which gun for stalking?

treacyskipbag

well lads finally got permission for deer but wondering wot rifle to get between two rifles 270 or 308 it is mainly red and fallow deer where the permission

German pointer

Either one is good enough personally I use the .270. Are they both same model do both fit your shoulder

treacyskipbag

i did nt even look at rifles yet just trying to see which cailbre is best for me

One shot on kill

Been honest I don't know much about the 270. But the 308 is very popular and shouldn't have an problem dropping reds.

4200fps

Go for the flatter and harder hitting caliber the .270 and they are cheap to feed

staghunter

6.5 by 55 is a super round go with European rifle aswell.ive seen them used on big red stags and do a good job

Chiparus

The 270 is great and puts down everything- but has a bit of a kick , so you need to get used to it or you might flinch ,

the 308 less of a kick especially if you use a mod.

.

FISMA

treacyskipbag wrote: »

well lads finally got permission for deer but wondering wot rifle to get between two rifles 270 or 308 it is mainly red and fallow deer where the permission

Either will drop any deer in Ireland and have plenty of Energy to spare.

I would look for a good deal in either and go with it. Given the calibers you have chosen, the gun/barrel is more of a deciding factor for me.

Some considerations:

Go down to the local ammo sioppa and see how many different: brands, bullet mass, and bullet types you can get and what their cost is. Is one more expensive than the other? Does the 308 come in more flavors that are easily obtained?

The 270 is a long action and the 308 a short. You should try and find a rifle in both and see if you prefer cycling one or the other. Personally, I do not.

Do you plan to shoot long distances in the future? Either the 308 or 270 will be fine on any shot at a deer. However, if you ever wanted to get in to long range target shooting, the 308 will excel. If you want the rifle to do double duty: hunt and long range, you may want to look up some ballistics tables to see how the two fare.

270 should be faster and flatter but the 308 will have a better selection of heavier mass bullets.

Faster and flatter - maybe better for open fields? 308 - more mass - better for brush, scrub, or the like?

I have pushed 220gr bullets through my 30-06 which has more kick than either and the recoil is nothing, when held properly. Nothing close to the kick of a 338 Win Mag or 12ga slug.

deerhunter1

treacyskipbag wrote: »

well lads finally got permission for deer but wondering wot rifle to get between two rifles 270 or 308 it is mainly red and fallow deer where the permission

.308 all rounder, plenty of variety of ammo and cheap too

treacyskipbag

FISMA wrote: »

Either will drop any deer in Ireland and have plenty of Energy to spare.

I would look for a good deal in either and go with it. Given the calibers you have chosen, the gun/barrel is more of a deciding factor for me.

Some considerations:

Go down to the local ammo sioppa and see how many different: brands, bullet mass, and bullet types you can get and what their cost is. Is one more expensive than the other? Does the 308 come in more flavors that are easily obtained?

The 270 is a long action and the 308 a short. You should try and find a rifle in both and see if you prefer cycling one or the other. Personally, I do not.

Do you plan to shoot long distances in the future? Either the 308 or 270 will be fine on any shot at a deer. However, if you ever wanted to get in to long range target shooting, the 308 will excel. If you want the rifle to do double duty: hunt and long range, you may want to look up some ballistics tables to see how the two fare.

270 should be faster and flatter but the 308 will have a better selection of heavier mass bullets.

Faster and flatter - maybe better for open fields? 308 - more mass - better for brush, scrub, or the like?

I have pushed 220gr bullets through my 30-06 which has more kick than either and the recoil is nothing, when held properly. Nothing close to the kick of a 338 Win Mag or 12ga slug.

wots the 30 06 like fisma

FISMA

treacyskipbag wrote: »

wots the 30 06 like fisma

Love it. Once you hold it properly, the kick is nothing at all.

The problem, in Ireland is sourcing ammo. In the States, the 30-06 is everywhere, I get feed my 700 everything from 150gr to 220gr and she'll put it on target.

My 700 loves 180gr. However, I bet she would do just as well with 168gr. Just not much of it out there.

