The Ultimate Deer Rifle Cartridge

Choose the BEST cartridge for an Ultimate deer rifle. The intro ends at 3:00, and skip forward to 7:00 to see 270 vs 30-06. I also share thoughts on the 26 Nosler at the end of the video. Spoiler Alert: I actually choose two in the video, the 270 Winchester and the new 26 Nosler. Watch the video to find out why.

At 7:00 minutes I go over 270 Win versus 30-06.
Why not the 30-06? It is a great cartridge that kills deer very well. But, the 270 shoots flatter, faster, and with less recoil and still hits the deer more than hard enough. Would I sell a 30-06 to get a 270? Probably no. But, if I was going to buy a new rifle for deer, it would be a 270. Or a 26 Nosler...

308 vs. 30-06: I had a viewer leave a comment telling me that 30-06 velocities were higher than 308 velocities, which is not what I have said in my videos (the commend didn't post, so I can't reply directly). With the exception of Speer reloading data, factory ballistics and reloading manuals do list the 30-06 as giving higher velocities. But, the Speer reloading manual, 13th edition, has some "Lab Notes" in the 308 Win data stating that with sporter barrels (22" test rifle barrels, not 24" pressure barrels used to develop data) the 308 gives higher velocities compared to the 30-06 for bullets up to 150 grains. That note is why I have stated that the 308 is faster than the 30-06. That book was published in 1998, and with different powders on the market things might have changed. The 308 is loaded to a higher pressure than the 30-06. Most published reloading data uses a 24" barrel, not the shorter 22" barrels used by the Speer lab for their published velocity data.

[mafirearmsafety]

Depends on where you hunt, in my area a 50 yard shot is a 'long' shot, flat trajectory don't mean much, a 30-30 is just dandy.

[mtnhunter]

7MM-08 the ultimate deer hunting cartridge...period! Short action, light weight, minimal recoil, huge bullet selection, excels with short "22 barrel, extremely efficient, plenty of power to kill any deer that walks and very flat shooting.

[milo]

I pick 7-08 as the best. Short action. Shoots accurately out of short barrels. Handy rifle sizes available. Velocity close to 2900fps out of a 20in barrel 130gr bullets. Sub 1moa. Whole package weighs right at 7lbs. Perfect

[MichaelCarter-ksup]

Most people overlook the 25 06, myself included for a long time. But since I have been using it, I will never stop. Great cartridge! 😀

[JasonTate]

The most overlooked rifle with todays bullers is the 35 whelen. With a 200 grain soft point it is very lethal frim muzzle to 300 yards. Hits like a mac truck.

[Kmanca]

I agree, 270 is great. It really is the perfect deer round. My first rifle was a 270. Still use it. Cheap ammo, versatile. Always knocks them down. I know shoot a 270wsm. Just for the extra range and still great on elk. Love it. Plus cheaper ammo than the other exotics since I don't hand load.

[JH-lxdp]

Have you even seen how well a 3006 handles deer? It either drops em right there or it leaves a nice blood trail and it is an American classic.

[michaelhorner]

I agree 7mm-08 probably the best for sure.

[easttexan]

Here's my 2 cents to the conversation. I latched onto a really nice, all matching 6.5x55 swede about 12 years ago and had a custom deer rifle made out of it. I swear by that 140gr 6.5. Speed is way overrated when shooting inside 200yds. the 6.5x55 is MORE than adequate at 2600fps at the muzzle on whitetails. Never lost one yet. And so easy on the shoulder !!

[sweetteaoutdoors]

You made one statement that kills your video credibility. The 308 does NOT shoot faster than a 30-06. Shooting the same projectile, the 30-06 shoots on average about 100 fps faster than a 308. It is just basic physics. They are basically the same except the 30-06 holds more powder. More powder + same projectile = more velocity. Now there are some instances where that isn't always true. Shoulder angles and such, but that really isn't the case here. I am a huge fan of the 308 over the 30-06 as a pure deer gun. Mostly for the super light recoil of the 308 and the shorter case. I agree that if you only had one rifle on here, I would go with the 270. Comparable recoil to the 308 with MUCH longer range. The best ballistically on the list is the 7mm rem mag, but more recoil and expense than the 308 or 270. Ammo availability is the only thing that keeps the 7mm-08 lower down. 308 case with superior ballistics of the 7mm bullets. It dominates the 308 at any range and with less recoil! I also think you are overstating the importance of velocity. It is important, but high velocity with poor BC or sectional density is a waste of energy! Lower bc projectiles slows down much faster so at extended ranges they actually travel slower and are affected by the wind even more.... Just my $0.02.

[mroutdoorsman]

30-30 puts them in the freezer every time. Cheap ammo that's easy to find

[jasonkelleher]

Great video. I shoot a 6.5 swede and a .308, and I love both calibres. But I agree on your final decision about the .270, it’s an exceptional cartridge. Flat shooting, great penetration and very fast. 130 grain is as much bullet as most hunters need

[brentbusick]

you can find 7mm-08 ammo anywhere in my area!

[aaronsmith]

270 is a fine cartridge, however, the problem that I have had in the past, with my experience, is that the sweet spot for bullet weight is 130 grains, as you stated in your video. The problem with that is when most of the "readily available ammo" that you buy off the shelf, has poor bullet construction. Lead core bullets with a thin, not so bonded as advertised, jacketed bullets are usually what is available at most stores. When you push these 130 grain compromised bullets at these high velocities, they tend to fragment when hitting hard bone such as the shoulder of a deer. I personally chased down a deer that I had shot in the hardest part of the shoulder at 45 yds with a .270 Remington Core Lokt 130gr. Bullet. Even though he was only running on 3 legs at that point I had to chase him through the sparse timber on my ATV and put another round in the back of his head as he was running away from me. Was this a freak and unfortunate thing that happened only to me? I dont know, but I never wanted it to happen again. That's why I now hand load my 270 cartridges with 130gr, monolithic copper, controlled expansion, bullets. Maybe that is another thing we should consider when selecting our best or favorite cartridges and it's readily available QUALITY HUNTING ammo.

[NoTaboos]

Would rather use 25-06 with 120gr bullets any day. This calibre is at its best with the heavier bullets.

[lefthandedarcher]

Easy to find ammo .243, .270, .308, and 30-06. if you already own one of these that’s the ultimate rifle buy ammo shot it enough to be proficient they’ll work

[Eman]

That was 15 minutes of my life I wish I hadn't wasted !

[thunderhawk]

Anything from 30-06 and down, recoil is not an issue! If it is, put a Limbsaver recoil pad on the buttstock and it's smooth sailing. 30-06, 7mm-08 and .270 are one of the best choices.

[joshrennow]

for 8 years I've only used 25-06 rem .out of a ruger 77 hawk eye and a ruger no.1 both are chambered for 25-06 and have sent many deer to the twinkling stars .however my other choices are 6mm rem. 30-06 spr. and last but not least 270 win.

[outdoordauber]

Regarding the 7mm-08, "there are better deer cartridges on the list"...that's an opinion. I personally think that the 7mm-08 is on of THE best deer calibers ever. As for ammo availability, my Walmart carries 4 or 5 loads (total) from a couple different manufacturers. 👎👎