.270 vs. 7mm Rem Mag vs. longer range calibers?

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the.dark.knight

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Hello there!

I am looking for a first rifle that will handle deer, moose, and elk. I have hunted with other guns in the past but now I want one of my own. Looking for a caliber that can reach out to 300-400 yards. I have done a fair bit of comparison on ballistics and the .270 and 7mm Rem Mag seem like some of the flattest shooting with very good ballistic coefficients. Also want to avoid the kick of some of the larger magnum calibers like the 300 win mag, 338 win mag, etc.

What does CGN think?
 
They are both basically 7mm's....(.277 vs .284), main difference is the twist rate with the 7mm having a faster twist, you will be able to shoot longer/heavier bullets out of the 7mm (top out around 175gr vs 150gr for the 270).
Factory 270 is loaded ok, factory 7mm is pretty anemic, 7mm can be reloaded to it's potential however.
Either one will work fine for what you intend. If you are a factory ammo guy, the 270 would be the better choice.
 
280 Ackley Improved would be my first choice, 6.5 PRC 2nd, either of those are great hunting cartridge with tolerable recoil but out to 3-400 yards pretty much any cartridge will fit the bill,
7mm-08, .308, 270, 30-06

Good quality bullet is as important as caliber inside of the ranges you mention, good luck with your new rifle.
 
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SuperCub said:
What does the 280AI have to offer over the 7mm Mag, trimming brass aside?
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As you are undoubtedly aware, AI cartridges produce magnum velocities with very little powder and no recoil. As if this wasn't enough, they also prevent hair loss and curb erectile dysfunction. I'm surprised you had to ask.
 
Leeper said:
As you are undoubtedly aware, AI cartridges produce magnum velocities with very little powder and no recoil. As if this wasn't enough, they also prevent hair loss and curb erectile dysfunction. I'm surprised you had to ask.
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That is good to know Bill !It also helps you lose weight hence no belt required on the 280 ai.
 
I've had a few 270's. With handloading I've always got to 3150 fps with 130 grains while being at or under max book loads. Maybe I'm lucky? This is with both 22 and 24" barrels. Pair this with a .460 bc interbond or the like and I'd say you're close to 7mm ballistics. Over 2100 fps at 500 yards
 
the.dark.knight said:
Hello there!

I am looking for a first rifle that will handle deer, moose, and elk. I have hunted with other guns in the past but now I want one of my own. Looking for a caliber that can reach out to 300-400 yards. I have done a fair bit of comparison on ballistics and the .270 and 7mm Rem Mag seem like some of the flattest shooting with very good ballistic coefficients. Also want to avoid the kick of some of the larger magnum calibers like the 300 win mag, 338 win mag, etc.

What does CGN think?
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Then 270 Win. is your cartridge......fast, flat and kills elk and moose, recoil is very mild.
 
Back again,

I do enjoy reloading and have done reloads for 7mm-08, .270 and others but not magnum cartridges. I prefer reloads to factory ammo so I definitely would reload for a new rifle as well.

Is the belt on the magnum cartridge a problem? Do some people not like the belts?

Thanks for all the feedback I really appreciate it.
 
the.dark.knight said:
Back again,

I do enjoy reloading and have done reloads for 7mm-08, .270 and others but not magnum cartridges. I prefer reloads to factory ammo so I definitely would reload for a new rifle as well.

Is the belt on the magnum cartridge a problem? Do some people not like the belts?

Thanks for all the feedback I really appreciate it.
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The belt on the 7RM serves no purpose as there is ample shoulder on the case. So it's pointless. But it's not a problem at all, I was just being sarcastic. :)
 
I use both the .270 and the 7mm RM for hunting and for the closer range I typically shoot, they both do the job just fine. Reload for both, both great accuracy and I usually just choose my 7mm RM because it has a better scope mounted. For longer hiking days, the lighter .270 gets the head nod. Both good choices but .270 will have an advantage for factory ammo, if that's your thing.
 
Zedbra said:
I use both the .270 and the 7mm RM for hunting and for the closer range I typically shoot, they both do the job just fine. Reload for both, both great accuracy and I usually just choose my 7mm RM because it has a better scope mounted. For longer hiking days, the lighter .270 gets the head nod. Both good choices but .270 will have an advantage for factory ammo, if that's your thing.
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:)True enough. While I don't actually have a 7mm RM, I do have an earlier very close commercially available calibre. The 7x61 S&H. This was made available by the efforts of Schultz & Larsen and Norma. Nine or ten years later, following the introduction of the slightly faster 7mm RM, Norma modified and increased the internal case dimensions, metallurgy and capacity, designating the improved case as the 7x61 Super. Ballistics of the 7mm RM and the 7x61 Super, virtually identical. And I agree with you;) concerning the 270 and 7mm RM in saying, "They're both good choices":).
 
the.dark.knight said:
Back again,

I do enjoy reloading and have done reloads for 7mm-08, .270 and others but not magnum cartridges. I prefer reloads to factory ammo so I definitely would reload for a new rifle as well.

Is the belt on the magnum cartridge a problem? Do some people not like the belts?

Thanks for all the feedback I really appreciate it.
Click to expand...

The 7mm Remington Magnum is head-spaced off of the belt, not the shoulder, that's the only difference with belted and non belted. A rimmed case is head-spaced off the rim. I've killed only a few animals with a 7mm Remington Magnum and all of them were DRT!
The second last elk (3 years ago) I killed was hammered with the 7mm Rem Mag. 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, at 305 paces, DRT. I don't enjoy shooting magnum cartridges, my old age does not agree with recoil anymore, not unless it has a muzzle brake attached. However, this cartridge shot with excellence. The 270 Win. is your best bet, awesome cartridge!!! The 30-06, a close second!!!
https://imgur.com/a/RueiohL
 
I like them both. Don't own a 7mm currently but I hunted with one for a long time. I was quite fond of the 7mm just because of the twist rate intended to stabilize 175's. I love the 175 grain bullets. Took my first moose with a 175gr Partition. 62 grains of RL22 and Federal 215 primer, fired out of a 26" Browning A-Bolt II in the mid-2900 fps range. Devastating.

That said, I do own a .270 after years of not owning one, and can definitely appreciate the performance of this old-timer with modern projectiles and propellants. StaBALL and Berger Hybrid Hunters are looking good in terms of ballistics at range, and it kicks less, and it weighs less, and it's about 4 inches shorter OAL, so that's a thing worth considering.

I've also got a .280AI but didn't buy it because it was an AI (I would have bought a .280 Rem or 7mm RM otherwise), just because I happened to like the platform for long range hunting/shooting (X-Bolt Long Range this time, 26" plus muzzle brake) and it might be a good middle ground but ammo is expensive and limited selection for loads and rifles.
 
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