Author Topic: 270 Win compared to 30-06 (Read 2267 times)

BattleRifleG3 · « **on:** October 11, 2005, 06:33:40 PM »

No, this isn't a generic "which is better", this is looking for the experience of those who've used both.

I've owned 3 30-06s, and shot others, either Remington bolt actions or an M1 Garand. I've shot one 270, a Ruger #1.

I used to be an armchair fan of the 270, as something that can launch a not too light bullet pretty flat and work in everything an '06 will work in riflewise. In fact most modern guns chambered in 30-06 are also offered in 270 Win - Even the M1 Garand!

And one fellow wrote back in the day that he thought the 270 could effectively take any game on the continent. Well that's nice.

But what can a 270 do that a 30-06 can't? Though the trajectory may be more curved, does the 30-06 really have less range?

I knew all this but had the impression that the 270 had lower recoil. Well I never thought the Ruger #1 was a lightweight, and when it bit my shoulder, I just wondered WHY? The muzzle blast was greater than what I'd expect from an '06 too.

So I guess my question is if there's anything good about the 270 Win? Have folks fired it and 30-06 in nearly identical rifles and had better results than I did with the #1 vs the Remingtons? Or am I right to wonder why so many people use the 270 when the 308 and 30-06 are around?

Ramrod · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2005, 07:31:16 PM »

Caliber selection is always a matter of matching the gun and bullet to the game. What can my .30-06 do that my .375 H&H can't? Plenty if I use the right bullets for the situation at hand. Type of bullets used are usually more important than caliber. Here's something to chaw on. This quote is from the .270's biggest booster, Jack O'Conner, in the Hunter's Shooting Guide...

Quote

The .270 owes it's rise to fame and fortune in the mountain states to the fact that in spite of hell and high water you simply could not, for many years, get any other ammunition than that loaded with the excellent 130 grain bullets. If the original load had been the 150 grain bullet at 2,800 fps it would have become about as popular as the 7mm.

He is talking 7mm Mauser, this was written 1957, before the 7mm Rem Mag came out. The point being, that the lighter, more explosive bullets with their higher velocity drop the smaller big game animals quicker than slower rounds that yield less expansion but more penetration.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2005, 01:15:08 AM »

I think the 270 can do just about the same as the 30-06, but the edge would go to the 30-06 for larger bullet selection. I have owned and fired both. For me the 270 fills the gap between the 243 and the 300 Win Mag better than the 30-06. But that is just my opinion.

I really don't know the answer you are looking for, but from your post you seem to know a lot about each of the rounds you are asking about.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2005, 04:38:44 AM »

To para phase."But what can a .270 do that an 06 can`t?" Nothing!
That same question could be asked of a lot of simular but different
calibers. If your looking for which one has the "edge" it would seem to me you would need a whole set of criterion to go by, IMO.

"The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

marylandeer · « **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2005, 06:05:07 AM »

The .270 and .30-06 are very close. They both make excellent deer getters. But if average size whitetail deer is the main thing you will hunting then I would give the edge to the .270 Winchester. In my honest opinion based on my results you will get more Bang flop / lightning strike kills than the .30-06. I think this is due to the .277 bullets being specifically designed for the .270 and the manufactures have many years of R&D into it. The .30-06 on the other hand with it's .308 bullets are designed to perform well in many different cartridges with a wide range of velocities (example .308 Win; 300 Weatherby mag think about it). Don't get me wrong the 100 year old 06 is an awesome round and it happens to be my current deer getter delivered by a Tikka t3 ss lite.
Where the 06 shines over the .270 is when you throw larger animals in the mix. It's just a much more versatile cartridge than the .270 and I love versatility. But for DEER like I said IMHO you can't beat the .270 Win it's like peas and carrots. :grin:

BattleRifleG3 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2005, 06:25:37 AM »

Can anyone verify or rebutt that the 270 is louder and has the same recoil? To me it seemed sharper than any 30-06 I've fired.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2005, 06:39:15 AM »

Quote from: BattleRifleG3

Can anyone verify or rebutt that the 270 is louder and has the same recoil? To me it seemed sharper than any 30-06 I've fired.

