Author Topic: .270 or '06 Winchester? (Read 1486 times)

44 Man · « **on:** July 30, 2012, 11:16:15 AM »

Ok here's my story. I've been playing around with single shots for quite some time and I decided I need one, quality, 'all around' rifle. I saw a nice used 70 fwt at Jay's in .270 with great wood last fall and put it on layaway. I got it out a month ago and it shoots great! But I was just back into Jay's this week and they have a twin to mine in 30-06. I can't do both so I'm in a quandry. I can't see that the .270 can do much that my 7-08 can't do with proper bullets matched to the game. And I know it is capable of big game (elk, mule deer, black bear) expecially with partitions. BUT I also know that the '06 will do all of that and more. I'm feeling I jumped too soon and should have waited for the '06. I reload for both. Any opinions for me? Should I just enjoy my .270 and not fret, or should I try to make a deal and exchange guns? 44 Man

DennisB · « **Reply #1 on:** July 30, 2012, 01:23:52 PM »

Tough call--but since you say you can't do both, stick with the fersure shooter .270

BRL · « **Reply #2 on:** July 30, 2012, 01:51:30 PM »

I am a huge fan of the .30-06! But I wouldn't trade a gun that shoots and is that close in performance just to step up .03 of an inch and can handle a heavier bullet (and loose some money in the trade). If you load for that cartridge, it sounds like you may have another rifle in .30-06. I'd keep what you have and not look back.

Ranch13 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 30, 2012, 02:29:35 PM »

Stick with the 270, the 3006 won't do anything the 270 can't do in any practical hunting situation. It's accurate with lighter fly weight bullets , something the 06 is hit or miss with.
The 270 generally doesn't kick near as bad as an 06 altho there are some exceptions to that.

james · « **Reply #4 on:** July 30, 2012, 02:52:12 PM »

I have a Remington BDL 30-06, Savage 116 in .270 and a Tikka 695 deluxe in .270. I have not shot the Tikka or Remington (safe queens) for five or six years but I haven't been moose or bear hunting either. I would stay with the 270 and get something even bigger than the 06 if you are going after grizzly or other dangerous game.

woods · « **Reply #5 on:** July 30, 2012, 03:43:06 PM »

Enjoy the 270 there's not much difference in the 06 and the 270, both have there better points but thats what the whole thing about trying different calibers you can allways seem to justify buying something different, have confidence in what you have allready build your confidence by practicing and leaning.
woods

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #6 on:** July 30, 2012, 11:02:42 PM »

If all your going to do is hunt deer its a toss up. If larger game might someday be hunted the 06 has a small advantage. Personly ive never been a fan of the 270. As many guns that have passed through here through the years i can honestly say never a 270. Ive owned a bunch of differnt 06 rifles though. I guess alot of it revolves around the fact that i detested jack oconnor. Ive owned a few 280s and will allways have one in that caliber and theres not spit differnce between the two. O6 for me.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2012, 12:21:05 AM »

Personaly, I would keep the .270, as it is a known accurate gun that you already own, and for all practicle purposes,will do anything the 30-06 will do.

I think you should work a trade and get the 30-06, as you have it in your head that it is the gun you REALLY wanted. You will always second guess yourself keeping the .270 if you don't. Rationality doesn't count when it comes to picking "The One Rifle", being able to sleep at night with a smile on your face does....

Larry

BRL · « **Reply #8 on:** July 31, 2012, 12:25:44 AM »

Good point, Larry.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #9 on:** July 31, 2012, 02:27:10 AM »

I can't see the 7m-08 not doing anything you need in reason.

Would you rather have the 30-06 even if it didn't shoot as good as the 270? Would you be happier with the 270 if it shoots better than the 30-06? Welcome to the world of rifle loonies. Rifles are like the hunt. The chase makes it exciting.

44 Man · « **Reply #10 on:** July 31, 2012, 02:27:28 AM »

Larry is a wise man. That just may be the bottom line. I have read an article talking about the .270 in Africa. It seems the PH's there are very satisfied with the .270 for all of the 'non-dangerous' game when used with 160 gr partitions at 2800 fps. So I guess I can't fuss about the performance. I just have to remember that 'back in the day', before all of these high performance bullets and we only hade 'cup and core' bullets, the '06 was the 'go to' gun. I was not a fan of Jack O'Connor that much, but he did demonstrate what the .270 could do. Again with only 'cup and core' bullets. I guess the younger hunters would liken this to the 7mm Mag and the 300 Win Mag. The kick of either has not bothered me as the '06 I had shortly (too heavy a gun for my tastes) had a recoil pad and so has my .270 now. I'll see what Jeff says. If I can make a trade and not have it cost me an arm and a leg, I'll do it. It it's too much, I'll go buy some partitions for the .270 with the money. Thanks to you all for your honest answers, I appreciate it. 44 Man

44 Man · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2012, 01:34:17 PM »

Well, it's a moot point now, I am the proud owner of a M70 XTR Featherwt 30-06. I called the owner of Jay's today and explained what my quandry was. Jay's has a very liberal return policy so I explained what I hoped to do, and he said he could do that. I swapped the .270 for the 30-06. Since I had already shortened the stock and installed a pad (I like short stocked rifles), I kept my stock and put the .270 action into his stock. Had a little work getting the '06 action down into my bedding but I have that all taken care of now. All for $35 to cover his paperwork. I'm a happy man! Now I have to get back to the range again!

