30-06 vs 7 Rem Mag vs 270

[user2026]

Which cartridge for whitetail, inside of 400 yards?

I'm looking at getting a new rifle this spring, for deer hunting. I'm 90% decided on an x-bolt, but can't decide on a cartridge.

The top choices for me are 270, 30-06, and 7mm rem mag. I hunt on a dairy farm, with quite a few different stands, in very different areas. Some days I'm in the woods with tighter shots (10-150 yards), and those same afternoons, I might be in a spot where I can shoot anywhere from 20-400+ yards. I would say 95% of shots are inside 300, 70% are inside 200, and 50% are inside 100.

I want to have some authority when I shoot a deer, at least compared to my 6.5 creed that I currently use. I'm not recoil sensitive, but practicing with a cheaper lower recoiling cartridge is always going to better. However hitting with a bigger cartridge will always be better. Something flat shooting would be nice, but the 30 cal hole would be nice too. See my self induced conundrum?

I think I would love a 280 ackley, but can't get one in an x-bolt. I do reload, so availability of these cartridges isnt very important, and they are all pretty ubiquitous anyway. I know bullet selection and shot placement are more important than the cartridge, but if I'm buying a new rifle, I need to choose one anyway. What would you choose, and why?

 

[Speaks]

Of these the only one I would be interested in for that purpose is the 270. Though frankly when I am hunting at those ranges I use a 6cm/243 and never have wanted something bigger.

 

[keystone112]

Going to try 145 ELD-X in my 270 this year. Hopefully I’ll get decent accuracy.

 

[mountaineer273]

I voted 30-06 because I think that it’s hard to beat for a variety of hunting uses. The versatility of the cartridge is unmatched in my view. You can buy factory ammo or handload everything from varmint loads to 220 grain heavy round nose bullets in 30-06. I don’t think that you could go wrong with 30-06.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Of your choices, I would pick the .270. It’s more than enough for what you want. Easily good enough out to 550 yards.

 

[Maineotter]

Id say 30-06. If your primarily shooting inside 300 yards you'll never see a difference in the trajectory. And for heavy brush I like bigger and slower bullets. You def dont want a 7mm rem mag at 15 yards if you enjoy venision. 270 would be my choice if stretching out but 30-06 since your staying short range. And since you handload you can download to varmints or upload for bear or moose. I think youd have a lot of fun with the options

 

[Choupique]

.30-06, because its what wins wars

 

[Steve300xcw]

Flip a coin. All three of them are goona kill shit just as dead as your creedmoor will.

'06 "was in the war, man"
270 is what grandpa used
7mm is a gawd damn MAGNUM!!!

 

[EdP]

.270 is all (more than) you need for deer at the max range you specified. No reason to go to a cartridge with more recoil. .270 for the win.

 

[Tmac]

Of your 3 options, 270 Win. More than enough for what you want.

Matter of fact, since you reload, the X bolt in 25 Creedmore would get my attention. I've had stellar results on game, up to and including elk, with 115-120 gr bullets out of a 25-06. The CM will launch those and the newer heavier 25 cal offerings. Deadly and less recoil than a 270 Win.

 

[user2026]

I decided to look at brownings website a little more extensively, and did actually find a couple options for the 280 ackley, one of which I like. Now I'm leaning towards the 280, but still not sure. You all make me want a 270 now, haha

 

[Telford29]

Out of your choices, 270 win. I picked other. 243 win or 6 creedmore would be my favorite.

 

[Choupique]

leaning towards the 280, but still not sure. You all make me want a 270

Ammo availability makes this an easy decision

 

[mtg]

My first deer rifle was a 270… and it’s still a fav. Honestly it’s not that different from a 6.5cm, especially in the hunt scenario you described. I’m enamored with the 280ai, and honestly it’s not that different from a 270… so I haven’t got one because I will always have a 270. They’re all fine for your intended purposes. Go kill stuff!

 

[DLIP]

Out of your choices, 270 win. I picked other. 243 win or 6 creedmore would be my favorite.

What he said

 

[North of 60]

Of those choices, a .270 Win

A 6 creed or .243 win would be great for deer at those ranges.

 

[UnckleBob]

I decided to look at brownings website a little more extensively, and did actually find a couple options for the 280 ackley, one of which I like. Now I'm leaning towards the 280, but still not sure. You all make me want a 270 now, haha

I have a 280AI and it will stone kill a deer at the ranges you are describing. For whitetail deer, it is extra recoil with no real gain in killing power. Don't do it!

A 270 is a great compromise on plenty of power with without punishing recoil. They have been killing deer for over 100 years and will probably still be doing it in 2126.

 

[gerry35]

I decided to look at brownings website a little more extensively, and did actually find a couple options for the 280 ackley, one of which I like. Now I'm leaning towards the 280, but still not sure. You all make me want a 270 now, haha

Certain rifles in Browning's line up in 270 Win have a 1 in 8 twist which would give you lots of options if you want to handload later. Will do pretty much everything a 280 AI will do but you can find ammo everywhere.

 

[bnewt3]

270 will do everything you want and lots more and has the least recoil.

 

[180ls1]

I decided to look at brownings website a little more extensively, and did actually find a couple options for the 280 ackley, one of which I like. Now I'm leaning towards the 280, but still not sure. You all make me want a 270 now, haha

6.5 prc "replaced" my .270. I love em both but there is a reason why i went with it for my new rifle.

Compare the recoil and ballistics on the eld-x with the prc vs the 280.