DG870
AH veteran
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2013
- Messages
- 126
- Reaction score
- 340
- Media
- 7
- Member of
- SCI
- Hunted
- USA ( NE, SD, CO, WY, OK, TX)
I really enjoy reading this forum and enjoy the discussions about bullets, calibers, shot placement and other factors but sometimes it seems like it gets down to splitting hairs. There was a thread on the 270 vs the 280that got me started thinking and I’ve had too much time because of the shelter in place stuff going on because of covid19.
It seems many of us are older and have been doing this for a long time and we have had experience to back up our opinions but if were honest we all have our personal pet calibers that we defend. I’m 65 years old and at 13 years old I read everything Jace O’Connor wrote about the 270 Winchester and at 16 saved money from fixing fence and stacking hay to purchase a Ruger 77 in 270 with a weaver K4, so I’ve been a 270 Winchester fan for most of my life. I started reloading in 1977 and now have too many rifles and calibers (according to my wife and daughter) and have shot deer with lots of different calibers While sitting around this week I have been thinking about the last few deer hunts I’ve been on and the guns I’ve used.
The last 5 mule deer I’ve taken with 5 bullets: 2 with 270 140 grain SST’s, 1 with a 30-06 165 grain Interbond, 1 with a 280 Remington with 139 grain SST and 1 with a 7 mm magnum with a 154 grain Interbond. The shots averaged 200 yards with the closest at 150 and the farthest at 250.
As I think about each shot I realized that it wouldn’t have made any difference which rifle I used. The ballistics are similar enough that it really wouldn’t have made any difference which rifle I used.
I’m not trying to disparage anyone’s favorite but many calibers are very similar in their effectiveness. Think about the last several game animals you’ve shot and mentally substitute a similar caliber and decide if the end result would have been different
If nothing else, this could be a pleasant pass time remembering past hunts and hopefully generate some interesting discussion to help pass time. . Stay Safe! And be healthy!
It seems many of us are older and have been doing this for a long time and we have had experience to back up our opinions but if were honest we all have our personal pet calibers that we defend. I’m 65 years old and at 13 years old I read everything Jace O’Connor wrote about the 270 Winchester and at 16 saved money from fixing fence and stacking hay to purchase a Ruger 77 in 270 with a weaver K4, so I’ve been a 270 Winchester fan for most of my life. I started reloading in 1977 and now have too many rifles and calibers (according to my wife and daughter) and have shot deer with lots of different calibers While sitting around this week I have been thinking about the last few deer hunts I’ve been on and the guns I’ve used.
The last 5 mule deer I’ve taken with 5 bullets: 2 with 270 140 grain SST’s, 1 with a 30-06 165 grain Interbond, 1 with a 280 Remington with 139 grain SST and 1 with a 7 mm magnum with a 154 grain Interbond. The shots averaged 200 yards with the closest at 150 and the farthest at 250.
As I think about each shot I realized that it wouldn’t have made any difference which rifle I used. The ballistics are similar enough that it really wouldn’t have made any difference which rifle I used.
I’m not trying to disparage anyone’s favorite but many calibers are very similar in their effectiveness. Think about the last several game animals you’ve shot and mentally substitute a similar caliber and decide if the end result would have been different
If nothing else, this could be a pleasant pass time remembering past hunts and hopefully generate some interesting discussion to help pass time. . Stay Safe! And be healthy!