44 Man

BRL · « **Reply #12 on:** July 31, 2012, 02:26:44 PM »

You can't beat that trade with a stick.

I need his number...maybe I'll trade a few. Haha.

Now, I have an M70 in .308 you might like better!

All kidding aside. I do love those M70 featherweights.

Best wishes to you!!

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #13 on:** August 01, 2012, 11:06:19 PM »

couldnt think of a nicer hunting gun. I love featherweights. they just fit me like they were made custom for me. Ive got one in 280 but if a good deal on an 06 popped up id be hard pressed to pass on it. Only bad shooting featherweight ive ever seen was the 257 rob one i bought back in the 80s. It was hard pressed to shoot a 2 inch group. There was some known problems with the 257s though. It was still hard to part with that one even though it wasnt much of a shooter. It was a beautiful gun and did the job on 200 yard deer. Ive allways said the featherweights are probably the nicest looking and handling bolt guns on the market.

poncaguy · « **Reply #14 on:** August 06, 2012, 03:32:41 PM »

RevJim · « **Reply #15 on:** August 07, 2012, 05:03:47 AM »

Great trade! I just went through almost the same process. While Mod 700 in 35 Whelen AI is "my one and only", I "needed" a spare that I could buy factory ammo for; a 30.06 was my choice ( although I have other rifles over in my SIL's safe, I just keep a couple on hand now) I had a Mod 700 Mountain rifle rebarreled w/a Shilen. Part of my reasoning; I had it in my heart! ha
The only Mod 70 FWT ( post 64) I could not get to shoot was in 7x57, which really bummed me out. ( I liked ol Jack O'Conner, but I also liked Ol Elmer,ha) So I sent it off ( around '93) and had a 23" Douglas Premium put on it. I got it back just a week or so before my first cow elk hunt (early Novemebr) I decided to use the then new Hornady LM 180 Spire Pt ammo. I was getting 2910 fps ( chrono checked) I shot my cow at 135 steps "running" through some aspen. Knocked her down. As I approached, she was trying to get up, so popped her around 100 high lung shot. After I "double checked" she was indeed a cow and not a spike (whew, my mind was playing tricks on me! ha) I gutted her, necropsy showed my first round had broke her spine behind her shoulder and was wadded up right there. My 2nd shot had made a big cavity in both lungs, but I found the bullet, disentgrated and had stopped insdie the far ribs. This surprised me as I had used Hornady's alot on deer, and they seemed "hard" to me. Later on, I went to the then new Federal High Energy 180 Partition. Sheboygin! I got 2970 with that load so bought 6 boxes. Shot a mule deer doe with it the following year, and then gave the rifle and ammo to a Missionary friend of mine in South Africa. He used that rifle and load for all kinds of plains game, including Eland. That's just "one" of the reasons I have an affinty for the 30.06. If I had done that with a .270, I may have felt different, ha. But I replaced that particular '06 with the Whelen, and the rest is history as they say! I have shot alote of game with handloads in different '06s through the years, but I try the hot shot factory loads too. My "next" load to try will be the Federal High Energy 180 Trophy Bonded tipped load. I find that up to around 250 ydws or so, I could not tell the diff between the '06 (with these loads) and any 300 WM I've had.
Now, the .270 is popular out here, but I played with a .280 Ackley Imp more than any 270 I've ever had. I have a neat Belgium BAR in .270 that shoots some hoarded Winchest 140 Fail Safes like a varmint rifle...its just too dang heavy for me in these mountains, ha. I think you chose right myself, and yes, Ol Jack was a snooby old fart, but I enjoyed his writings! If Elmer would have had some of those Federal High Energy 180 partitons in his springfiled, he may have felt different about the 30-06, ha.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #16 on:** August 07, 2012, 05:32:59 AM »

I have never owned a 270 and most likely won't . I like 2506 and 3006 and they do all I need to do in a non mag. I would offer this, what will you lose to trade ? The loss + the cost of the new rifle would be actual cost to you . Now would the actual cost of the 06 be reasonable or would it make the gun over priced ? If its over priced I would walk away. If not then you need to decide if you need a lighter bullet or a heavy one and go from there.

rickt300 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 23, 2012, 05:35:49 AM »

Good move I think. I have for years used 30-06 and 270 rifles but just recently rebarreled my last 270 to 30-06 and am going to put a 30-06 barrel on a custom Mauser I have in waiting. Bore diameter has meaning and if you are reloading both cartridges the 270 just does not shoot much flatter than a properly loaded 30-06. If recoil is a bother load the 06 down a bit. As far as I'm concerned if you have to go to the Partition to get what you need from a 270 then you need a 30-06 more. This said if you hunt nothing larger than deer a 270 is fine but so is the 30-06. If you hunt Elk then the 30-06 is a step up.