Came across a chart from an outdoor magazine from 2001 concerning the real world trajectory and ballistics of ordinary cartridges such as the 30:06, .270 Win and the ( .35 Whelen which was more popular in 2001 than it is today). I am going to post some of the numbers here for you to look at. I am a firm believer that through out most of the N/E anyway, most deer are still shot under 100 yards and most of the remainder are shot at under 200 yards. I use the phrase "Most Deer" as I have known a few people who are consistently capable of making shots between 200 and 400 yards. I also realize that under ideal conditions off a bench rest with wind flags set out, a top end ballistic plex fully multi-coated scope and your rifle locked into a Caldwell Lead sled and with a spotter calling your shots that more of us would fit into that 200-400 yard scenario.
Unfortunately under field conditions most of us cannot take advantage of 200-400 yard shots quickly. All that being said, how much real world difference is there between the standard calibers and the magnums for the average hunter at 300 and 400 yards? Chart below is with a 200 yard zero.
These figures are based on what was available in 2001, however there is not as much difference as one might imagine even in 2013.
300 yard drop 400 yard drop
.270 Win, 130 grain bullet @3100fps 6.3 18.5
.270 Wby. Magnum 130 grn @3300fps 5.5 16.0
.280 Rem 150 grain @3000fps 6.6 19.3
7mm Mag 150 grain @3200 5.8 16.7
30:06 180 grain @2700 8.5 24.4
.300 Win mag 180 grain @3200fps 6.5 19.1
.338-06 225 grain @2600fps 9.3 26.7
.338 Win Mag 225 grain @2900fps 7.2 21.0
.35 Whelen 250 grain @2500fps 10.0 29.4
.358 Norma mag 250 grain @2700fps 8.6 24.8
Interesting line up of bullet weights and muzzle velocities and yet the difference in bullet drop at 300 yards between the fastest and slowest calibers is only 4.5 inches. At 400 yards it is 10.7 inches.
If you compare the .270 Win with 130 grain loads to the vaunted 7mm Mag with a 150 grain bullet, the difference at 300 yards is only 1/2 inch and at 400 yards is 1.8 inches We can certainly argue the 7mm Mag starts its 150 grain bullet out of the gate 100fps second faster than the .270 does with a 130 grain bullet. I doubt there is a whitetail walking anywhere that could tell the difference at either range with a proper hit in the vitals. If we are talking about elk or moose at those distances, then I would agree that the 7mm Mag is the better choice, or better yet one of the .300 mags.
In closing my old FFA agricultural teacher in high school always used to say, "Variety is the spice of life."
We all become attached to different rifles for various reasons, some of which are based on ballistics, or because your Dad killed 27 deer with your favorite rifle and never lost a one of them etc.
FREEDOM to choose is part of what makes America great. Our 2nd amendment rights are under attack as NEVER before so make sure your NRA dues are paid and I would encourage you if you have not done so to make your voice heard with your state and federal Representatives today.
Dan
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