Boone and Crockett did a survey one time. They compiled a list of cartridges that hunters used to kill North American big game and big bucks that ultimately made their record book. Not surprisingly, here are the top 4 rounds:
–.300 magnum (used by 18 percent of the hunters in the survey): This includes the .300 Win. Mag and .300 Rem. Ultra Mag. A lot of the animals killed in this survey were big and tough, like bears and elk. But quite a few record-size mule deer and whitetails were felled with the flat-shooting .300 too. Never a bad choice, IF you can handle some recoil.
–.270 (12 percent): The .270 is still one of the kings and always will be, no matter how many sexier, flatter-shooting cartridges are developed. The .270 is a proven performer and has little recoil, so most hunters shoot it well. Fine whitetail cartridge, all things considered probably the best. After a few years of hunting with other cartridges, I find myself going back to my Remington Model 783 in .270…I shoot a few more bucks with it and wonder why I ever stop using that fine rifle.
–.30/06 (11 percent): Only thing surprising is that it didn’t rank higher in the top 2. Still the best all-around big game cartridge on the planet. I’ve killed sheep, black bears, caribou, elk and lots of deer with 150-, 165- and 180-grain bullets; why I ever stopped hunting with the .30-06 I really don’t know, but I haven’t shot mine in years. I need to go back to this venerable cartridge again.
–-7mm Rem. Mag. (10 percent): The 7 Mag. will always have a following, especially with elk and mule deer hunters out West, where it really cannot be topped. I used this cartridge a lot last fall, and while it performed well, I need more range and hunting time with it to feel comfortable.
Which rifle and cartridge do you hunt with?
Somehow my reply did not stick the other day! Been shooting Rem 742, 700 for 50 yrs. First deer w Spanish Mauser 7 x57, and Great Uncles Savage Super Sporter (1921). 30-06 is favorite but can not have too many rifles as all are fun to shoot.
I bet Remington likes for you to not use that 783 .270 so you can market the newer, “sexier” models they come out with each year.
Hey Mike I’ve been using a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in 7mm Rem Mag 150gr Win PowerPoint… This setup has worked for the last 25 years. Although I did try Winchester Deer Season XP 140gr ammo last year and that did the job too. I think I keep using this setup as my #1 because I’m so comfortable with the rifle.
I have shot deer with Win 30-30, Rem 7mm-08,Ruger lever 44mag, plus Slug guns and Muzzleloaders, but that Win in 7mag has a special place….
HEY MIKE, I’VE BEEN USING WIN 270WSM FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS
ITS BEEN MONEY FOR SHOTS I HAVE TAKEN AT 200YDS
THANKS FOR THE GOOD BLOGS
JOHN
Mike you wonder why you drifted away from using some cartridges, I wonder why I have so many different rifles in so many different cartridges in the safe. Any of them are very capable of killing big game an most of the rifles have everything from couses deer in AZ. with a .223 to African lion and cape buffalo with a .458Lott.