Comparing the same bullet weight, I say it is the same. The only recoil difference I noticed is, in heavier bullet weights in the 06. No sound difference to me.

RaySendero · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2005, 03:24:46 PM »

Quote from: BattleRifleG3

No, this isn't a generic "which is better", this is looking for the experience of those who've used both.

But what can a 270 do that a 30-06 can't?

BG3,

Here's what my 270 does that none of the 06s (nor any other CF rifle) I've owned can do:

Start reading with my post dated Fri Jul 29, 2005 7:22 pm

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=68253&highlight=270

Mac11700 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2005, 07:23:01 PM »

Quote from: BattleRifleG3

Can anyone verify or rebutt that the 270 is louder and has the same recoil? To me it seemed sharper than any 30-06 I've fired.

I can...and especially out of a Ruger #1...it does kick more than most bolt actions...and this is due to the stock design/and fit...out of most normal bolt actions...the heavier 30-06 load will thump you a-little more with the heavier loads.If you want to make the #1 feel better to shoot ...add a Limbsaver recoil pad..and a nice soft cheek pad...and you won't think it's near as bad...I noticed you never said what barrel contour or lenght for the #1 and I also see you never mentioned if you where reloading for both ..this can have a-lot to do with the increase flash and blast...and if one has a much shorter barrel than the other...

Mac

gohip2000 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 15, 2005, 02:28:26 AM »

this issue came up with me too. I went to buy my first rifle and wanted the 30-06 or 270 win. they were the same price. I chose the 270. people say it shoots flatter and kicks a little less, but I've fount the kick to be the same, and around the 150 gr weight they seem to have the same trajectory. after my purchase I found out I would rather have a 30-06 because there is more bullet selections like FMJ and cheap surplus ammo, and heavier bullet selection. the only difference i can think of infact is bullet selection. the 270 bullet selection I have seen is from 90gr - 165gr. and the 30-06 bullets I've seen are from 110gr-220gr +FMJ+AP+Tracer.
has this been other people's experience?

Florida Jim · « **Reply #10 on:** October 16, 2005, 05:34:15 AM »

I have both. I got a .270 when I started hunting back in the 60's. I guess the romance of reading
"Jack O Conner" stories did it for me. It's certainly a fine round. But If I could have only one, it would be the "06". It's a lot more versatile round. I'm currently saving my disposable dollars for a "left handed" Model 70 in 30-06. It will be a brother to a "Left handed" model 70 Safari express in .375 H&H, I recently aquired. The 06, and .375 will be my Africa battery, when I head over there in a couple of years. I think a pair of rifles with the same "feel" and "controls' would be just capital.

jro45 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 26, 2005, 09:33:18 AM »

I own both and the only thing that the 270 can't do that the 30/06 can is fire the 220gr bullet or the 200gr bullet. The 270 has an avantage on the 30/06 is it is a smaller rifle and lighter.

RaySendero · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2005, 01:29:45 PM »

Bet no one has seen an 06 do this!

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=75484

rickt300 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 06, 2005, 02:31:00 PM »

I have found on average that 270 rifles are more accurate than the 30-06. I used my 270 on my last three elk hunts and have to say it killed elk with no problem. The 270 being more accurate will make a somewhat better varmint rifle. Other than these small kudos I feel the 30-06 is probably a better gun for game the size of elk on up.

lgm270 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 11, 2006, 07:28:32 PM »

The .270 wcf with 130 grain bullets shoots flatter and has less recoil than the 30-06. The '06 is a noticably harder kicker than the 270. I have always found the .270 to be easier to shoot and hit with than the 30-06. I've turned a few flinchers into good marksmen just by recommending they change from the 30-06 to the .270. They all found it easier to shoot and hit with too.

