Thread: Deer Caliber + Ammo Cost

Hi all,

Loving my 22lr but am already researching bigger calibres for a few months down the track or so. What are peoples thoughts on the .270 Win?

So far from the reading i've done i'm liking the look of the .270 Win and the .300 Win Mag. Was interested in the .243 also but gone off that as i'll probably eventually end up with a .223 or similar so i'd like to go bigger. Are these two options adequate for everything in NZ? There also seems to be a large selection of ammo for these two in the shops, so i'm guessing they're popular choices.

I'd like the ability to be able to take longer shots as I get better (500++ yds), but am also interested in keeping the ammo cost down (relatively). So which would you recommend for a nice flat shooter, the ability to take longer range shots as well as good ammo prices? Also happy to take any other suggestions that'd meet these requirements.

I basically know nothing about reloading so if people could mention reloading costs for their suggestions (if you reload) that'd be useful info. I might be too lazy and stick to factory ammo, but you never know!

Cheers all,
Matt

7mm08 , 270, 308 will be fine

Don't worry about shooting distance yet that's your excuse to buy another bigger gun

7mm rem mag, 300 wsm etc

then when you want to shoot further you got an excuse to buy another gun

338rum, 338 edge, 338 lapua

Then you want to shoot bunnies further away and you have an excuse to buy another gun

.223, 204r, 22-250

then ducks yet another excuse to buy another gun

12ga, 20g

Then you need a bigger gun safe

Hey Matt,

Where are you in the country, mate?

It's exciting looking into a deer rifle, good on you for researching. My advice would be to just get into it mate. I'm loving my .260 but would definitely not recommend it if you are after cheap off the shelf.

In saying that though, I was talking to a good honest (I hope!) guy in the know the other day and he made a good point - how many times will you be shooting deer each year? Realistically, maybe four times? (FYI bambi that'd be great, four times a year, you're not holding up your end of the deal!) so in comparison to the money you might dump into a hunt like time off work, gas, accommodation, clothing, gear...your ammo isn't really looking too expensive now is it! And wouldn't you want the most effective bullet doing the job for you?

That's how I'm justifying my calibre anyway

There are a lot of good buggers on here and you might just find someone in your area that will teach and show you some reloading stuff. If you're anything like me, getting in there and carrying out your own reloading is the way to learn it, not just reading it off a computer screen.

Also - what do you like? Have you had the opportunity to test out and shoot some of those calibres? What about makes, have you held and shot a make that you really loved?

Good luck, I can't wait to see your new big gun safe and all the new rifles!!!!!

6.5 I a great size for hunting IMO but you are about to be bombarded with every calibre and some you have never herd of on here.So maybe just get the best deal at the gun shop you buy from and go and learn more about finding deer than what you need to shoot the buggers because a rifle cant find deer for you no mater how exspensive or popular it is and when you put an animal on the ground for the first time the calibre and make of your rifle will not even enter your mind., just my 2.60 dollars of advice.And welcome to the hunting game.

If the 270 spins your wheels then buy in the knowledge that it will kill everything in this country
300 win mag is expensive overkill.

Mate remember that practise is important...

You want to be able to place your shot without a flinch that can sometimes come from the big boys when you are not used to it.

Your looking the right way, the .270 is enough but some say they kick harder than a .308 and the .308 is well priced and hits hard too.

Either one is suitable and you want something that you can practise with whilst not burning a hole in your wallet so you can know you will be on the money when its time to shoot.

