Author Topic: .30-06? .270? or .308? (Read 2510 times)

Old Griz · « **on:** June 19, 2003, 07:43:32 PM »

Been wanting a Ruger #1 for some time now. I just can't deside on what caliber to get. If they made it in 6.5X55 Swede, there would be no problem. I would HAVE to buy that gun. However, they don't and so far Ruger has no plans to do so. So now, what do I get instead? I don't need a magnum. There's nothing to hunt in North America that a .30-30 won't kill, so I don't need magnum power. At 50 I can't see good enough for those mile and a half shots, so . . . . . .30-06, .270, or .308? Hmmmmm. What do you guys think? :?

jhm · « **Reply #1 on:** June 20, 2003, 02:44:39 AM »

Old griz : With the listed calibers I would probably go with the old standby of 30-06 its a great caliber lots of different bullet weights to chose from to vary your shooting ranges and the game you are after.

JIM

Sixgun · « **Reply #2 on:** June 20, 2003, 05:05:22 AM »

This would be easy for me. Jack O Conner didn't convince me, I have no use for the 270. Everything it can do the 30-06 can do better. As far as the 06 goes, it is good but everything it can do, the 308 can do on less powder. Since I reload everything I shoot I would go with the 308 and neverlook back.

The 308 is not noted as a flat shooter but the difference in bullet drop between a 308 and a 270 with a 150gr bullet is only about an inch at 300 yards and very few people can shoot that good and it dosen't matter in a hunting bullet. With a 165gr bullet in a 308 you can kill everything from antalope to moose and a 308 will shoot 180gr fast enough to be very effective on the same game. I know that the 308 gives ground really fast when you get above 180gr but so does a 06. Even the 30 mags arn't that much better with the 200gr and above. If I need a bullet bigger that a 180 gr I go with a 338Win. It drives the 225gr fast enough to make a difference, but I don't usually need that much power.

I know I am walking on some of you guys's shrine but that is my opinion and you can express yours.

Sixgun

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 20, 2003, 02:38:21 PM »

Griz, I'm reading between the lines here and seeing a lot of myself. If I'm off base, my appologies. Have you consedered the 7 x 57mm, 7mm Mauser if you prefer? Plenty of zip, good choice of bullets, loads up or down really well. Recoil is mild enough that it is actually pleasent to shoot a lot. I know, it's old, there are many that will do things better, but it is still around for a good reason, it works! It's versitile. It's not hard on "aging" shooters!

onesonek · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2003, 05:06:17 PM »

Hi Gris, Seeings how #1 in the Swede isn't, or Rem's. equivilant, 260 aint(yet?). I'd agree with BF45, the 7x57 is a fine round. Although, I also believe the saying, when in doubt, go with a 06. But then there's merit in the lesser recoil of the 08 too! I haven't used a 270. It's your money.

On

Old Griz · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2003, 05:53:36 PM »

Thanks for responding (don't quit yawl). I must admit I am totally ignorant about the 7 x 57mm. I've never seen one or know anyone who has one. My concern was that I could walk in to a Wally World or some other sporting goods store in an emergency and say "Gimmie a box of __X__," and they'd have it. It might not be the exact round I wanted, but I could always leave with something that would work.

I'm still listening. I've already made one gun screwup this month. I'm in no hurry to make another mistake. :oops:

WW1 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2003, 05:56:05 PM »

Old Griz..
I have a few #1's and you have made a good choice for the rifle.. I have the 06 and 280 Rem, my favorite, 243 , 7mmMag..45-70...#1 for me is the 280..also the 45-70 isnt bad as it can be loaded for deer or elephant...I am still waiting for a 260 Rem to be added to the line...it would be a good match for your 6.5X55....hahaha...anyway what ever cal you choose, I am sure you wont regret i, the only one I would trade is my 7mmMag or my extra 280....Rob

dclark · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2003, 02:46:35 PM »

I have about 10 No. 1's in various calibers, including the '06 and the .270. The 1A of each are great, but the .270 became a .338-06 and my son shoots the '06 for everything antelope and up. Cannot beat it. However, my 7X57 in a 1A makes my heart beat a little faster, and that is what I raised my two boys to shoot for deer and elk. It may also go for antelope this year. It is a great cartridge that will kill anything the others will. It is easily handloaded with a wide variety of bullets to meet the present need and those bullets don't have to be "super premium" to do the job. I would recommend the 7X57 without reservation, if you handload. Might have to look a little further for factory, but they are now available.

dclark

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 21, 2003, 04:54:45 PM »

Just for grins, I stopped by the local Wally World today, keep in mind this is a very small town, a very small, poorly stocked wally world, to see if they had 7mm Mauser rounds. Yep, there they were!! 140gr was all they had but

Quote

My concern was that I could walk in to a Wally World or some other sporting goods store in an emergency and say "Gimmie a box of __X__," and they'd have it. It might not be the exact round I wanted, but I could always leave with something that would work.

Criteria met. :grin:

onesonek · « **Reply #9 on:** June 22, 2003, 02:11:41 AM »

I caught that too. We live in a small town,fairly close to (45mi) to a city that has everything. So here in town you don't find much. We do have one gas stop that carries a modest supply of hunt'n and fish'n stuff. O'l Joe here in town had a couple boxes each, 270,308, 30-06, 300sav,& 7x57. No Swede's( unless you count his wife).And I think she norweigen (sp). Anyhow, my bro-in-law has a gunshop in the city I was refering too, and, I ask if he stocks the swede. He did have a few boxes. He had alot of 7x57's. Now I'm sure any of your choices would work perfectly. But #1 RSI in a 7x57 is "classic ", and trips my trigger. Think'n about it makes me drool, just might get one m'self!!!

