Maximum Point Blank Range MPBR for Whitetails

I thought it might be interesting to pick three calibers one would consider for long range deer hunting as would occur in the western states, or on the prairies of Saskatchewan or even over looking a corn field or hay field in my own upstate NY from a tree stand.

MPBR stands for maximum Point Blank Range and is the distance at which a rifle's bullet will keep its trajectory within a PLUS or MINUS 3 inches.

My past post was about winning a western deer hunting sweepstakes where the airfare, guide, accommodations etc. are part of the sweepstakes, however you must bring your own rifle. Today I am going to look at how a .308 Win, .270 Win and a .300 WSM stack up against each other out to 300 yards.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_trajectory_table.htm

Information below is taken from an article and tables (SEE LINK ABOVE) by Chuck Hawks. Please refer to his article for additional information and tables on other cartridges. Chuck is one of my favorite writers.

Here is a ballistic printout of the three cartridges showing the caliber, bullet weight, muzzle velocity, bullet BC, trajectory at 100 and 200 yards and mid range trajectory MRT keeping the bullet within a PLUS or MINUS 3 inches. Finally MPBR - is the maximum distance at which the bullet will fall below the 3 inch low trajectory:

Caliber/bullet/MV/ Bullet BC/100 yds/200 yds/MRT/MPBR

.270 Win. (130 Sp at 3140)	.416	+2.5"	+2.4"	3"@150	305
.270 Win. (140 AB at 2950)	.496	+2.6"	+2.1"	3"@140	293
.270 Win. (150 Sp at 2900)	.481	+2.6"	+2.0"	3"@138	287

The above table show the .270 keep the 130 grain within that 3 inch variation out to 305 yards, the 140 grainer to 293 yards and the 150 grain to 287 yards.In other words there is only 18 yards separating the three bullet weights so all would be acceptable out to 300 yards on whitetails. I would simply choose whatever load shot the most accurately out of my rifle.

Let's look at the .308 Win: Here there is only 16 yards separating the 3 inch differential for all three bullet weights, however one can see the .270 is the better long range whitetail gun.

.308 Win. (150 BT at 2800)	.435	+2.7"	+1.7"	3"@135	275
.308 Win. (165 Sp at 2700)	.410	+2.7"	+1.3"	3"@130	264
.308 Win. (180 Sp at 2610)	.483	+2.8"	+1.2"	3"@125	259

Lastly take a look at the .300 WSM (Winchester Short Mag). Here essentially you are gaining a few yards and have the advantage of a larger caliber, heavier bullet. The 180 grain bullet out of the .300 WSM basically duplicates the approximate trajectory of the 140 grain bullet out of a .270 Win in a .30 caliber rifle with a 40 grain heavier bullet. IF I owned all three rifles and won the trip or managed to go on another trip like that, it is an easy decision to take the .300WSM.

I did go on a trip to Saskatchewan a few years ago with the Ruger .330 Win Mag and 180 grain bullets and never looked back. I did manage to see two different real bruiser bucks that I used a range finder to determine were on the far side of 450 yards. I did not take the shot. I passed up a couple lesser bucks inside of 150 yards which any of the three rifles above would have been more than adequate. Whitetails are whitetails and are not difficult to kill. That being said, Saskatchewan whitetails are BIGGER, sometimes a lot bigger and I would prefer the .300 WSM in that situation. The other item to consider is your bullet is going to get blown around more at 350-400 yards than it will under 200 yards. A heavier .30 caliber bullet traveling just as fast as your .270 bullet is an advantage.

Dan

.300 WSM (150 BT at 3300)	.435	+2.4"	+2.6"	3"@150	321
.300 WSM (180 Sp at 2970)	.483	+2.6"	+2.2"	3"@150	294