There's nothing in Ireland that the 30-06 wouldn't take down. Even a big red at 300 or 400 yards will drop with a well placed shot.

Again, check availability of ammo. The last thing you want to do is invest in a rifle whose ammo is tough to get.

rowa

Don't get too hung up on power, and the lads recommending the big 30 calibre magnums, total overkill for ireland (imho). Remember the vast majority of deer shot in ireland in the 70's, 80's were dropped with the .22-250 and 5.6x57.

Jonty

rowa wrote: »

Don't get too hung up on power, and the lads recommending the big 30 calibre magnums, total overkill for ireland (imho). Remember the vast majority of deer shot in ireland in the 70's, 80's were dropped with the .22-250 and 5.6x57.

But deer are on steroids now

Koro

I was in the same situation luckily I had access to both a 270 and 308 to see how they handled. I was about to get the 308 till someone told me try a 7mm08. Shoots flat like a 270, has less recoil than both. Its based on the 308 cartridge so it's easy to hand load. I've used it on Reds out to 200 yards as long as I do my job it does it's.

clivej

I have a Sako 75 in .308 and love it. Taken many deer, Sika and Fallow with it, yet to see a Red in the flesh.

When I went looking for a stalking rifle I started by choosing a calibre first. I did this by going into my local dealers and looking at what ammo was on the shelves.
The best choice and range of ammo was in .308. And this is still true today.
And it was a BIG bullet, looked like it would do the job. :)
Any/all the dealers will have a supply in stock and you'll never be left wanting.

Then choose your rifle. Get a good solid firearm, a make that is popular here so you can resell if the need arises. Here in Ireland I would start with CZ 550, Tikka and Sako, just my opinion. Sako rifles are the nearest to a custom rifle you can buy for the money IMO.
Plenty of good second-hand rifles in the dealers now.

silverfox1

clivej wrote: »

Sako rifles are the nearest to a custom rifle you can buy for the money.

The sako 75 would be yes. As far as i can see the 85 is not a patch on it though.
My vote is for the 270 as it suits me perfectly, There's nothing wrong with the 308 either, just be careful with bullet selection. With the heavier bonded type bullets i found they just passed straight through the deer without expanding and i had a good few runners.

German pointer

Most of my deer are shot within 200 yards iv shot more under 50 yards then over 200 a few close to 300 and the furthest at 450 yards no runners with the .270 130gr Hornady SST.

clivej

silverfox1 wrote: »

The sako 75 would be yes. As far as i can see the 85 is not a patch on it though.
My vote is for the 270 as it suits me perfectly, There's nothing wrong with the 308 either, just be careful with bullet selection. With the heavier bonded type bullets i found they just passed straight through the deer without expanding and i had a good few runners.

I have used the 85 and apart from a few small changes is still a great rifle IMO. I like the heavy'er barrelled versions.

German pointer wrote: »

Most of my deer are shot within 200 yards iv shot more under 50 yards then over 200 a few close to 300 and the furthest at 450 yards no runners with the .270 130gr Hornady SST.

I was using the Federal Fusion but as like you say did not expand as I thought they should all the time. Now using the SST and they open up and drop any deer.

4200fps

rowa wrote: »

Don't get too hung up on power, and the lads recommending the big 30 calibre magnums, total overkill for ireland (imho). Remember the vast majority of deer shot in ireland in the 70's, 80's were dropped with the .22-250 and 5.6x57.

On the ball rowa. ;-)

Lotharmike

I use a 308(2 of them) & a 300WM.Both are extremely effective on all game found on this island & elsewhere across EU.Never had a single runner or follow up shot,they drop on the spot.The only advise I would give is take bullet selection into careful consideration.I am finding it difficult to source 300 WM TAP.No issues with 308 TAP just bought 200 of the 168 Grain.Other than that pick what fits & enjoy.Good luck.

Tac

6.5x55SE is a great round. Good selection of ammo too. I also have a .300WM, it's a beast and hard fed, €60 per 20 rounds. The ammo is hard got too, but I still wouldn't sell it..
6.5x55SE is a lovely round and will dispatch any quarry on this island with correct shot placement.