Best round for Reds

[wytonpjs]

@wytonpjs any input?

A similar thread to this one here:

Post in thread 'What ammo for scottish reds'

Oct 2, 2025

I use the 110gr TTSX in my .270 for fallow at range. I’ll be taking it up on Sunday for this year’s week on reds in Scotland. I’ll be taking a .308 too using 130gr TTSX, a round which has served me very well during the 13 weeks I managed over the years on Arran

• wytonpjs

That was the first week I’d one on red stags with the .270 and it was flawless, putting 5 beauties down at some good ranges up on the hill. That spiker with you was only my 6th. After years using 20” .308s with 130gr TTSX on all reds I’ve taken previously, I think I’m a total convert now to the .270 for all fallow and reds.

Previous thread with loads:

Post in thread 'Lightweight (110-130gr) etc 308 non toxic'

Mar 2, 2025

I'm using 110gr TTSX in my .270 and 130gr in both my 308s and have been for about 8 years now. The 22" .270 has a MV of 3298 fps using N135, the .308s (both 20" D18 Sako/Tikka barrels) 2945 fps using IMR4895. Both calibres are principally used on reds and fallow and if I had to be honest, I would say I get more meat damage from the 130gr TTSX. Both put animals on the deck PDQ and with minimal or no running from HILAR shots.
I have some 110gr .308 TTSX to load but haven't got around to doing that yet nor trying the N140 I have with the 130's.

• wytonpjs

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[wytonpjs]

@wytonpjs any input?

So, given you’ll have shot more reds than I will ever in my lifetime, what’s your view especially as you get to see so many others choice of calibre and rounds please?

 

[Chris Richardson]

ive got .308 and 7-08 both have knocked some big reds down with no bother , used to own a .270 also a very capable round , 140 soft point in the 7mm and 150s in the .308

 

[Rsl]

7x57 every day of the week!!! It is low recoil, very versatile and efficient. For reds, I use 139 grains Hornady SSTs and if you reload, you have a whole world of possibilities.

 

[tackb]

Hi,

Have a 6.5 creedmoor for stalking but am considering a larger calibre for reds. Any suggestions?

what sort of reds ?

highland reds .243 is fine

great big fat lowland dollop reds .243 is also fine if you can shoot , personally i prefer 6.5cm which has flattened them out to 400m for me

oh yeah , 45/70 - 300rum - 308 all work as well

 

[devon deer stalker]

So, given you’ll have shot more reds than I will ever in my lifetime, what’s your view especially as you get to see so many others choice of calibre and rounds please?

I think it is not just impacted by choice of calibre/bullet, but the person behind the trigger.
I have, and still do use my .243 and 80g Barnes TTSX into the engine room of the red, is that the best solution for reds?, probably not, I mainly use my 6.5x55 Swede 120g Barnes TTSX, the last 3 reds I shot dropped on the spot, at ranges less than 200m.
I don't head shoot, and don't permit my clients too so will not suggest anything.

The calibre I did love was the 30-06 and 180g lead Nosler Partition, job done.

But of course, the good old .270 is a brilliant calibre, and coupled with an accurate stalker as yourself worked well with the 110g Barnes TTSX

 

[wytonpjs]

I think it is not just impacted by choice of calibre/bullet, but the person behind the trigger.
I have, and still do use my .243 and 80g Barnes TTSX into the engine room of the red, is that the best solution for reds?, probably not, I mainly use my 6.5x55 Swede 120g Barnes TTSX, the last 3 reds I shot dropped on the spot, at ranges less than 200m.
I don't head shoot, and don't permit my clients too so will not suggest anything.

The calibre I did love was the 30-06 and 180g lead Nosler Partition, job done.

But of course, the good old .270 is a brilliant calibre, and coupled with an accurate stalker as yourself worked well with the 110g Barnes TTSX

Agree completely.

Similarly using the 80gr TTSX in .243 but as my Summer general stalking round for roe and muntjac - it may have also accounted for a few fallow

 

[gixer1]

Why change the 6.5 you have?!?! A 140gr will drop a red at any sensible range in the same way a 270 will!

If you just want another gun and to use it as justification then fine, but a 6.5CM will do the job with authority.

If you want something bigger - go 30-06, it has one of the biggest range of bullet weights and performance is fantastic.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[HonestJohn]

7x57 and 30-06. The two best in my book.

 

[Mike1979]

6.5 Creed will do the job without issue, as will .243, all other (less superior) 6.5s .270, .308 etc etc. Better a small bullet in the right place then a big bullet in the wrong place.

