Author Topic: 30-06 or 270  (Read 2320 times)

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Offline californiahunter93

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30-06 or 270
« on: July 12, 2007, 08:26:31 AM »
If you had to choose what caliber would you use for elk down to coyotes the 30-06 or 270.

Offline J'hawker

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2007, 09:22:07 AM »
30-06.  Just my personal preference.
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Offline Graybeard

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2007, 09:46:00 AM »
If you had to choose what caliber would you use for elk down to coyotes the 30-06 or 270.

Yup one of those or even a .280 Remington not enough difference really to worry about. I guess for elk I'd rather tote the '06 but I'd not feel under gunned with the .270 or .280 using proper bullets of 150 or 160 grains.


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Offline dukkillr

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2007, 09:59:03 AM »
It you're serious about elk, 30-06.  If you're not serious about elk, .270.  For hunting use I like the major calibers because you can find a wide range of rounds everywhere.  The gas station in Mound City Missouri probably won't carry .280 or 25-06 but they'd sure have 30-06 or .270.  If you don't reload and you're looking for an all-around gun, your choices are .270, 30-06, or .308, imho.

Offline 30-30man

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2007, 11:18:46 AM »
My preference is the 30-30 because there is simply very little recoil, it's accurate up to 200 yds( about as far as most can shoot), and can be had in 170 grain bullets that are enough for elk.  You can shoot it and not develop a flinch.  The leverguns hold 7+ and are just cool.  Out of the two you listed, you simply can't get any better than the 30-06 for long and short range hunting if recoil is no issue for you.  It has so many bullet weight offerings and is readily available anywhere bullets are sold.  Many say the 270 is flatter shooting but not by much or any at all if you compare the charts.  The best thing about the 30-06 is you can get 220 grain bullets for large animals.  After the 30-30, the 30-06 is my next choice.

Offline jvs

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #5 on: July 12, 2007, 11:32:11 AM »
Out of those two, my personal preference would be the .30-06, just on load availability alone.  

I own a few 30-06's and buying a 270 does nothing for me that I don't already have.  But if I had a 270 first, I would buy a .30-06 because it expands your knowledge.  Even though I think you will be splitting hairs.

I don't know enough about a .280 to comment, probably because after I got acquiainted with the 06 I saw no reason to spend money on something I already had.

For Elk you may be using a heavier, bone-penetrating  bullet.  Therefore, a rifling that suits those heavyweights would be most important.  

Not all 30-06's are alike.
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Offline dw06

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #6 on: July 12, 2007, 12:50:05 PM »
I made my decision years ago the 30-06.There is nothing wrong with the 280 or 270 I just like the ol 06  ;)
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Offline old06

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #7 on: July 12, 2007, 02:34:47 PM »
Yea what Graybeard said................. if all being equal and I had either in front of me I would pick the Ought Six just b/c I like the history of it more and I wouldn't have called my self ...............  old06.........if I didn't like it a little more by the way I own more than one of each
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Offline beemanbeme

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #8 on: July 12, 2007, 02:54:01 PM »
Wahl, take your .270 and lay it at the foot of Jack's grave and get over it. Then take your 30-06 down to your local gun store and trade it in on a .280 and you're good to go.  :D  That's my unbiased, unbiased mind you, opinion.

Offline drdougrx

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #9 on: July 12, 2007, 03:08:11 PM »
I have'm and use both.  I think the 06 is better killer, but, there's something about tote'n a 270.......
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Offline victorcharlie

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #10 on: July 12, 2007, 03:18:34 PM »
I've got two .270's......but If I were going for Elk I'd prefer a 30.06......but I certainly wouldn't have any doubt about using a .270.....
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Offline Siskiyou

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #11 on: July 12, 2007, 09:10:05 PM »
I am a big fan of the .270 Winchester but I believe it falls at the bottom of adequate cartridges for elk.  And the 30-06 is an improvement over the .270 for elk.

A game warden friend hunts elk with a .270 loaded with 130 grain Nosler PT.  He is a cool, expert shot, who has far more field experience then most hunters.  I purchased a 7MM Magnum for elk hunting because of its ability to handle heavier bullets then the .270 Win. 

Frankly, the 7MM Remington Magnum was not my first choice for elk.  The .300 Winchester Magnum was my first choice, but my dealer did not have one in stock.  And he gave me a very good deal on the 7MM magnum.  If I had owned a 30-06 at the time I would have used it or went for the .300 Magnum.

Another friend shot an elk in the front center of the chest with a 30-06 Failsafe bullet.  The bullet penetrated the critical organs and stopped in a ham.  Other friends have successfully taken elk with standard 180 grain bullets out of their 06.    It is hard to beat the 06 as a good combination hunting rifle. (Did I just write that?  270’s rule!)
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Offline Mikey

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #12 on: July 13, 2007, 01:07:15 AM »
06.  Mikey.

Offline Redhawk1

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #13 on: July 13, 2007, 02:46:10 AM »
30-06 ;)
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Offline nomosendero

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #14 on: July 13, 2007, 03:55:57 AM »
It you're serious about elk, 30-06.  If you're not serious about elk, .270.  For hunting use I like the major calibers because you can find a wide range of rounds everywhere.  The gas station in Mound City Missouri probably won't carry .280 or 25-06 but they'd sure have 30-06 or .270.  If you don't reload and you're looking for an all-around gun, your choices are .270, 30-06, or .308, imho.

