What's your go-to medium game hunting cartridge?

[Hammer 35]

I'm itching for a new rifle, mostly for coyote, deer and javalina. Figure if I ever decide to go chasing elk I'll get a dedicated rifle if needed.

As much maligned as the ol' standby 270win is, I'm heavily considering one. I think the 280AI sounds like it'd be just the ticket for a do-all though. Not a whole lot of rifles chambered in it though. 7mag is very similar, just a little more oomph though. Plenty of guns in 270 or 7mag. The 270 just doesn't have the twist for the heavies I like (but don't really need) and the 7mag isn't as cheap to handload for, the 280AI fits right in that niche though, cheap to load, and heavy bullet friendly.

All that being said, what's your guys go-to's?

[Ballistic Therapy]

I have killed deer with lots of different calibers over the years.
I have killed more with a 30.06 than any other.
Now days I use a 308. Not because of any other reason than I got a good deal on a lightweight rifle and it happened to be in 308.

[Hammer 35]

I have killed deer with lots of different calibers over the years.
I have killed more with a 30.06 than any other.
Now days I use a 308. Not because of any other reason than I got a good deal on a lightweight rifle and it happened to be in 308.

What kinds of loads are you using? I've been loading and shooting alot of 165gr SGK HP's in my 308win. I'm afraid they're not very likely to open up on coyote or antelope, they've got a bit of a reputation for being a tough bullet.

I could hunt with my 308win, but it's a bit of a pig. It's set up for range duty, and swapping the fiberglass stock for carbon fiber and the target scope and steel rings/base for a more suitable lighter Leupold in Talley mounts would be much more friendly to tote around, but then I'd need a new range toy... decisions, decisions...

[Old Jeff H]

I'll readily admit I'm a little bit biased, but how do you beat the combination of the short action and the variety of bullets available for the 308?

125gr Speer TNT or Nosler Ballistic tip seems like it would spank a coyote pretty damn hard.

[Ballistic Therapy]

When I hunt deer I use 150 grain ammo.
For the last couple years I have been using Hornady American Whitetail ammo.
Before that I was using Remington 150 grain Core-Lokt in a 30.06.

Any bullet coming out of a 308 will kill any coyote.
I have killed more coyotes with a 22 magnum than any other round.

[Gunslinger808]

I’m partial to the .243 for the game you mentioned.
Plenty of power for intermediate game without too much meat loss.

Plus I reload it, including for my wife’s long range rifle.

[Hammer 35]

I'll readily admit I'm a little bit biased, but how do you beat the combination of the short action and the variety of bullets available for the 308?

125gr Speer TNT or Nosler Ballistic tip seems like it would spank a coyote pretty damn hard.

The 308win is a great cartridge, there's no stink on it for sure.

As long as you're not stretching the distance in high winds, those 125's will split a coyote open.

[stomp442]

My personal preference for a commercially available do all caliber would probably be the .25-06 or the .270 Winchester. I lean more to the 25 cal simply because I like the ability to go down to a 70gr bullet at blistering speeds and up to 120gr for larger game that is more than enough for even elk at reasonable ranges. I load mine with 115gr Bergers at 3100fps out of a 26" tube and it tackles anything from Coyotes to Mule Deer easily. It's not overly devastating on coyotes and actually kills with much more authority on bigger game than people realize. The .270 is kind of the same way it just plain works. Load it with a 130gr bullet and go kill anything you want with it. They wont beat you or your wallet up either like a magnum will.

[Delfuego]

I’m partial to the .243 for the game you mentioned.

Agreed. Sounds like a job for 6mm. 280ai is overkill (pun intended).

[Hammer 35]

I’m partial to the .243 for the game you mentioned.

Agreed. Sounds like a job for 6mm. 280ai is overkill (pun intended).

Well, I might be rebarreling my 308 to a 243.

I did just pick up a 300wm, but will be tuning the loads for it a little down. I think a 150gr around 2900fps will do what needs done. I think between the two I'll have my bases covered. The 243 will probably mostly stay as a range toy/ back up/ loaner though.

[Delfuego]

WinMag on javalina? Ouch! Not much bacon left.

[Hammer 35]

WinMag on javalina? Ouch! Not much bacon left.

It'll be downloaded to around 30-06/308 power levels, so it shouldn't be too bad.

I doubt I'll bother working up a true 300wm type load, no more than I'll shoot I'll just buy a box or two if I ever draw an elk tag.

[Longhair1957]

.243 is more then enough for yotes and javalina. And plenty for deer.

[Hammer 35]

I might grab a 243 Ruger American or Mossberg Patriot just to fill the gap between my 223 and 300wm hunting rifles. Although a 270/280 would cover both roles pretty well.

[mtptwo]

6.5 Grendel. Plenty big enough for deer, and it works in ARs with a new barrel and mag follower.