Which Caliber

I am going to buy a rifle for myself- I believe it is going to be the 700 remington. The question is 270, 308, 30-06. We live in Missouri. Deer is the game. I know you have stated your oppinion before but I can't find them. thanks Chris Vogler Csports Optical

Wow, a precise question. You know the game, the location, and the brand already which makes the question answerable. The 270 is enough gun, but any you mentioned would do fine and the 308 might be better in my view due to availability and price of ammo and that old inherent accuracy attributed to it based on competition shooting results. (The improved accuracy is really not an issue for hunting as it is not all that much better even in the opinion of those who believe in it) But if you went into the field with any of those rounds in a Remington 700 you would not lose any deer from having the 'wrong' round given a decent opportunity to shoot.

Chris,

The three calibers that you've listed are all suitable to 250-300 yards depending on your level of skill. The property I hunt contains mixed cover. There are planted pines, power lines, hardwoods and some open fields. The majority of the shots that I'm presented with (actually all of them so far) have been under 150 yards. The only opportunity for shots longer than 300 yards are on the power line. Even there you can pattern the trails and place yourself within 200 yards of any potential crossing site. I've hunted with both a .30-06 and a .308 Winchester. I prefer the .308 as it is much more pleasant to shoot at the range for extended sessions. I have a Browning A Bolt II stainless stalker and I highly recommend it. It is fairly light, has a 60 degree bolt throw (clears the scope nicely), a tang mounted safety, and a detachable magazine. Fact is though, you can't go wrong with any of the three calibers you've listed.

all three will work , but i'll go with 30-06 every time. i like remington 165gr. psp bullets for deer.

All three are excellent choices, and you would be splitting hairs to find any appreciable difference in the three calibers. Dead deer cannot tell the difference of +/- 200 fps.

Chris, Any of them will do, as will similar popular cartridges such as the .260 Remington, 7mm08, .280 Remington. Of those listed I've hunted with the .30'06 the most, but it has more power than is absolutely necessary for whitetail. Good hunting! Michael

The 30-06 has a bigger choice of factory ammo available. If you decide to go after smaller or larger game it is a better choice because of that.

Just my opinion.

Any of the three will do. The 270 is flatter shooting, but the 30 cals hit

Everybody so far has missed the obvious answer. Buy all three.

But IMHO I would purchase .308 first, 30-06 second, and 270 last. Governing factors are recoil and ammo price / availability.

Hi Chris, Any one of them will get the job done, though in some locations you may have alittle more difficulty finding .270 ammo (the case here in my neck of the woods). The .308 is usually chambered in a shorter action and is usually available in shorter length barrels then the .270 and .30-06 which means you will have a lighter, handier rifle for woods hunting, not to mention the inherent accuracy associated the .308. The .30-06 is the grand daddy of them all and probley the most versitle of the lot, ammo available from 55 grains (accelerator) for varmints, up to 220 grains for Mr. Moose (I believe Barnes even makes a 250 rn for reloaders). Ammo availability should be no problem even out in the boonies at mom & pop's general store. IMHO the 308 in a short, lightweight bolt action would be ideal for Missourri woods hunting, but if ever you think there's a chance of a Colorado Elk hunt, or Alaska Moose in the future, then the .30-06 would be the way to go. The .270 would be MY 3rd choice, though anyone of them would make a fine 'only'

i have a remington 270 modal 700 adl and hunt whitetails with it i love it.but i recommend getting the bdl