I have a .270 which I use for all species. I am using 130 grain copper bullets. I have had it a long time and it does everything I want it to. It does tend to cause quite a bit of damage on muntjac, cwd and roe. I was thinking about getting a second calibre for smaller deer. Is there any point and if so what should I consider?
Calibre for small deer
- Thread starter sy247
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palmer_mike
Well-Known Member
If it’s for roe (assuming England as you also mention CWD) then it’s gotta be .243 or bigger.
Personally I’d go heavy bullet pushed not too fast. .308win?
Ps- that’s what I use and I guess everyone else will recommend what THEY use. (They all work
)
Personally I’d go heavy bullet pushed not too fast. .308win?
Ps- that’s what I use and I guess everyone else will recommend what THEY use. (They all work
)ThisIf it’s for roe (assuming England as you also mention CWD) then it’s gotta be .243 or bigger.
Personally I’d go heavy bullet pushed not too fast. .308win?
Ps- that’s what I use and I guess everyone else will recommend what THEY use. (They all work
I have a 270 mainly for Fallow, I shoot a number of Muntys with it and yes you get some damage. If I am just after Muntys/ CWD I use my 223, a good round in circa 50gr weights, the only thing with all the small deer is that most rounds in the shoulder it going to wreck the front end, slightly less so with 223 than 270. Now with Muntys shoulder shot I just hang them up and as part of the Gralloching cut them off from just behind the shoulder and discard all the front end, it leaves the legs and back straps when yout take it back to the chiller to hang
I use Hornady 2740 150gr interlocks at around 2800 fps in my 270. Will do less damage than a fast 130gr bullet and is good for all UK species. Obviously not copper though. There's no arguing with the effectiveness of a 130gr bullet at max velocity from a 270 but a 150gr interlock very much does the job.
It's not a million miles away from a 7x57 with the 150gr bullet.
It's not a million miles away from a 7x57 with the 150gr bullet.
TringSaint
Well-Known Member
243 with 85gn ballistic tips is great until it hits bone, then it’s messy. 6.5se causes a lot less mess with 120gn ballistic tip even when you hit bone / the longer heavier bullet holds together much better
monarman
Well-Known Member
Considering the lead ban that's coming..... try some lead free ammo through the 270, you may find it doesn't cause the same amount of damage....
And yes they do cost a bit more but of you find one your rie.likes I'm sure your dealer will.do you a discount t on a few boxes (they have a good mark up on ammo anyway)...
And yes they do cost a bit more but of you find one your rie.likes I'm sure your dealer will.do you a discount t on a few boxes (they have a good mark up on ammo anyway)...
Damoeire33
Well-Known Member
.243 is good for everything out to 200m
Bullet placement is more important than caliber
If your shooting a distance then fair enough you need something that'll carry more energy down range
Bullet placement is more important than caliber
If your shooting a distance then fair enough you need something that'll carry more energy down range
Presume you mean 243 ?
HonestJohn
Well-Known Member
You’re wasting your money. Just change POA
I also use a .270 with 130g bullets. It's an excellent calibre that just does the job without fuss.
But I also have a .243 which I sometimes use in preference if only small deer or foxes are on the menu.
I think the two calibres compliment each other very well.
CillDaraVerminator
Well-Known Member
Sorry to highjack but in terms of meat damage what would be the best legal caliber with minimal meat damage.
What deer, at what range, under what conditions?
CillDaraVerminator
Well-Known Member
Where I am based there are Fallow/Sika and a few munty, ranges no more than 200m.
As for conditions ranges from forested area to open field.
As for conditions ranges from forested area to open field.
Damoeire33
Well-Known Member
Bullet type needs to be considered also
Damoeire33
Well-Known Member
.243 is plenty good enough once you do your bit.
If your priority is to minimise meat damage, then something slow with a hard bullet will be best. But this will produce runners, especially with sika.
.308 is a good compromise, because it creates a reasonably big hole, but with a 150gr bullet from a 20” barrel, won’t be going very fast.
CillDaraVerminator
Well-Known Member
Ah ok will try 150gr from my 308. TY for info
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