairbanks

If the gun is for a youth: .243

If for an adult: .270

.270! No question about it.

Keep the 270 for larger game as said, and buy a 223 for prairie dogs or perhaps 243 in low cost H&R Handi rifle, preferably a heavy barrel. An inexpensive Bushnell or similar will get you by and the ammo savings esp. with 223 will pay the cost of the gun over time vs. 270 varmint loads, save your shoulder, and you will become a better shot.

270 varmint loads, loaded to the gills with 100 or 110 grains will not let you shoot many prairie dogs w/o hurting oneself!

quote:

Originally posted by dempsey:
It's not even close, go with the .270 unless it will be a primary prairie dog rig that sees some deer hunting. I think you'd be better served with a .270 and then something else for varmints.

Amen. I vote for eth 270 too.

As much as I love the .243, if I had to choose between it and the .270 and could only have 1 rifle, I'd have to go with the .270

i look at it this way....
there's no question what-so-ever, that a .270 will kill a groundhog deader than a stone no matter how it's hit and at any distance, but will a .243 put the lights out on a elk with anything but perfect shot placement at only moderate distance? although they are used on deer/blk.bear all the time, i draw the line there and am a bit reluctant about it at that, but to consider the .243 as an all-arounder, including the bigger n.american critters is rediculous, much less a fair comparator to the .270....they are almost on opposite ends of the spectrum, exactly what you don't want when considering 2 guns for an all-arounder.

So...are you totally confused now?? What rifle did you pick?

I don't even like a 270 or own one, but I would take it any day over a 243.

Guns are like Ruffles potato chips; No one can have just one! Buy your 243 and buy your 270 and then buy a 338 and you are fixed for North America. Perhaps a nice 22

get a 270 win.

I've owned both, a Rem 700 in 243 and traded up for a Rem 700 in 270 Win. I loved that 243, it was hell on mule deer and varmints but a little light for elk. I shot hundreds of rounds a weekend through my 270 at prarie dogs. Sierra 90g HPBTs worked great. I shot both 130g and 150g Nosler partitions for deer, bear and elk. I settled on a load for the 150g Nosler Partition that just cracked 3000 fps out of 22" barrel. A good Pachmayr declerator pad will tame what little recoil the 270 has just fine.

Both are great calibers, but if elk is on the menu, go with the 270, it doesn't kick much more. and if you find a grizzly sitting on your elk, you'll feel a lot better with a 270 in your hands.

Regards,
Chuck

For me it would have to be a 25/06. With 75gr v-maxs for varmits and a good 115 to 120gr for everything else. It will do what you ask of it.

Why mess with either of those lesser cartridges? getchu a .280 or a 7-08.

quote:

Originally posted by stillbeeman:
Why mess with either of those lesser cartridges? getchu a .280 or a 7-08.

I'd second that, especially the 7mm-08.

Had you stoped at deer I would have said the 243 hands down, you sure could kill an elk with it but it is a strech. I have both. I love my 243 and anybody that says it's just a youth rifle can guess again. Last year I dropped a Hereford Cow with mine with 100gr PSP's. It's a long story and yes I was allowed to shoot it. The shot was from 90 yards and the cow weighed 1200lbs. Took two shots though and the cow didn't run......I have never shot an elk but if they are anything like deer or moose they will run and you may have to track that sucker a long time if the bullet placement isn't perfect with the 243. If varmints are a secondary target for you get the .270 you can get 100gr hollow points in factory ammo for the occasional groundhog. If Elk hunting is only in the very far future get the 243 and then save up for an elk rifle later. If you HAVE to limit yourself to one rifle get a .308.

.270 Win !!!