7mm Rem Mag vs 270 Win

[Varminterror]

I'd just stick with the Creed. With handloads it can be hopped up to respectably compete with the others. In factory loads there isn't a massive difference in ballistics between all three cartridges.

C’mon dude. Neither case is true.

Look at the Hornady ELD-x line as an example. 6.5 Creed’s pushing 143’s to 2700, 270’s getting a 145 to 2970, and 7RM pushes a 162 to 2940… 2314ft.lbs, 2839ft.lbs., and 3109ft.lbs. respectively. 23% increase KE and another 10%. 55, 61.5, and 68lbm.ft./sec, 11% and 6% increases in momentum.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Good Lord, some of the posters here think they're the only one's on here who know anything. These two "experts", well, hardly. It doesn't take an Einstein to handload.
You're not impressing anyone here.

 

[Scout21]

C’mon dude. Neither case is true.

Look at the Hornady ELD-x line as an example. 6.5 Creed’s pushing 143’s to 2700, 270’s getting a 145 to 2970, and 7RM pushes a 162 to 2940… 2314ft.lbs, 2839ft.lbs., and 3109ft.lbs. respectively. 23% increase KE and another 10%. 55, 61.5, and 68lbm.ft./sec, 11% and 6% increases in momentum.

Like I said, it's not a massive difference. I guess it's debatable depending upon how much you want to split hairs. For the vast majority of people they won't be pushing any of the cartridges far enough or hard enough to see a considerable difference in terminal effect.

I didn't take into consideration energy, I'll admit. Mostly because I don't think it matters.

The 6.5 Creedmoor ≠ .270 Win ≠ 7MM Mag, but for what they're generally used for, I think they're close enough for it to not really matter.

I took a few screenshots of Winchester's Ballistic calculator. I have no idea how accurate it's data is, but I assume it's fairly reliable. They aren't Hornady ELD-x bullets, but I hope it's close enough. I tried to match your bullet weights and velocities up as best I could, however it's not perfect.

If I'm looking at the numbers correctly, it appears as though the MPBR for all three are at about 260-275 yards. Close enough to call it a wash.

Now if you're planning on shooting past MPBR with the help of a rangefinder or such, I can see a sizeable difference between the Creedmoor and the other two. But again, for the vast majority of people they won't be pushing any of the cartridges far enough or hard enough to see a considerable difference in terminal effect.

The numbers are fun to look at, but at the end of the day they all seem to work relatively well at relatively long distances. You could pick any of them and not be left wanting for much.

In the end, I hope OP makes an informed decision and finds what they're looking for.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Sure but if that same guys walking around talking up his .243 literally all the time, pretty sure folks are gonna start saying stuff....

I don't really have an issue with O'Connor and his hyping the .270, but ive seen plenty of people whos lack of knowledge allows someone elses enthusiasm to lead them into making a poor choice for themselves.

Touching on match bullets for hunting might be a good example.
Ive shot Amax or some other form of match bullet in all my personal hunting rifles. I got there because they performed exactly the way i wanted.
Now my influence is far less than even your average webpage article writer...but if someone who doesn't know enough to read between the lines sees stuff like this constantly posted, even by no-names like me.
"Expand fantastically!"
"Kills faster than a normal hunting bullet!"
"More accurate than normal hunting bullets because they are MATCH grade!"
i could totally see someone grabbing a box of ANY match bullet and firing it from ANY rifle and expecing fantastic results.

All those statements I could argue, but which come with major caveats or generalizations.

Excellent points Loon Wolf. Your Amax (or SST, ELD, or ELD-X) do offer fast expansion, very good BC, and excellent accuracy. For Hawaii and whitetail hunters they’re probably good to go.

I shot exactly one mule deer buck with a Hornady 180g SST (.30-06). The bullet entered behind the shoulder and did a 90 degree turn exiting up and through the spine. Instantly effective but not predictable bullet performance.

Went back to bonded bullets that track straight and haven’t looked back. Our elk here aren’t small and I want predictable performance.

Accubond for me. The picture is the exit wound on a mature cow elk with a 180g Accubond. Bullet tracked true with a behind the shoulder shot and she was down within five steps.

 

[Scout21]

The bullet entered behind the shoulder and did a 90 degree turn exiting up and through the spine. Instantly effective but not predictable bullet performance.

