.308 v. 30-06 v. 7mm-08 v. .270

[Mac11700]

You will probably lose about 50 fps per inch of barrel, so about 100 fps difference over a 24 inch barrel, could be slightly more depending on the bullet weights you shoot.  You can make up any difference using a very good low drag bullet or just shooting a boat tail bullet instead of a flat base one after the bullet has traveled 100 yards.  You are worrying about insignaficant things, the accuracy of the rifle and the glass you have on it is far more important than how fast the bullet is going.  You like the .270, so get one, tune it up and it will kill anything in North America at any range you can hit it.  What you really need is a 25-06, it is near perfect for what you want to do with it.  The .270 would finish in a strong second or third place.  Larry

Problem with this is...in a Handi...they are 22" not 24"...and from my experiances with the 270...it's more like 250fps difference especially with a 26" tube comparing it to a 22" and 150 fps for the 2" of barrel.....and depending on which factory load is being used...remember...he wants to use factory ammo...so as far as hand loading better bullets...that's not part of the equation...and the best factory ammo with the highest bc hunting bullet is the Swift Sirrocco...and these haven't given the best accuracy out of any of the test I've seen...most of the factory 270 ammo isn't getting near the velocity posted for it...it's anywhere from 75fps...up to 150 fps...slower...so...a person really needs a chronograph to check the differences...because if a person takes the factory's word for it...and guestamates a yardage to sight in at...the possible 300fps will make a huge difference at 400-500 yards...this is another reason I too like the 25-06..it makes a fine long range gun...and... as far as that goes...from what Handirifle was getting with factory ammo...and what Digger is getting with his...this makes a better argument for the 280 than the 270...numbers may not mean a-whole lot to some folks...but  with them you can see the differences and plan better...in long distance shooting ...you need every advantage you can get...better ammo...better optics...and practice...practice...practice...

Mac

[Mainer]

Thanks for all the input.   I'm looking over ballistics tables and trying to make a decision. :?   The easy way out would be to buy two rifles: one for medium range and one for long range.  That's easier than trying force one rifle to do diffent tasks.

As far as long range shooting, I don't know if I'd attempt anything over 300 yds.  I'm a member of two different gun clubs, but their longest rifle ranges are only 200yds, so that's the greatest distance at which I can practice.  I don't have a chronograph but I do have a laser rangefinder, so I am able to tell how high a particular load is shooting at an exact distance, so I can extrapolate how it will perform at a different distance.