.260 Remington VS .270 WSM VS 6.5 x 284, all in a Savage rifle

[topdog]

Hello everyone,
I'm new here and I'm starting to get interested in rifle hunting, again. I switched to archery soon after I returned from Viet Nam, but I have rekindled my interest in firearms. So, I'm in the market for a new rifle and have decided on one of the Savage models. I'm looking primarily for a deer rifle, but it may do a bit of coyote control and also have an outside chance of going on an elk hunt! I'm not overly bothered by recoil, yet, but I just turned a healthy 67 and I don't think I'll get much younger. With that in mind, which of the three calibers listed in the title would be the best choice for deer out to 400 yards and elk to 200 yards? I am starting to reload (just mounted my Rock Chucker to the bench) and hope to get the best out of whichever caliber I buy. Your thoughts and comments are welcome.
By the way, the 260 is a 22" barrel, the 270 is 24" and the 6.5x284 is 22".

 

[Elkoholic307]

The .270 WSM is an awesome cartridge, especially inside 400 yards. You can push a 140g past 3100 fps. The 6.5x284 is equally great, and is capable of much more. But for elk, I would go with the 270.

 

[6mm Remington]

Elkaholic probably got it just right and I too think the 270 WSM would be the best choice, but honestly the 6.5-284 is quite a cartridge as well! A 140 gr. Nosler Accubond would be a terrific bullet for everything you want to hunt. Good Luck!
David

 

[topdog]

Thanks guys! One more thing I should have added to my first post; do you think the 22" barrel will cost the 6.5 x 284 too much velocity? I'd sure feel better if it came in a 24" barrel, without weighing 8.5 lbs. What do you think?

 

[woodtick]

In my experience with the 6.5x284 you need the longer length to get this cartridge to perform at it's highest capabilties. With a 140 gr accubond out of the 6.5@2950fps muzzle velocity @500 yds it'll drop 38", deflect 15" with a 10 mph and have 334ft/lbs of energy. The 270 WSM with a 140 gr accubond @ 3175fps muzzle velocity @500 yds it'll drop 31",deflect 14" with a 10 mph wind and have 387ft/lbs of energy. That is both based on 26" barrels and loads that I have you won't get the velocity with a 22" barrel out of a 6.5x284. There is a good possibilty though with the 270 WSM.

 

[jay]

Out of the three i would probably pick the 270 WSM. I'm also tossing around the idea of a 270 or a 30-06.

 

[revcwood]

I agree with what everyone has said about the .270WSM. Also something to think about, if you ever get into a pinch and for some reason lose your loads on a trip (it can happen) you can always find ammo for it readily available.

 

[Grantbvfd]

270 WSM hands down! Great cartridge and very accurate.

 

[mcseal2]

I shoot a 270WSM for deer and have been very happy with it. I use the 140gr accubond at an average of 3033fps from my A-bolt with a 23" barrel. It will shoot faster, especially with a longer barrel, but I got great accuracy and consistent velocity there. The accubond also has one of the best ballistic coefficients of all 270 bullets also for long shots or windy days. With any of the rounds you mentioned I'd look for at least 23" of barrel to boost velocity and they will benefit from more lenght than that. Many target shooters have 30" barrels on the 6.5x284's to burn all the powder.

The downside of the WSM is that it will have considerably more recoil than the other two, mine has a brake on it. I shoot several hundred rounds each year practicing and the recoil had me flinching. For deer or coyotes you could shoot a lower recoil 260 and still have good performance. If you are worried about the recoil I'd get a 260 for now and buy a bigger gun later if the elk hunt comes about.

 

[Jon Boy]

You can get the new savages with adjustable muzzle brake which is awesome. Turn it on when your at the range and it reduces recoil by quite a it, and then twist it off before you go hunting and it doesnt affect you zero at all.

 

[trkytrack2]

.270 Win. would be my choice. Great all around round.