On

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 22, 2003, 06:30:29 AM »

Hell Griz, I wish you hadn't brought this subject up!

Years ago I wanted a Number 1 in 7mm, but being young and dumb with wife and kids, I spent a lot of effort removing the desire from the forfront of my mind. After several years I just hadn't thought of it until the last few days. Now, I've already made two passes through the safe to see what was there that wasn't needed any more to maybe help finance this endevor. Alas, at the moment they are all "keepers" so this would have to be a cash deal. :cry:

Hope your happy! :wink:

Old Griz · « **Reply #11 on:** June 22, 2003, 07:48:20 AM »

Hey, I'm always happy to help out the gun industry! Any little way I can. :grin:

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 22, 2003, 08:08:16 AM »

Griz, you know, don't you, that since you are the one that started this, we're gonna want to know what you decide!?

hillbill · « **Reply #13 on:** June 22, 2003, 03:04:09 PM »

hey griz, when i went to get a no.1 in 308 here bout 3 yrs ago they informed me the new ones were not available in .308 in the standard model. got one in 30-06 is a great gun but carrys like a lead pipe, should of got a international with the short barrel and the mannlicher stock. course i was used to carrying a model 7 rem for bout 10 yrs. i agree with what some what someone else said here that a .308 will do anything a 30-06 will do with less powder! oh must mention im partial to manlicher stocks. anyone else care to comment?

Old Griz · « **Reply #14 on:** June 22, 2003, 07:50:51 PM »

Well, you guys have given me a lot to think about. I was sorta, kinda, maybe leaning toward the .270 at first, but no one seems to care for it. The logical choice seems to be the .308. BUT--after doing a ballistics comparison at the Remington web site, the 7x57 and my beloved 6.5x55 are so doggone close that I'm gonna have to think about this a while. I'll go by all my usual gun stores and see if they have 7x57 readily available, etc., etc., etc. Dang it, one of these days I'm gonna have to learn to reload. :idea:

jhm · « **Reply #15 on:** June 23, 2003, 01:26:53 AM »

Old Grtiz : BTW when did ruger start making the #1 in 308 I seamed to recall it was not a chambered round, but I havent looked at them for a couple years,

JIM

onesonek · « **Reply #16 on:** June 23, 2003, 02:19:32 AM »

308 is listed now

On

Smiley · « **Reply #17 on:** June 24, 2003, 04:56:24 AM »

I shoot a lot of 30 06, but depends on what i'm after. The 270 has a little more kick than an 06 for me, could be the type rifle (Rem-Win). I use a 300 mag when serious. But i think the 270 is the beat all around cal. I just got a new Win WSM 270 and it does appear fast. Already has 1 white tail and 1 mule deer to its credit. One was at 350 yards and the other 200. it really depends on what you want it to do. HAVE fun and good luck <

onesonek · « **Reply #18 on:** June 24, 2003, 02:39:06 PM »

Hey Old Griz, Reloading isn't all that difficult, but it deffinately adds to versatility of a given cartridge. More so to something like the 7x57. If you need any more food for thought, just ask.

On

Ladobe · « **Reply #19 on:** June 27, 2003, 11:41:39 AM »

Quote from: Old Griz

Well, you guys have given me a lot to think about. I was sorta, kinda, maybe leaning toward the .270 at first, but no one seems to care for it. ....

Sheesh, never say this post running. For big western Mule deer, elk and varmints, the 270's have never let me down. Jack O' and I will stay with our 270's to the very end thank you (Jack already did). :wink:

ReedG · « **Reply #20 on:** June 27, 2003, 06:40:44 PM »

Hey Griz:

Opinions, opinions, opinions. Praise the Lord! I personally feel that the .270 WCF is one of the best hunting calibers in the world. But I'm sure not gonna get into a spittin' contest with all the '06 lovers. Agreeing that you (nor most of the other "hunters") do not need a magnum, I'd give the .243 a good look. I've had two recently in bolt-action rifles and I'm impressed with the flexibility of the caliber. If you want to hunt deer-sized animals and smaller with low recoil, good accuracy then the .243 could be your choice. Other than that, the .270 would be excellent.

Old Griz · « **Reply #21 on:** June 28, 2003, 12:32:44 PM »

Thanks onesonek for the heads up on the #1 in 7mmx57, however, one really stupid gun purchase a couple of weeks ago, and the cost of getting one repaired, has set me back on my purchase of my #1. Still the question remains. I went to Wally World today--a brand new super delux mega Wally World--and they didn't have any ammo for the 7mm Mauser. I went to other gun stores and they didn't have it either. One store had a rifle in that caliber, but no ammo for it. Finally, at Bass Pro Shop, they had three boxes of Remingtons, but that was it. Not very promising. So it looks like I'm back at my first three calibers again.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 29, 2003, 02:19:24 AM »

Well, back to the original question.

Since it is my OPINION that everyone should have: 22, 12ga, 30-06, I guess it would depend on wether or not you already had the 06.

I would probably opt for the 308. I believe these two 30 cal's have a bit wider range of versitility with a wider selection of bullets. Any of the three would be a good choice as far as I'm concerned.
:-D Aren't delimas fun? :-D

Old Griz · « **Reply #23 on:** July 04, 2003, 06:29:13 AM »

Talked with a local dealer who promised he would keep at least two brands of 7x57 in stock if I desided on that caliber. However, I'm gonna put off getting the #1 for one more season in hope that Ruger will come wout with one in either the 6.5x55 (HIGHLY unlikely) or maybe .260. They make their bolt action in both. This year they added more elephant gun loads. Who knows. