.270 or 7mm-08 for deer and Elk

[magbolt]

I am confused.  What are the differences between the .270 and the 7mm-08 in the 15" Encore pistol barrel.  I initially thought that the .270 was more powerful,  but then heard the 7-08 was??  I hunt primarily whitetails in upstate NY, but may have a Elk hunt in the future.  Which caliber would be best (shots up to 250-300 yards for Elk), most deer within 125 yards.

[PA-Joe]

Ballisticially, the 270 shoots a little flatter out of a 24 inch rifle but the 7mm08 has more lead (up to 175 grains). In a rifle the 7mm08 is a short action therefore providing for a lighter rifle. In a single action the only difference would be more lead, which some say is necessary for elk. Both are good for deer.

[Gregory]

I had a 260 Encore barrel and I'd think the 7-08 would be better suited to a handgun than the 270.  You have a lot less powder to burn in that short tube.

[xphunter]

Let's compare the two this way.  Instead of a 270 let's compare the 7-08 with the 280 Remington.  You are going to get about 150 FPS or a little more from the 280 over the 7-08 whether you are using two rifles with the same length barrel or 2-15 inch barrels.  For elk out to 300 yards I would choose the 06 case over the 308 case everyday.  It is not a matter of which case is the most effecient, rather it is a matter of performance with a given bullet weight out to a certain distance.  I have used two cartridges for elk in specialty handgun with success.  A 284 Win 15.75 inch barrel (the 284 win case is a ballistic twin to the 280 Rem.) and the 7.82 Patriot  (a 30 caliber short action case which is in essence a necked down and shortened 416 Rigby) also with a 15.75 inch barrel.  the 284 pushes a 140 grain pill @ 2750 (basically 7-08 rifle velocities) and the Patriot pushes a 180 grain Sierra Game King @ 2788 (equivelant of a hot loaded 06 rifle or 300WM).  For elk, definitely choose the 06 or 284 case (or bigger if you so choose) as the parent case and be happy with an extremely flat shooting rig when you hunt whitetail.  With 150 grain bullets the 270 in a 15 inch barrel will always outrun the 15 inch 7-08 with a 150 bullet.

Ernie

[Crayfish]

Looks like XPHunter made the best suggestion of all ... get a 280Rem and you'll have the best of both worlds.  Slightly larger bullet diameter, capability for heavier bullets and a cartridge based on the '06 for increased velocity over the 7mm-08.

... Crayfish

[xphunter]

Chris,
I agree with you in that I don't consider a 150 grain bullet heavy.  I do though consider it sufficient as long as it is a controlled expansion bullet that will perform well at the operating velocities of your particular specialty handgun and you ensure good shot placement (have broadsides or very close to it).  7mm 140 grain Nosler Partitions have accounted for me 4 cow elk and 2 bull elk from my 284 Win XP and another cow with a 150 grain 30 caliber bullet.  The 06 class or larger cases will extend the useful distance in which most hunting bullets can perform well in over a 308 based case (I'm considering 6.5 cal on up). This choice is also based on the fact that we are wanting out to a 300 yard capability.  If the maximum distance was shorter I wouldn't hesitate to use a 308 based case for elk.  The 27 cal has never been a personal preference of mine, but dead is still dead.  Currently I'm using 180 grain Sierra Game King bullets in a 30 cal specialty handgun for elk, so I guess you can say I'm not opposed to using heavy bullets.   I'm even considering the 200 grain Accubond--I love it's BC!  The 180SGK is shooting so good for me and performed so good on elk this year I will have a hard time changing to something else.

Ernie