What medium caliber in X-Bolt for deer?

M

MontyCop05

New member
So I've settled on the Browning X-Bolt for my next rifle, however I'm still debating my caliber choice. I will be using this new rifle for deer primarily, and want it to be able to handle whiteys, muleies, and maybe even elk. I also want flat shooting and was leaning towards a short action. I would also like it to be a caliber thats readily available throughout most of the county. My current set-up for anything I'm hunting with a rifle is a R-700 in 300 WinMag. Its just overkill on deer, and I want a rifle thats less punishing to shoot regularly.

I've narrowed down to the following calibers:
.243, 7mm-08, 25-06, .270

Feel free to recommend others that fit the criteria. (30-06, and .308 are off the table)

Also before you ask, I will be shooting factory ammo. I don't hand-load.
 
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243 is an awesome round. 6mm is a magic number caliber for long range 1000yd competitions.
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I'm not really worried about 1000 yrd or competitions. I'm concerned about knock-down power and an ethical kill at moderate distance.
 
and maybe even elk
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I'm not really worried about 1000 yrd or competitions. I'm concerned about knock-down power and an ethical kill at moderate distance.
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I'd look at the 7mm-08, 25-06, and 270 then. 270 is the cheaper route and will have the most readily available ammo, but you should be able to find them all and they'll all do the job. 7mm-08 is the short action option. They are all good cartridges.

BUT, I love my 243. You could get that and if you are going to hunt elk, use you 300 mag. Also a short action. Ammo is cheap and plentiful...very mildly recoiling, flat shooting with proper bullets selection, etc.
 
Factring in elk I would have to say either 7mm-08 or 270 win. Jack O'Connor hunted every species in the lower 48 with a 270 and caimed it was the best all around cartridge available. With proper bullet selection both are capable of all but the great bears IMO. Maybe a little small for moose but you have a 300 wm for that.
 
If elk are in the conversation, Go with the 270....
....Better yet, go with a 280 Rem.

Just out of curiosity, why did you fail to consider the 280 in your list?...or the 30-06?
 
Just out of curiosity, why did you fail to consider the 280 in your list?
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Honestly two reasons: Availability, and I don't know anyone that has, has had, or even shot one, let alone recommended it. (.280)

As for the 30-06, I already have a .30 cal that I can shoot lower powered rounds out of should I choose to re-zero frequently. And for the .308, I have plans for a heavy barrel target rifle in that caliber and see no reason to double up with a .308 hunting rifle.
 
Honestly two reasons: Availability, and I don't know anyone that has, has had, or even shot one, let alone recommended it.
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Your average country boy won't be using a 280, but it is a real prize. You now know one person who is officially recommending the 280! Do a search on it.
 
I have an unusual love of the .25-06, so that's my recommendation. However the .270 is a wonderful round and has better availability of commercial loads, probably cheaper too. Can't go wrong with any of them though.
 
I've never shot a .280, but a friend has one that he absolutely loves. He has a bunch of other rifles, but it seems his .280 is the one he often takes with him.

That being said, I'm a fan of the .243 for deer, but I'm not sure how it would do on anything bigger. 7mm-08 would be another good choice.
 
Shooting factory ammo, .270 or .243.... but you should really take up reloading.... You can get everything you need for barely $350.


Handloaded ammo:


7mm-08 or .25-06


The 7-08 with a 24" barrel will throw 110gr Barnes TTSX bullets in excess of 3,200fps, maybe 3,300. The .25-06 will throw 80gr TTSX bullet is excess of 3,600fps, maybe 3,700.

The 110gr is like Thor's Hammer on deer at 2,800fps from my 15" Encore in 7-08. That .25-06 80gr at 3,700 would be unreal. The hydrostatic shock at that speed would be amazing.
 
[The .25-06 will throw 80gr TTSX bullet is excess of 3,600fps, maybe 3,700./QUOTE]

What manual and are you using to get this kind of speed with a 25/06 and 80 grn bullet. My Barnes book shows a 90grn at 3559 and doesn't list an 80 grn. at all. In fact, I don't have a manual that lists an 80 grn.

None of my manuals has a 75 grn. that is much over 3,700, and most of the 85 grn loads are around 3,500.

In my opinion, the 25/06 is probably adaquate for elk, but definately on the light side.

Edit: Looked on the Barnes web page and found a load for the 80 TTSX at 3,800. Must be a new bullet and load because it is not in my 4th Edition Barnes. Also, with a load of 57.5 grns of Hybrid 100V, which is 2 grns. more than the max load for 75 grn. bullets in the Hodgson Manual, I would sure be approaching it with caution while doubting I would actually see that speed on a my crono.

Bill
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Awesome

I have an A Bolt in 300 win mag that I love. It shoots one inch patterns at 300 yards. I have killed three white tailes and one mule deer with it and threw away about 2 pounds of meat from them all due to damage. I would take a well placed shot from too much rifle over a bad shot from a just right rifle anyday. That being said the 270 is a great round for deer and I have been dreaming of an X-Bolt in 270 wsm for a couple years now. I would go with the higher velocity magnums simply for the long range accuracy. And dont worry anout the recoil, you are only going to shoot once anyhow right.
 
Since you're leaning towards a short action, my vote goes to the 7mm-08.

If short-action isn't a deal-breaker, my vote goes to the .270.

Good luck.
 
270 WIN, Easy to find ammo,fast flat shooting & hard hitting,hold up to long range, 130 GR. PILL is plenty IMHO.:D
 
My X-bolt is in .270 and it's my favorite rifle. I think you'd be better off with either a 7mm-08 or .270 both are great calibers and are more than capable of doing what you ask.

Depends if you want a standard or long action I suppose. And there might be a wider range of ammunition with good quality hunting projectiles available for the .270 than the 7mm-08. I don't know this for a fact as I don't own a .270 and i handload so i don't pay all that much attention to factory ammo prices but it's something that may be worth looking into.
 
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