No sh!+.

6.5 Creedmoor. Hornaday reloads using H4350 and Hornaday 143 gr. ELD-X bullets.

.270

I always reach for my 7MM-08 loaded with 150 GR Nosler BT, it has long been my favorite.

270 with a 130 grain leaded bullet. How can you go wrong with 80 years of proven performance!

Sitting on top a a mountain watching the sun come up so here is the report up to this point.
Pretty tough bullet all have been pass-thru except the Buck. Bullet on him was visible as it caused the hair on the opposite shoulder to stand up and you could feel the bullet just under hide.
Nice mushroom but no weight retained until I get home tonight.
On pass thru deer exit was 50 cent piece size holes no deer ran more than 40-50 yards.

It punches outside its' weight class. Flies far, hits hard, beats the wind. But the 162 gr is the key. Drop bullet weight and BC, and it isn't anything special.

(And don't call it crap )

And don’t punch above 162 either, I’ve decided the 7-08 and 162g was some sort of immaculate conception.

For a deer hunting rifle for me that would be my 270 win and 150 grain nosler partitions.

^^Agreed

It doesn't have the gas for a 175 gr or heavier in my opinion. At least not on a 24" barrel, or shorter.

My rental rifle is a 20" 7mm-08, 162 gr @2640 fps MV.
My light walking rifle is a 17" 7mm-08 A.I., 162 gr @2640 fps MV.

So, really I believe in it so much, I have two rifles making the same ballistics. One is super heavy (17 pounds) and is a joy to shoot. So much so, I will put kids behind it. The other is 7 pounds lighter, and still easy to shoot. The same suppressor is screwed onto each one. Both have killed piles of animals, and both have never let me down.

Awesome. Thanks.

This is how I am. I have to many different ones to call one a favorite. Anything from .243 to 300WM with a quality bullet and appropriate velocity will kill deer all about the same. I try to pick the right tool for the job. I want the power and range to make a good quick kill without being over gunned and ruining a bunch of meat. If I'm sitting in a tree stand with a close sot in the brush, I'll pick up my 30-30, or if I'm going to a stand where I might see a sounder of pigs, I might grab my 6.8 or my AR-10 .308, or if I'm going to sit over a field, I'll grab my .25-06 or my 300 WSM, or my 25 WSSM, or my 270, etc, etc. My problem isn't having one favorite, my problem is spreading the love and giving them all some time in the field.

25-06 with 117 gr Hornady Interlocks around 3200ish fps. Always get a pass through and huge blood trails even I can follow. Most DRT but a few have made it 40 yards or so. Been a LONG time since I've taken a deer. Planning to work up a load with 110 Accubonds.

That sounds promising. Thanks for the update. Keep knocking them dead.

120 grain Nos BT..

I wouldn't say the 7mm08 is boring.


pretty dang good round there. Probably the best SA caliber available for multi purpose hunting.

Close to the same for me. My favorite deer cartridge is the one that kills pigs the best -- I'll shoot any pig I see and won't shoot every deer I see. 308 180 grain Nosler Partitions do wonders on swine and work better than average for deer. 20 of them in a Scar 17 with an Omega 30 on the end and I'm good for a sounder or a whitetail.

Bolt guns I don't have a favorite...maybe Jason's will become my favorite once it draws blood

Im not arguing its a better choice at all. I chose the 175 because I could get the velocity I wanted and wanted all the bullet I could throw.

I know that in the longer barrel the 162 would get more velocity also, but comparing your current 2640 with the 162 and mine with 175's at 2605 and using Hornady's G7 bc's the 175 have about the same or marginally less vertical correction and wind drift.

Read what I wrote again. How long is your barrel?

Good God, friendly discussion.

Read what I wrote too. Yes I know yours suffer velocity loss due to the barrel length. Mine is 26 inches. My comment is you love the external ballistics of yours and my load/barrel produces a just as capable load.

Yours is handicapped by barrel length/velocity loss. Mine is handicapped by bullet weight velocity loss. Two different ways to get to the same point is all im saying.

Are yours re-chamberred/re-barreled Tikkas or what? That seems to be an easy choice, for me anyway.

Good God, I know that and I don't know where your feelings got hurt. I'll repeat myself since you missed it twice.

"It doesn't have the gas for a 175 gr or heavier in my opinion. At least not in a 24" barrel or shorter."

Yours is over 24"..

Tikka actions. One has a Bartlein. The other has a re-chambered Tikka 7mm-08 barrel to 7mm-08 A.I. I will replace that Tikka barrel soon.

300BLK.

30-06 most places. 30-30 for short range.