Bullets do some freaky stuff. Glad you got the buck!

 

[WisBorn]

The question of why use a magnum is really part of this discussion and the reason why I recommend the 7mm Rem Mag. As noted by both @Scout21 and @Varminterror the magnums give you more energy through heavier bullets at the same velocity or more velocity with the same weight bullet. The cost in obtaining the extra energy is more powder and more recoil. In Scouts example the 7mm has more energy at 500 yards than the 6.5 & 270 do at 275 yards. This is why I recommend the 7mm. Yes there is more recoil. When considering the additional energy- I will accept a small increase in recoil over the 30-06 which is considered the upper level that most shooters can tolerate as far as recoil.

I didn't change the original cartridges from what the OP originally asked about.
My normal recommendation to hunters is find a rifle that you like then decide on what cartridge to buy it in, based on what the rifle is available in.
My favorite rifle is my avatar a MarkV in 7rm. My favorite cartridge (that I have experience with) 300 wsm followed by the 308 win. I like the cartridges because they are very efficient.

 

[robin banks]

Never owned one but thats funny.

I've honestly never shot a .270 although that was what my old hunting partner used & he always got his deer. When I hunted with my neighbor that had a 7mm mag he always got his deer. I did shoot my neighbors 7mm magnum synthetic stocked model 70. It had just a little more recoil than my older wooden stocked .30-06 model 70. I can't say which you would like better. Different people perceive recoil differently.

I was just funning with you not against you lol. my friend shot a buck with a 7mm rem and it blew the intestines out and they wrapped around the body of the deer. shot was only 30 yds forgot what bullet he used

 

[Driftertank]

I was just funning with you not against you lol. my friend shot a buck with a 7mm rem and it blew the intestines out and they wrapped around the body of the deer. shot was only 30 yds forgot what bullet he used

Gotta love those self-gutting shots...

Knew a guy a few years back who hit an antelope in Wyoming once at around 300yds with a .308. It was bounding directly away from him, he hit it right in the...um, gentleman's region. Grazed along up the belly and basically unzipped it. I was told the entrails fell partially out and tangled in the back legs, and on his next jump the critter basically cleaned itself for him. Hit the ground and piled up.

Said he never had an easier time prepping a kill to pack out.

 

[BushMaster-15]

I say Shoot what You can Hit something with or Practice with what You buy until you can .

Deer hunting is but one aspect of the spectrum , let none of us forget how many have been taken with a 30-30 or .243 .

I used to hunt with a fellow who shot his with a .44 Mag carbine and Damn if every year he didn't tag out . I can't say that

Then there are specialty Hunters and admittedly I was one for a number of years ,before changing MY ways . Time was precious because of work schedules and locations I'd be in .So I'd save My $'s and make a special hunt , Guides Don't appreciate clients shooting run of the mill table fodder ,their Ego's bruise and it reflects upon their skills . I understand the arguments from ALL sides and when You pay Big Monies ,you DON'T shoot a forked horn and ship it to the taxidermist .

That being said the wise man would choose what he intends to shoot more often and at his chosen distance levels . Just MY opinion .

 

[mcb]

I just remembered, the proper answer is always get both!


Top: Pre-64 (1956 IIRC) Winchester Model 70 in 270 Winchester.
Bottom: Browning FN Mauser (early 1960's right as Remington released the new cartridge IIRC) in 7mm Remington Mag.

Both can tell some excellent stories if you ask them right.

 

[robin banks]

Gotta love those self-gutting shots...

Knew a guy a few years back who hit an antelope in Wyoming once at around 300yds with a .308. It was bounding directly away from him, he hit it right in the...um, gentleman's region. Grazed along up the belly and basically unzipped it. I was told the entrails fell partially out and tangled in the back legs, and on his next jump the critter basically cleaned itself for him. Hit the ground and piled up.

Said he never had an easier time prepping a kill to pack out.

shows how overpowered even a 308 is for deer. but for long shots they are needed

 

[d2wing]

If you need an accurate powerful long range cartridge that has enough energy to kill as far as you can shoot get the 7 MM. I used to shoot one. I switched to 7-08. Also a highly accurate and effective cartridge with a lot less recoil and will kill out to any sensible range. The 270 is not as good as the hype. Look at a ballistic chart and match results. But it might be fine for you.

