That 0.027 difference
- Thread starter a0jc
- Start date
Applefarmer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Lime Stone City
Scout Rifle would need a short action not a long action. 7mm-08 or 308. I've never gone with the 7mm-08 myself, only because the 308 is The Work Horse as per Bob Millek many moons ago. Nothing wrong with the 7mm-08 and those that have it love it. The 308 is just there, always working and ammo always available, boring and it works. No Deer every stood up and said... That was too much gun!
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
You're really asking for a lot with your request. From varmints to big game with one round, and in a scout style rifle, with ammo from wal-mart and can-tire? That's a huge order; maybe impossible. The .270 is a good choice, but it's along action. Some guys don't care, some do. You WILL have to make a some sacrifice either leaning more towards the varmint or more towards the big game. If your biggest big game is deer, then .243 with proper handloads would be fine, and in a short action, and will do great on varmints. If your big game is moose, then a .308 would be more in order, with some 110gr HP's loaded for varmints.
Yea, I know. That's why I'm spending quite the time musing about it. See, now I'm changing my mind again because I really don't prefer long action rifles. Just a preference. 7mm-08 might be what I'm looking for or just man up and accept .308 and handload varmint rounds in some form or manner.
- Location
- Miramichi, NB
7mm-08 best of both worlds
Applefarmer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Lime Stone City
Never seen a .270 Winchester in a short action other than the .270wsm, which would also be a nice short action if the ammo was priced in line of the 7mm-08 or .308
Above is the best advice in the thread.
If a "scout-type" rifle is what you are interested in stick with the .308 or
7mm-08 and enjoy it's versatility as Boomer suggested.
Save your varminting for your .22
I have seen 7mm-08 at Can Tire and Wal Mart.
But if box store availability is a criteria then he might consider buying at least four of the same rifles in four different calibers as stocks of even the more common types of ammo types can vary greatly in such locations.
Oartly, it also depends on just WHERE you will be hunting. I would go for a .270 because you can load it with 130-grain slugs and, around here, you can often NEED that range, especially for shooting deer on the sidehills of the river valley, where a 500-yard shot can make or break your hunt. As well, the .270 HAS the reach to take an animal on the other side of the quarter, and do it with 1 round. You can't say that for the .243.
Sure, it's a long action and it's an old cartridge (came out in the 1920s) and it is based on the old .30-'03 casing (roughly 2mm longer than a '06). But if you want ONE rifle that will do five-eighths of ANYTHING, with the .270 you will have that versatility. You can load 130 for jumper, 140 for booboo, 150 for MOOse and you're in business. Put enough glass on it and load with 110 or 130 and you have a fairly decent gopher gun, too, although we generally use a .22RF on them, at least out to 125 or so yards. Then the big guns come out and the ranges increase.
The .270 is an old cartridge but it has the case capacity to be loaded for just about anything. Powder technology has improved a lot since it was introduced and the newer powders enable you to get the full potential of this fine old round without going to utterly-silly pressure levels and burning out your barrel in 500 rounds.
A very close friend of mine just gave away his prized 1948 FN Mauser in .270. He bought it, second-hand, in 1954. Last month, it took yet another moose. Original barrel and a LOT of deer between those two events.
Only other calibre I can think of that is almost as useful as an all-round gun is the .303...... and likely you don't want one of those, anyway.
Sure, it's a long action and it's an old cartridge (came out in the 1920s) and it is based on the old .30-'03 casing (roughly 2mm longer than a '06). But if you want ONE rifle that will do five-eighths of ANYTHING, with the .270 you will have that versatility. You can load 130 for jumper, 140 for booboo, 150 for MOOse and you're in business. Put enough glass on it and load with 110 or 130 and you have a fairly decent gopher gun, too, although we generally use a .22RF on them, at least out to 125 or so yards. Then the big guns come out and the ranges increase.
The .270 is an old cartridge but it has the case capacity to be loaded for just about anything. Powder technology has improved a lot since it was introduced and the newer powders enable you to get the full potential of this fine old round without going to utterly-silly pressure levels and burning out your barrel in 500 rounds.
A very close friend of mine just gave away his prized 1948 FN Mauser in .270. He bought it, second-hand, in 1954. Last month, it took yet another moose. Original barrel and a LOT of deer between those two events.
Only other calibre I can think of that is almost as useful as an all-round gun is the .303...... and likely you don't want one of those, anyway.
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
I chose the .270 win when asking the same question. Ammo availability is the kicker, otherwise 25-06 or 7mm-08 were other great options.
It's a tall order and in any compromise situation you're hardly ever going to be carrying the "Ideal Gun" in any given situation. This may lead to frustration and the purchase of several more rifles, believe me, I know.
More to ponder. Savage 250 and 300. Me -it would be a 308 no problem. I reload so why are you planning to load on the road? Whats up with that. Load a whack of what works and get on with it. Carry it with you. I have 110gr bullets for my 308 and right up to 180 but favor the 150-165gr loads. I leave the 180gr loads for my 30-06. Then again I like my levers and these are all easy to get in a Savage 99. Currently own two. 308 is everywhere period. Even at the back of Harveys general store and grocery. Along with the 22lr, 12ga, 30-30 and 30-06.
