New Highland Calibre - What to go For
- Thread starter Pazza89
- Start date
i still use a 270w love it but if things go well i might need to get a 7mm rem mag for heavier sika stags at longer range but 270 with 110gr bullets is all i use on deer now
Magnificent 7
Well-Known Member
I've used 243 and 308 for highland reds love the 308 cound t get on with the 243 tbh unsure why ive since added 300 win mag for the hill amd abroad as its a flatter shootong round that I can reload for or easily source factory ammo must admit locally quality factory stuff is a bit scarce at the moment but my local gunshop has agreed to get some in im also planning on trying lead free at some point
270 is the traditional Highland round. The 275 Rigby or 7-57 M as an excellent choice for all deer species and the odd few hundred elephant.
Thomas Gordon
Well-Known Member
Having owned both the 6.5X55 and the 308 out of that two id pick the 308 hands down. The sweed was very smooth to shoot very little recoil, I found it on copper bullets that it lacks the knocking power for reds and sika (my personal opinion I fully expect ill hear the 6.5 die hards wont like the comment). Bullets for the 308 were cheaper and more readily available, and certainly has the knocking power. Yeah some people will say it shoots like a banana but if its 200m you would be safe enough.
That being said if it were me I would be going for a 270 ..... each to their own.
Not sure why this popped up as new on my feed, post is from 2020
That being said if it were me I would be going for a 270 ..... each to their own.
Not sure why this popped up as new on my feed, post is from 2020
Same here in all honesty, considering I came from a strictly target shooting background and I despise fuddery in all its forms, Ive been very impressed with my .270 and its performance, would highly recommended to newbies to stalking, although not necessarily to complete shooting newbies.
Brighty3006
Well-Known Member
Probably sorted as the post was 2020
to be fair if you had a 1-8 twist 243win it would do all you need running LRX Barnes 95 grain copper ! 308win or a 270 would bring more bullet weight and out of the last two I would personally go 270 its very suited to the Scotland Just make sure your choice what ever you get a rifle that is set up with a copper friendly twist ( most are btw ) . If you are shooting beasts to 250 ... What happens when you make a bad shot ? You will need to shoot further out than your thinking.
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
Here’s the ballistics table for the rifles under discussion - it gives a more detailed breakdown of each chamberings performance. 
Personally I find a .308 homeload of 125 gns Sierras Prohunters over a moderate charge of Viht N140 trundling along at 3000 fps does nicely…
Personally I find a .308 homeload of 125 gns Sierras Prohunters over a moderate charge of Viht N140 trundling along at 3000 fps does nicely…
6.5-06 TIKKA
Well-Known Member
Your idea of 6.5x55 or 308 are spot on.
The Swede has dropped many animals in Europe.
308 too , has military options too so always ammunition.
Stainless steel and synthetic would be my go to...
The Swede has dropped many animals in Europe.
308 too , has military options too so always ammunition.
Stainless steel and synthetic would be my go to...
HonestJohn
Well-Known Member
Essexsussex
Well-Known Member
Doubt it - he will be waiting for his variation during which time the chambering he requested will have become obsolete.
Bet he came to his senses & landed a lightly used Sako Finnlight stainless .270
6.5-06 TIKKA
Well-Known Member
308 and 6.5x55 are both suitable but don't forget the 30-06....
Suilven
Well-Known Member
Hate to miss a chance to quote the definitive SD post on the highland calibre debate...
Here’s another way of thinking about it: in the Highlands, it generally doesn’t matter if your beast runs a bit when you hit it. You can see where it goes. So it doesn’t actually matter all that much whether it drops instantly or runs a bit. So actually, it doesn’t really matter that much what you use, provided you can get to within about 250 metres.
Essexsussex
Well-Known Member
This is very true - ability to handle wind is a bigger consideration for me than immediate knock down.
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