270 or 308

[rabbit hunter mab]

What would be the best rifle for deer and varmint?

 

[halfmileharry]

.243 will shine for your requirements. The others are fine but the .243 will outperform both for what you asked for.

 

[Leadeye]

Have to agree on .243, you can make 7mm or .308 work with good loading though.

 

[451_Detonics]

If you plan on loading any of the above mentioned, if not then .308 simply for plinking ammo costs.

 

[sloughfoot]

Of the two, .308.

 

[seedubs1]

Would have to agree on 243. For a Coyote/Deer rifle, that's a tough combo to beat. It'll be a bit rough on fur for varmint hunting (I especially wouldn't want to use it on cats because you'll destroy the pelt, and it's just a shame to kill them if you aren't going to use the pelt), but I wouldn't want to be deer hunting with anything smaller (like 22-250).

 

[Spike_351]

Depends on what state your hunting in. Among other numerous factors.

 

[jy951]

I'd go with .308 but .270 will work just fine. .243 will kill deer fine, but it's not going to have nearly the energy of a .270 or .308. I'd rather be overgunned for coyote than undergunned for deer.

 

[singlesix]

I'd go with .308 but .270 will work just fine. .243 will kill deer fine, but it's not going to have nearly the energy of a .270 or .308. I'd rather be overgunned for coyote than undergunned for deer.

So you have experience with 243s?

 

[bigelowe]

.308 has a huge range of bullets. availability is another big plus. I already own .243 and 30/06 so my next rifle will be .308.

 

[kludge]

.257 Roberts, .250 Savage, .25-06, .260 Rem, .243 Win and maybe a half dozen others before I'd pick either a .270 or .308.

But of the two, I'd go with a .308.

 

[croy]

I bought a 308, but if they open up the restrictions I'll be going 243

 

[HD1911]

I mean no disrespect whatsoever, but if you're starting a Thread to ask a Caliber debate like this, then most likely either one will serve you fine... heck, for that matter, either cartridge will serve anyone fine, in most situations.

What are you, the shooter, capable of making hits at, range wise (in the field, not at a Bench)? Is readily available Match Grade ammo a requirement for you?

Both Cartridges have been killing stuff for a long time now, and both are proven.

Will this be in a Sporter Barreled, Lightweight Hunting Rig? Will you be using a Field Firing Solution for Longer Shots outside of your selected Cartridge's Max Point Blank Range, or are you just looking to utilize the Flattest Trajectory, for the Longest Distance possible, without really needing to Hold Over/Under?