Originally Posted by 199p

7mm08 , 270, 308 will be fine

Don't worry about shooting distance yet that's your excuse to buy another bigger gun

7mm rem mag, 300 wsm etc

then when you want to shoot further you got an excuse to buy another gun

338rum, 338 edge, 338 lapua

Then you want to shoot bunnies further away and you have an excuse to buy another gun

.223, 204r, 22-250

then ducks yet another excuse to buy another gun

12ga, 20g

Then you need a bigger gun safe

and for people like Kiwi Greg the next step up is a bloody tank!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ammo is the cheapest part of the exercise compare to all the other costs, buy the caliber that you think you want, realistically feeding it wont be an issue unless you are shooting more than a packet a week.
I started a long time ago with a brand new Sako 270, Sold it for a 26 inch barreled 25/06 (much better) sold that for a 7-08 in 1995. Sold that to buy a pistol (well 1/4 of one really) and so it goes on. If I were to buy something other than a 223 then i would be buying another 25/06 the only one I wish I had kept.

One last thing, Go for a common as mud everyone has it type of calibre then you can get ammo at nearly any chemist. Shooting a "490 Super Rooter Do Hickey" is all very well till you run out of ammo on a hunt

Sounds like .308 would be good for you. Cheap as ammo you can practise with alot then buy better stuff for the acutal hunting.

Hahaha..... Super doo Hickey.... Hahahahaa.....

Thought they killed everything all the time no matter where you shoot it?!

Originally Posted by Dougie

Hey Matt,

Where are you in the country, mate?

Also - what do you like? Have you had the opportunity to test out and shoot some of those calibres? What about makes, have you held and shot a make that you really loved?

Good luck, I can't wait to see your new big gun safe and all the new rifles!!!!!

Hey Dougie. Live in Christchurch. Spend most of my time working in Aus. Back about 10 days a mth for my R&R.

Most I've shot is a 223. Only just gotten into shooting a month ago and got a 10/22. Love it.

I'm one to research a lot and crunch all the numbers. Then after I'm set on a caliber it'll be whatever feels right in the shop as long as all the reviews, etc, of whatever it is are good!

I know what you're saying about usage but reason I consider cost is that I just love shooting. Would like to be able to practice heaps and just go out and shoot hundred or so shots at paper without it costing an arm and a leg, haha. Although I guess that's what .22's are for!

What sort of range could I expect from a .270 Win?

Mikee, what'd you like about the 25/06 over the .270?

7mm08 seems to be damn popular in NZ, can someone run me through why?

Cheers all for the responses.

Originally Posted by mposkitt

7mm08 seems to be damn popular in NZ, can someone run me through why?
Cheers all for the responses.

Cause theres lots of Aucklanders in New Zealand.

I loved the 25/06 cause

a) didn't boot too much
b) was flat shooting
c) shot my very first chamois with it at over 500 yards (I have the video to prove it, so there)
d) everything I pointed it at stayed dead
e) It was a good all rounder for me when I was living in Canterbury.
f) It was the only gun I owned at the time and most likely this is the reason why it gave me confidence, I simply used it fro everything from possums to ..........................

If you plan on shooting a lot then .308 as the ammo is cheap and it will knock over anything in NZ.

If you do really plan on going 500yd+ then sell the .308 and start looking at 300 win mag and 7mm rem mag etc, but remember that the ammo is pricey, they burn barrels and to make the most of them you will need a pricey scope. They're also pretty overkill for NZ at normal ranges.

Don't get tied up with "flat shooting", they're all similar out to 400 and past that you need to be dialing/compensating anyway.

That's just my opinion, you'll find plenty more on here.

The 25-06 is very popular in Aus, I'm not sure why but a few of the guys I shoot with in Aus reckon its a great all rounder.

As said, she shoots flat and hits nice and hard... But like mentioned before, confidence in your ability to place your shots is key. If you are looking over the 500 yd range then you are gonna need a decent optic and whilst they are not cheap if you buy something decent then you only cry once.

There is no such thing as the "do it all" rifle so figure out what you'll be doing most and configure it to that.

Originally Posted by mposkitt

7mm08 seems to be damn popular in NZ, can someone run me through why?

Cheers all for the responses.

7mm08 and .270 are close enough to the same thing (.270 slightly faster/harder/flatter) only differences comes in when reloading. The 7mm08 has better pill selection. You can't go wrong with either, using these cartridges really the weakest link is going to be the shooter for hunting in NZ.