Pick one of the 3 calibers

[257Shooter]

Looking for the pros and cons of these 3 calibers and only these 3!

6.5 Creedmor
270 Win
7mm rem mag


This would be for hunting deer, elk and moose. No bear and no coyotes. Terrain would be mostly open with possibly some bush. Shots up to 300 yards, possibly longer for target shooting and practice.
Although I doubt thousands of rounds will go through the rifle, barrel life is on my mind.
Other thoughts are - flat shooter, recoil, availability of factory ammo and reloading component selection.
I'm sure I have missed a few other considerations so please let me know - not about calibers though! These are the top 3.




Make and model of rifle would be determined after caliber.
Thanks to all who chime in.

[Dweb]

270

[straight]

6.5

[freeride]

At those distances on game... 6.5

I have seen a lot of creedmoor components for sale now that the 6.5 prc is out.

It has more bullet selection right now for good target bullets then the 270.

The 7mm is good, but a lot more recoil, powder, cost. If you were shooting game further then yes. But less then 300 no save your money and practice more.

[rembo]

Including elk and moose I'd go 7 Rem Mag. YMMV

Any of the 3 will work great for deer.

[CNP]

270

[trigger7mm]

7mm

[Dean2]

7 Rem Mag is still one of the best all round cartridges every produced. Recoil is about the same as the 270, wide selection of high B.C. bullets from 110 grains to 190, flat shooting, wind resistant and enough punch at distance for larger animals. MOA or better barrel life in the 3500-5000 range is possible unless you are really hot roding it.

[hawk-i]

Although all 3 will work( you should have one of each), IMHO the 7 Rem Mag gives you the best all around performance for a diversity of hunting situations and game animals...

[catnthehat]

I prefer smaller cartridges so the Creedmoor would be my choice.
Cat

[257Shooter]

I will add this is a future gift for my son. He shot his first whitetail buck this year using a 240 Weatherby mag. Recoil did not bother him with this rifle however I do not know how the recoil would compare to the 7mm.
Maybe the 7mm would be a good choice for him and the 6.5 for me....

[moniaw24]

All are great choices, I would choose the 7mm of the 3, good luck

[kayaker]

1st- .270
2nd - 6.5
3rd 7mm RM

[owlhoot]

7MM with a Limbsaver is what I shoot

[6.5 shooter]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I prefer smaller cartridges so the Creedmoor would be my choice.
Cat

X2

[buckman]

I own a .270 and a 7mm in Model 70. Both are great, if I were to pick only one I would choose the 7 mm.

[jayquiver]

of the 3 you mentioned, 7mm Rem Mag... 100%

[old dog]

7 rem mag followed by 6.5 and then 270

[DiabeticKripple]

7mm Ram Mag.

Put a limbsaver on the back you recoil is no longer an issue.

[stob]

Originally Posted by Dean2

7 Rem Mag is still one of the best all round cartridges every produced. Recoil is about the same as the 270, wide selection of high B.C. bullets from 110 grains to 190, flat shooting, wind resistant and enough punch at distance for larger animals. MOA or better barrel life in the 3500-5000 range is possible unless you are really hot roding it.

X2

[kujoseto]

Can you go shoot the 7 rem mag before you buy it? Barrel life should be the least of your concerns on those three options. A new barrel can be put on in the unlikely outcome of shooting the barrel out.
I would say 7, the recoil isn’t bad on a well designed rifle. Obviously if we’re talking tikka t3 lite, it will be noticeably more than the 6.5.

Ultimately, getting a rifle you like and that fits will be more important than the differences in these three cartridges regarding on game performance.

[Jerry D]

If I read its for your son. A 240 is a light mag. Probably less recoil than a 7mm mag which is more like a .30-06.

I vote 6.5cm for light short action. Upcoming popularity. Can grow into it and learn to be comfortable.

If a time comes he wants a mag, he can upgrade to a magnum after learning on a lower recoil platform.

Sent from my SM-A530W using Tapatalk

[Flight01]

6.5 first.
270 second followed by 7rm

[257Shooter]

Originally Posted by kujoseto

Can you go shoot the 7 rem mag before you buy it? Barrel life should be the least of your concerns on those three options. A new barrel can be put on in the unlikely outcome of shooting the barrel out.
I would say 7, the recoil isn’t bad on a well designed rifle. Obviously if we’re talking tikka t3 lite, it will be noticeably more than the 6.5.

Ultimately, getting a rifle you like and that fits will be more important than the differences in these three cartridges regarding on game performance.

I'm quite confident my son can handle more recoil than me (stocky 22 yr old vs just old).
As far as shooting a 7mm first I don't know how one would go about that, other than knowing someone with said caliber.
On the list will be a rifle that has is not a lighter weight model. I doubt he will be going sheep hunting or on long treks and if he decides thats what he wants to do, he can get another specific rifle for that purpose.

[huntingfamily]

In order of preference for me based on your requirements:

270 win
7mm RM
6.5

[257Shooter]

Lots of good comments coming.
Sure not making a selection any easier.

[huntinstuff]

May as well throw my 2 cents in

Id choose the 7mm

You can accomplish all your goals with any of the calibres you chose. 7mm and 270 recoil is about the same. If someone blindfolded you and lied to you about which one you just shot, youd believe them.

Creedmore is great, just less recoil.

[brewster29]

Of your three choices:

1. 7 mag
2. 270
3. 6.5

[antmai]

6.5
7
Distantly 270

Short action coupled with the capability. Easily 6.5 to me.

[waldedw]

7 mm
270
6.5