Thread: Advice Needed: Choosing Caliber for Open Tops Hunting

Get a 270.

270 projectiles are all designed for hunting (not matches) and the 6.5PRC is just a short fat 270 with slightly better ballistics (don't worry, the deer don't notice).

Nothing bloody wrong with the mighty 6mm rem, apart from rifle selection, factory ammo availability or decent brass supply

Projectile construction and shot placement..... Either will allow you to pretty much do whatever you need with whatever is at hand,and do it well. A basic cup n core like rem corloct or Hornady interlock from a 6mm through to 8mm traveling between 2500-3200 fps will take care of pretty much anything that walks on these shores with ease.

Shot placement takes care of fast kill and/or meat wastage. Some have said 270 wastes meat.... Damage = quick kill and goes nowhere,place same damaging pill slightly behind foreleg or in the neck and you loose stuff all meat. Put a hard pill through both shoulder bones and will loose some but not huge amount. It's all swings n roundabouts.

I always get a giggle out of these threads. I wouldn't stand in front of any of the aforementioned calibers out to 700 yds . Here is a red deer shot with a .223 at 416 yds .

Originally Posted by Nathan F

I always get a giggle out of these threads. I wouldn't stand in front of any of the aforementioned calibers out to 700 yds . Here is a red deer shot with a .223 at 416 yds .
Attachment 254018

was probably already dead from starvation,the .223 just took its leg off.

If you look at what most deer are shot with out to 300-400yrds. It seems a bullet weight of 100-150gns traveling somewhere between 2700-3000fps with an average bc would some up whats most commonly used. Most of the new cartridges match and/ or barely improve on the old tried and true so don't be fooled. Look at what ever caliber you like that perform in the above parameters and you will be fine. I'd say somewhere in the middle, 120-140gn around 2800-2900fps and job done. Doesn't matter what caliber throws it. A 140 grain bullet at 2800fps with an average bc will perform the same as one of similar weight out of a bigger or smaller hole with a similar speed and similar bc and construction.

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Some great advice on here.
My 2c. Get a .308 or 7mm-08 for a start. Chop the barrel to 18”-20” and put a suppressor on. Setup the rifle properly and learn to shoot the gun properly and learn to reload. Once all setup you now have a hack hunting cartridge that is cheap to run and easy to reload for, have learnt how to reload and shoot and you have learnt from mistakes. You have a gun you can shoot out to 5-600 yards with the right bullet, setup and practise,
on game in good conditions and you have made your mistakes on a gun that is cheaper to make mistakes on than a larger more expensive caliber. This setup can cover any situation you may come across except the extreme ranges. Once you feel comfortable with this you could move to a bigger calibre if you decide that you need one. Have had 7RM, 300wsm, 2506, 30-06, 308 & 7mm08. The last 2 calibres are all I have used on game for the last 2 years as I only go hunting in good weather (unless I’m bush hunting). I impose a personal limit of 600yds on deer deer in perfect conditions. Cheap to run and practise with, easy to get shooting well and I plenty of grunt with the right bullet. So now it’s the 308 and 7mm08 for me. You won’t regret either. Just a thought. Every time I reach for the 7mm08 I keep finding latte sachets in my pack! Can’t explain it 😉

One important piece of advice if your dad goes down the .308 path.
If you stop at a cafe, pub, supermarket on your way hunting. Don’t let him start talking about his 308. If there’s woman around, you’re likely to end up with a stepmom too.

Originally Posted by Yesmate

was probably already dead from starvation,the .223 just took its leg off.

That pic makes it look skinny. Actually wasn’t too bad fr a September deer. But yes very dead.

When I chose my open tops calibre, I mainly took into consideration the ballistics. The more sleek the bullet, the less wind deflection. Can almost always count on wind. 7mm is sweet spot. I also wanted something flat flat shooting that carries good speed down range to make the bullet work. The recoil is also a great deal less than the 30 cal magnums, unless you want to shoot a muzzle brake. My suggestion, would be a 6.5 prc with a long barrel, 280 or 280 ai, 7mm rem mag or 7prc. 270 win or wsm would be close behind. YouTube has a heck of a lot of information if you binge watch a heap of different calibre videos and subtract the egotistical bull crap

Originally Posted by Yesmate

was probably already dead from starvation,the .223 just took its leg off.

It's got that look about it alright.
That 223 must be good. That hole isn't anywhere near the vitals.

Excuse the kids photography, little fat on it. Just back strapped it from memory.
@7mmwsm yes the .223 is really good

Originally Posted by craigc

Heaps of great choices here. However if I was your dad I’d keep it simple. .308 or 7mm08. I’ll never forget the great ammo shortage of 2021 (or whenever it was), with that in mind I’d go for .308.
As for the person who mentioned .308 being a bit too heavy for fallow, I shoot 130, 155, 168 and 180 grain projectiles out of mine, I’ve shot plenty of fallow with it, generally use the 130s for fallow.
The real advantage of the .308 is the availability of ammo, some of the above mentioned calibres have had ammo shortages.

That is great advice. Having a 7mm08 during Covid was grim. Sako Gamehead 140g only came in stock in March after 3 years. 308 - rows of ammo choices. I heard the 308 ammo is much cheaper to manufacture compared to 7mm08, so hence the depth of stock during covid? Hum. If I was starting out again, it would probably be the 308 given the range of ammo options for bush and tops.

Originally Posted by Snoppernator

That is great advice. Having a 7mm08 during Covid was grim. Sako Gamehead 140g only came in stock in March after 3 years. 308 - rows of ammo choices. I heard the 308 ammo is much cheaper to manufacture compared to 7mm08, so hence the depth of stock during covid? Hum. If I was starting out again, it would probably be the 308 given the range of ammo options for bush and tops.

When that ammo shortage came right i bought 20 boxes of ammo (which will last me years) it was a grim time to own a 7mm08 and to not be a reloader!