Sums it up well.
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Offline Savage .250

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #15 on: July 13, 2007, 04:48:25 AM »
  Can`t help myself......................30-06. 
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Offline Rangr44

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #16 on: July 13, 2007, 03:31:17 PM »
I know I'm not the first to say it, but the .30-06 is never a mistake.  I've got five of them, in various action types.
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Offline *ROCK-MAN*

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #17 on: July 15, 2007, 10:02:16 AM »
I have one of each in my gun cabinet.The 270 is my wife's.Hope this helps.
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Offline tanoose

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #18 on: July 15, 2007, 01:41:22 PM »
Another vote for the 30/06 with a premium 180 grain for elk

Offline DakotaJeff

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #19 on: July 15, 2007, 08:33:36 PM »

I shot 3 elk three years in a row with a .270 and 150 grain Partitions, none of them went over 20 yards.  But I suppose if I had them both side by side, I'd opt for the 30-06 with 180 grain Partitions.  To be honest, I wouldn't complain if I had either (or both) in my gun cabinet.  Right now all I have is the .270 (of the two) and it has served me well.

Offline Sourdough

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #20 on: July 16, 2007, 08:52:11 AM »
I own six 30-06s, and no .270s.  Guess you can see where my prefferance lies.  30-06 all the way!!!!!  Rog
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Offline californiahunter93

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #21 on: July 16, 2007, 10:46:49 AM »
Do you still vote for the 06 for deer, boar, coyotes?

Offline Sourdough

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #22 on: July 18, 2007, 08:04:50 AM »
I carry a 30-06 for everything except Grizzlies.  I use downloaded Barnes non-expanding solids for small stuff like foxes and cayotes.  I use 165gr Sierria Boattail for everything else up to Caribou.  I use 180gr Nosler partitions for Moose and Black Bear.
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Offline Brithunter

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #23 on: July 21, 2007, 02:24:33 AM »
Well I have four rifles chambered for the .270 and only one for the .30 Springfield so guess which I would choose  ;)

Offline saltydog

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #24 on: July 21, 2007, 04:31:31 AM »
 '06 would be best for elk - I would not use it for varmits except in an emergency. If you are limiting yourself to one caliber annually you will fire more rounds at varmits than elk so a 270 WIN, 260 REm or 308 WIN would be a better choice. There is a wide range of bullets available for a full range of game in the calibers.

Offline ~Ace~

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #25 on: July 24, 2007, 02:36:25 AM »
The one you can Shoot the best ! Both are plenty capable to do the job, if you do yours. Obviously the 06 has a slight advantage in power, so if choosing a Dedicated Elk gun, it would get the nod, but you said Elk down to Yotes... .270 fills that nicely assuming you don't save fur, the 90 grain bullets make a mighty fine, but not Fur Friendly predator round. I Like the .270 myself, and would not hessitate to hunt anything in North America with one, Except Dove, it just messes them up to bad :) ~Ace~

Offline shotgun31

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #26 on: July 24, 2007, 05:38:28 AM »
I made a recommendation to one of my younger relatives when he asked "what caliber" and I said 30-06.  I regretted it.  If I were to do it again, the first question I'd ask is "which rifle are you buying".  He bought a Remington 700 with a composite stock and we found that's pretty light for a 30-06 and the recoil is a bit much for some new shooters--it makes the learning process a little more complicated.   I think if I were to do it again I'd suggest the .270 for that light Rem 700/composite stock combination.  That 270 is sure a nice shooting caliber, in my opinion and I do't think the elk will care.  Just my thoughts.
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Offline Freezer

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #27 on: July 24, 2007, 07:29:36 PM »
Non hand loader 30-06.  Hand loader 280 Rem.  06 will do everything from elk to Coyote with factory ammo very well if you do your part.  That said a hand loader would be better served by a 280 over either 270 or 06.  The 06 can also be great for a hand loader but a 280 is better IMHO.

Offline jasonprox700

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #28 on: July 25, 2007, 05:00:41 AM »
I'm with freezer on the .280 for handloaders.  If I didn't handload, it would be the .270 for whitetails and muleys, but if I was planning on hunting something bigger than deer, then I would definitely opt for .30-06. (Even though I'm not a huge fan of the 06.  .308 is almost equal to the performance of it's larger brother, except with heavy bullets.)

Offline Mac11700

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Re: 30-06 or 270
« Reply #29 on: July 26, 2007, 07:51:32 PM »

As much as I am a fan of the 270...for versatility...the 30-06 wins hands down...Does the 280 offer more options than the o6' for reloading...NOPE...both the o6' & the 280 are rated to the same S.A.A.M.I. 60,000 psi...http://www.frfrogspad.com/miscellk.htm#pressure...and with the advent of the larger bore size..the o6' will always out run it when loaded to the max...which is something we have to do any ways if we want to make either of them shoot flat & fast...The 280 won't kill any thing deader...and ammo isn't as widely available...The 270 is mostly at these levels already...and while it can be improved a little...no where as much with the other 2...The one nice thing about both the 280 & the 30-06...you can make both an AI and enjoy them even more... ;)...If I was going any where in the world to hunt...I do believe I would take a 30-06 along with me...

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