BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

redneckhunter · Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 70 Location: Forsyth county,nc.

Guys, I am looking for a good varmint gun, but My whole family has a camping trip every year to the Uwharrie national forest in montgomerie county,nc. They dont charge for hunting there, So I am looking at buying a good gun for deer mostly and varmints like bobcat and coyotes. I know a .243 is the first choice, but I just want something with a little more umph. The deer/varmint rifle I am looking at buying is a mossberg model 100 ATR in .270 for 305.99. What do you think about that rifle? Thanks.

jim muir · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 126 Location: new brunswick

Have you considerred a .25-06? I think one of mossbergs rifles is chamberred for i not sure if is the ATR or not though.

Del in KS · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 46

Redneckhunter

What you want is a 25-06. It is an excellent round for deer and varmints. Furthermore you might to take a good look at a Savage or the new Marlin bolt bolt gun. The Marlin may not be made in 2506 yet but it does come in 270. I know a blogger that recently bought the new Marlin and he claims the quality really there and the price is low.

Don Fischer · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 2136 Location: Antelope, Ore

I would go to the 25-06 also. The cartridge is not as violent as the 270 and that would come into play if you plan on shooting a lot. And for up to deer, nothing a 270 can do that a 25-06 can't.

Wapiti Wacker · Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 50 Location: IDAHO

I would go with the .270 just in case I ever wanted to hunt elk also,and everywhere has .270 ammo.

Whelland · Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 511 Location: Kingston, MI

I'm with most of the other folks here. I would go with the 25-06. I would also recommend the Remington 700 or a Ruger 77 over the Mossberg, Savage or Marlin. Not being stated to ruffle any feathers, it's just my humble opinion.

Del in KS · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 46

Just got my new issue of Field and Stream a couple days ago. Dave Petzal has an excellent article on big game rifles. In extensive accuracy tests the lowly Savage came in #3 out of 11 guns tested and most cost more $. Some considerably more. Number one was the Weatherby Vanguard sub-MOA, and 2 was the over $1K TC Icon. All three guns shot groups averaging under .6 MOA with various factory ammo. Last was the pricey new Win mod 70 at 1.5 MOA.
On another subject have any of you guys heard of Ultraborecoat? I tried it and the stuff is IMO better than they said it was. I've used it to coat the bores in 5 guns so far. It almost totally eliminates copper and lead fouling from centerfire guns. It also makes repeat shots much easier to load in a muzzleloader. The other day I shot my flintlock longrifle 15 times with patched round ball without cleaning the bore even once. One five shot group went 3.5" at 100 yds. Before Ultracoating the bore I had to swab with a wet patch between shots because of fouling. I guess most of the crud blows out the barrel.

WesternHunter · Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 685 Location: Western USA

I don't know about that particular rifle, but the .270 Win is a great caliber and my personal favorite for biggame (deer, elk, antelope). I would recommend it.

Sage of the Sage · Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 135 Location: Butte, MT

.270 is kinda big for varmints, especially if you intend to do some hide tanning. I've used a handfull of different calibers on deer throughout the years and I'd have to say the .270 seemed to perform the best. I've never used a 25-06, but I'd think it would tend to put a pretty large hole in small game hides as well. My bro.-in-law is pretty in to varmint hunting and sells a lot of hides. He actually goes as small as a .17 for bobcats, foxes, and such. There's a lot of difference in size between deer and most varmints. If your not interested in hides, I reckon there's only one kind of dead.

danitrev81 · Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 11

I like the .270 ,lots of different ammo and you can get it anywhere.I shoot 140 gr hornady light mags and I havent had a deer go very far ,if anywhere but straight down.Even droped a few elk and moose with it.The light mag takes it to a new level.

TheGreatwhitehunter · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 219 Location: Colorado

The .270 is a great caliber choice get it, you wont be sorry. :thumbsup1: :thumbsup1:

BigGameLover · Joined: 30 Aug 2008 Posts: 7

i just started this i maybe young but i have noticed around my neck of the woods that everyone hunts with 270 becuse they are a perfect all around gun, they are great for deer and still take down your big game like your moose an elk and still in the range for your varmits, and nice gun would be the model 7600 remminton 270 pump, i have one and it as amazing.