Opinions wanted, looking for my first whitetail deer gun, 25-06 or 243, 270 Win

+1 on .270 out of those choices. Many rifle choices, you can buy ammo at canadian tire and wal-mart for cheap, and you can have the option for larger game. Super solid all-round introductory cartridge for sure! I don't know if I'd call it the best in the world haha but definitely very versatile.

Duff
 
Regarding the rifle, a remington 7600 pump with low powered scope would be my recommendation. It is still one of the best guns ever made for big game hunting in Canada. I am not a fan of hinged floor plates found on many bolt actions.
Regarding chambering, the OP hasn't outlined his experience. Recoil from a 8 lb, 30-06 for example can be a little much for a new shooter and result in a flinch. More information is required before I'd suggest a 270, because it's recoil is similar to 30-06 to me. For a new shooter, the .243 or 7-08 are a better place to start for that reason.
 
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Rather than going off the board as some have, of the three calibers, the 270. More power than the 243, better range of bullets than the 25-06.

I have a T3 and like it, but the browning is a nicer rifle if you can afford the difference. Nikon makes good glass, and has good warranty in Canada.
 
Just another personal view. I have owned all 3 calibers listed. I only use the 243 on coyotes but have used the 25-06 & 270 on black bear and moose. My view is why put yourself at a disadvantage when you can have all the power you want. The 270 with the choice of bullets now available wil do it all and do it well. If you have to be limited to 1 rifle for now get one that will do the deer you looking for and anything else you might need. If you are only doing deer I still like the 25 but the 270 will do all thetand a little more.
 
As mentioned already, the 270 would be my choice for a first deed rifle. Power, Speed and availability of ammo suitable for most big game.
Also as mentioned above the 308 would be a good choice as well.

Myself I am partial to the Roberts.

David
 
There all good. There all accurate even if 25-06 has the edge on this one. Of the three, if solely for deer, 243. If you like to blast some yotes on the side, 25-06 then 270. If maybe you would like to go a bit larger than deer, well answer is 270. But.... i have to say that, 6.5x55 is the one i got for everything from yotes to moose.
 
My old man has hunted deer with an old Sako .243 for 40+ years. Never lost one, some of them (whitetails) dressed 225+, some were 300+ yard shots. With 100gr pills it's more then enough for deer.
 
Geeze, give you game a chance at a quick, humane death. 308 minimum for deer through elk and keep the range minimum for the elk and moose - unless you self identify as..... ..... recoil sensitive.
 
dugasgunner said:
There all good. There all accurate even if 25-06 has the edge on this one. Of the three, if solely for deer, 243. If you like to blast some yotes on the side, 25-06 then 270. If maybe you would like to go a bit larger than deer, well answer is 270. But.... i have to say that, 6.5x55 is the one i got for everything from yotes to moose.
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This.^^^
 
Rob! said:
Geeze, give you game a chance at a quick, humane death. 308 minimum for deer through elk and keep the range minimum for the elk and moose - unless you self identify as..... ..... recoil sensitive.
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If you need a .308" bullet to provide quick human kills on deer, then you really don't know what you are doing.:stirthepot2:
 
Depends where you are hunting. If I was in grizzly country shooting a whitetail with a 25-06 I'd be a little nervous. If not, all three are good. If you were I'd probably want a 308 or 30-06 or similar calibre.
 
The .243 is the dirtiest trick a fellow can play, when strictly talking about a deer rifle.
Year in and year out it does, what almost everyone says can't be done, accurately and reliably at well more than double the distances posted.

Those that know, know. Those that don't, recommend something else. : )

R.
 
hometownhero said:
I would choose a 280 for a normal non mag chambering. Way better bullet selection
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I hear this point every time this debate comes up. and it makes me laugh. Fact is, there is plenty of bullet selection to keep a 270 shooter happy.

How many of those 7mm bullets do you use on a reg basis? If huge bullet selection is important, why don't all these 7mm shooters switch to 30cal?

No flames ........ Just sayin'! :)
 
I'll bite....,
.270win all the way. It's my absolute favourite. Low recoil, lots of knockdown power for almost all non dangerous big game in North America. Flat shooting, readily available ammo, it has a great history (Jack O'Connor) and I love a long action bolt gun.
 
SuperCub said:
I hear this point every time this debate comes up. and it makes me laugh. Fact is, there is plenty of bullet selection to keep a 270 shooter happy.

How many of those 7mm bullets do you use on a reg basis? If huge bullet selection is important, why don't all these 7mm shooters switch to 30cal?

No flames ........ Just sayin'! :)
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Good post ! And isn't the same said in numerous discussions regarding other cartridges ?
When I had 270s I used only one bullet and in my 7mms same thing, 30 cal. No more than two different weights.
 
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