SmallCaliberCentral

I am going to buy a new deer rifle. My question is 270 or 308.
Where I hunt my shots will be around 300yds max. I don't want to break
the bank, (married with children). I would like to stay around the 4-5 hundred
area for the gun. So, which caliber and gun maker do you think would fit my needs?

Ruger American. Your choice.....

huntsman22 wrote:Ruger American. Your choice.....

X2 Excellent for the money. Very accurate..

There is a broader range of bullet weights for the 308 vs. the 270 but I'd imagine the 270 will hit a little harder and shoot a tad flatter than the 308 will using the same weight of bullet. The 308 is a SA caliber whereas the 270 is a long action round. I believe both calibers would fill your needs quite well.

As far as manufacture...there are plenty to choose from but i'd do some homework and decide whether you want a good shooter out of the box or do you want to tinker with it a little. I have Remington, Cooper, CZ, Ruger, Savage, Winchester, Weatherby, Marlin...they all have their plus & minus.

HTH,

For the money, Remington 700 SPS. I've got several in smaller calibers that shot sub moa out of the box. My thoughts, If it does not shoot like you want or you get tired of it, you will have a great action for a build down the road. Jim D

I own, and shoot an older Ruger Mdl 77 in 270 cal. I've been shooting this rifle for deer for better than 50 yrs. My bullet choice has always been 130 grn core loks. Have taken deer from 50yds to out over 400 yds, So my choice is a 270. But as Jim said, a lot more choices in bullets for any 30 cal.
If I had to replace this rifle, my choice would be a Howa in 270. Excellent quality and accuracy right out of the box. And they are priced right. When I purchased my Howa in 204, it was over 200.00 less expensive than any other rifle I looked at, and I looked at quit a few before buying my Howa. So I was able to buy the best glass for the rifle, without breaking the bank. Also something to consider with whatever rifle you choose. Keep in mind You need to be comfortable and more important, confident in the rifle you choose.
Also, as an old timer told me, when I chose my 270, it don't matter what you hit em with, as long as bullet placement is in the kill zone.
Have fun and enjoy your new rifle!

Another long time shooter of the .270W, here. Although it's true that there are MANY more .30 caliber bullets to choose from, there are more than enough excellent options out there for the .270 shooter. Load up some 90-100 grain HP's and you have an excellent long range coyote gun. Move up to a 130 grain Partition or Core-Lok and you are set for antelope and deer, 140 grain and you have reasonable elk round. My Model 700 is a bit younger than futertrades' Ruger. It will celebrate its' 35th birthday this Fall! For some good reading on this cartridge, google Jack O'Connor and 270 Winchester.