 

[Bowland blades]

The best bullet for your 6.5 is a Barnes tTSX in a 100 or 120 grain . I generally prefer the 100 grain as i find shooting longer ranges it opens up better on longer shots, opening up the petals is more important than the higher 20 grain weight of the 120.
I use a 260 rem with 1-7.5 twist , Accuracy wise both are the same though a lighter bullet recoils less and this helps when you need to drop a few at a time ( marginal but it matters ) Only deer i have not shot with this set up is Fallow as i haven't shot fallow in over 20 years perhaps at a guess

 

[SikaSeeker]

6.5 Creed will do the job without issue, as will .243, all other (less superior) 6.5s .270, .308 etc etc. Better a small bullet in the right place then a big bullet in the wrong place.

What about a big bullet in the right place?

 

[Mike1979]

What about a big bullet in the right place?

Smart Arse I suppose it depends where the hole is .... but on a serious note cant fault your logic within reason (wouldnt want a 50 BMG hole )

 

[Chris Richardson]

The best bullet for your 6.5 is a Barnes tTSX in a 100 or 120 grain . I generally prefer the 100 grain as i find shooting longer ranges it opens up better on longer shots, opening up the petals is more important than the higher 20 grain weight of the 120.
I use a 260 rem with 1-7.5 twist , Accuracy wise both are the same though a lighter bullet recoils less and this helps when you need to drop a few at a time ( marginal but it matters ) Only deer i have not shot with this set up is Fallow as i haven't shot fallow in over 20 years perhaps at a guess

actually the best bullet performance wise would be a lead one

 

[andyk]

Factory only or will you hand load?

If factory, I’d limit your search to 308 or 30-06 (plus perhaps a magnum). I like the 270 but having had 2 and shot factory ammo over a chrono, a lot is only achieving 2,800 to 2,900fps with a 130gr. Couple that with the bullets having worse BCs than most 6.5s, there’s going to be minimal real world gain.

I’d say the same for most other non 30 cal/non magnum cartridges, the tendency of factory ammo to be a bit mellow could easily mean you’d have no real benefit over the Creed.

If hand loading, it’s a totally different ball game as you can wring full performance out of some good cartridges like the 270, 7x57 etc.

Edit - another consideration is just to try a different bullet. When I used a 270 I would hand load a 150gr partition (have a read of Nathan Fosters thoughts) and it was a spectacular killer on reds. If you’ve got a hard 140gr, you might find a 120gr going a bit quicker will make the difference. Reds aren’t that big compared to what some people hunt, so a bully built for tough North American or Scandinavian hunting is going to be a bit hard on a Red.

 

[Dhindes]

Lots of things to be said in favour of the .308 over pretty much anything especially versatility.
Just let those knowledgeable chaps at Sako help you decide….

View attachment 456709

if you look here you can see why 7x64 is so popular un Europe, and why I use 9.3x62 for boar !

 

[Dave_45]

actually the best bullet performance wise would be a lead one

There is really nothing wrong with copper if you pick the right one and right place.

Get used to it because the ban will come , anything to make shooting more difficult for is.

 

[av1]

Factory only or will you hand load?

If factory, I’d limit your search to 308 or 30-06 (plus perhaps a magnum). I like the 270 but having had 2 and shot factory ammo over a chrono, a lot is only achieving 2,800 to 2,900fps with a 130gr. Couple that with the bullets having worse BCs than most 6.5s, there’s going to be minimal real world gain.

I’d say the same for most other non 30 cal/non magnum cartridges, the tendency of factory ammo to be a bit mellow could easily mean you’d have no real benefit over the Creed.

If hand loading, it’s a totally different ball game as you can wring full performance out of some good cartridges like the 270, 7x57 etc.

Edit - another consideration is just to try a different bullet. When I used a 270 I would hand load a 150gr partition (have a read of Nathan Fosters thoughts) and it was a spectacular killer on reds. If you’ve got a hard 140gr, you might find a 120gr going a bit quicker will make the difference. Reds aren’t that big compared to what some people hunt, so a bully built for tough North American or Scandinavian hunting is going to be a bit hard on a Red.

factory mate, I have some 140g normapoints which I bought for reds but sadly none were around.

 

[cjm1066]

Lea McNally liked the 243, others the 270 - lots of calibres in-between. David Lloyd liked the 264.

A rifle that you like and can shoot well is a huge priority.

 

[av1]

Thank you for your advice guys, in view of timescales in acquiring a variation in northants these days, I think I will stick with my sakos20 and hopefully the normapoints 140g will do the job with the reds.