 

[robin banks]

If you need an accurate powerful long range cartridge that has enough energy to kill as far as you can shoot get the 7 MM. I used to shoot one. I switched to 7-08. Also a highly accurate and effective cartridge with a lot less recoil and will kill out to any sensible range. The 270 is not as good as the hype. Look at a ballistic chart and match results. But it might be fine for you.

you are correct about the 7MM. I like the 280 and think it is the best all around caliber. but there are very high BC bullets being made for the 270/6.8 older rifles in 270 made not have a fast enough twist.

 

[I6turbo]

....there are very high BC bullets being made for the 270/6.8.....

I've seen people claim that a draw-back of the .270 is limited bullet selection. Midsouth lists about 70 options among the 7 brands they carry. https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/dept/reloading/rifle-bullets/-point-277-dia?itemsperpage=90

 

[mcb]

I've seen people claim that a draw-back of the .270 is limited bullet selection. Midsouth lists about 70 options among the 7 brands they carry. https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/dept/reloading/rifle-bullets/-point-277-dia?itemsperpage=90

I hear similar often for several calibers but in this modern age and Internet accessibility of bullets makers it is rarely true.

 

[DM~]

I really don't care how many different bullets are available for a caliber, AS LONG as the ones I want/need for my purpose are available.

DM

 

[Mn Fats]

The 30-06 was fading out of popularity long before the Creedmoor case was ever developed.

That's fine. But it's not going anywhere, big difference between "dying" and disappearing. So when someone replies the 30-06 is fading, so what? Sales are down? And? Who cares. It's still the most popular cartridge in every camp I've been too.

People like you have been saying the same thing about the 30-30 Win for many years.

 

[.45Coltguy]

That's fine. But it's not going anywhere, big difference between "dying" and disappearing. So when someone replies the 30-06 is fading, so what? Sales are down? And? Who cares. It's still the most popular cartridge in every camp I've been too.

People like you have been saying the same thing about the 30-30 Win for many years.

Everything in this post is so true. When these "newer" cartridges have been around as long and have accomplished what the 30-06 has done, perhaps, someone will listen. Time will tell.

 

[Varminterror]

People like you have been saying the same thing about the 30-30 Win for many years.

It’s also been true that the popularity of the 30-30 has faded and continues fading, “for many years.”

 

[.45Coltguy]

It’s also been true that the popularity of the 30-30 has faded and continues fading, “for many years.”

Curious. Where do you get this information? Real information?

 

[Varminterror]

Curious. Where do you get this information? Real information?

Pretty easy to watch the trends in leveraction rifles and cartridges. Sales reports are out there, production reports occasionally. Pretty simple.

It doesn’t make you shorter or less of a man to accept that hunting cartridges have been in decline, largely due to your generation NOT raising their kids to hunt.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Fine. I won't turn this into a hissing contest, only to say this. I'm on a few other forums like this one, and there are a LOT of lever action shooters/hunters out there. A lot.
Perhaps you'd be more of a man if you would admit you don't know what you're typing about.
Sorry Mods, rant over.

 

[Varminterror]

there are a LOT of lever action shooters/hunters out there.

Yeah, you must be right… I mean, leverguns sell so well that the two major manufacturers producing the lion’s share of the market went bankrupt…

You’re being ridiculously ignorant to pretend the vocal lot of us on gun forums who enjoy our leveraction rifles imply anything towards national trends… Hell, just look at all of these crazy “Dark” and “tactical” models companies have released? They haven’t been selling well for a long time, so manufacturers have tried to twist and contort the rifles to suit new markets… it’s plain, leverguns and hunting cartridges have been declining in popularity in the sporting firearm market for a couple generations.

 

[Weflyfast]

Curious. Where do you get this information? Real information?

Really??? At the sportsman warehouse not too far from my house ....when a case of 30-30 comes in ....it's gone in about 24 to 36 hours.....no matter what the manufacturer or load.... I think there are a lot more 30-30 guys out there than people realize.....guys that have a couple guns that work and they hunt with ....and do t hang out on gun forums....LOL

 

[Weflyfast]

No offense meant by that guys-