TrenchMud · « **Reply #15 on:** December 12, 2006, 03:20:05 AM »

I have used both and I seriously doubt that anything that you are so inclined to shoot with either
one will ever know the difference ! Both are excellent rounds and will take the same range of game at the same distances. They are so close in actual performance on game that deciding between the two is almost a mute point. The .270 has less recoil, the .06 can shoot heavier bullets.

Val · « **Reply #16 on:** December 12, 2006, 04:06:06 AM »

Flat shooting is basically a function of muzzle velocity. Develop a load with a lighter bullet for the 30-06 and it will shoot as flat or flatter than the 270. An example of this is the 25-06. Uses a 30-06 case (more powder) and lighter bullets and are known for flat shooting. A buddy of mine has a 270 and I don't feel any noticeable difference in recoil compared to my 30-06 shooting 165 grain pellets (he uses 130 grain pellets in his 270). As far as killing game, I think they are pretty much a wash in effectiveness (dead is dead). Of course with larger game the 30-06 has the advantage of larger bullets.

jro45 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 12, 2006, 06:11:27 AM »

With my 30/06 I shoot the 130gr bullet [30 Cal.] at 3225FPS. And it shoots Flat.

jasonprox700 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 12, 2006, 07:13:50 AM »

This comparison is the reason that I use a .280 Rem. It can shoot heavier bullets than the .270 and it is still as flat shooting with handloads.

nasem · « **Reply #19 on:** December 12, 2006, 01:09:19 PM »

while the 30-06 is a great with bullets from 165 to 180 grainers

while the 270 can have the same sectional density with 130 to 150 grain bullets....

For game that is under 300 lbs mark.... either caliber with either bullets will kill when hitting the vitals....

For much larger game, elk and moose and what not, you might want to consider some of them premium 180 griners in the 06'.....

Well, in all honesty...... A shot in the vitals in ANY animal from either caliber will kill... regardless if one kills a few seconds faster.

This thread has no real answer...... Anything you say is valid between the 2 calibers

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #20 on:** December 12, 2006, 01:30:26 PM »

If a blind test were taken with two identical rifles one in 06 and the other in 270 to compare recoil, I'd be suprised if more than 60% of people tested would be able to guess what rifle was what.

As to accuracy I've never bought the notion that one cartrige is any more accurate than another

dw06 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 12, 2006, 01:44:33 PM »

Quote from: krochus on December 12, 2006, 01:30:26 PM

As to accuracy I've never bought the notion that one cartrige is any more accurate than another

Me either,It always amazes me that you hear the 25-06,270,or 280 are more accurate than 30-06.Its the same case folks!Given good bullets,good barrels,good bedding,and last but not least good shooter and they will all shoot.As far as 270 compared to 30-06 I'll take 06 because I like it better,The 270 is good enough to stand one its own.

emsemt911 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 13, 2006, 06:08:23 AM »

The .270 wes one of the first wildccat loads. It is a 30-06 shell necked down to a .270 bullet.

I have both. I will take my .270 any day over my 30-06. I have shot numerous deer with them both, but I have not had a deer take more than two steps with the .270. It could just be the type of bullet that I was using in the 30, but I was simply using the bullet that my father told me I had to use when he gave me the gun. Just know that they are both good rounds in my book. Just buy game specific rounds.

My reason for going to the .270 was simply less kick. I have a browning .270 and a Remmington 742 woodsmaster carbine in .30-06. Now people will tell you that an semi-auto has less kick, well they have not shot my 30. After 10 rounds my shoulder is too bruised to shoot another round. I have the gun in my safe and it will be only taken out to hunt "Large" game. I have shot other 30-06, but they have just about the same recoil as my .270. The .270 has flatter ballistics, this is what sold me on the round for a new purchase.

You should not be dissappointed in either choice. It will be a choice simular to chevy or ford.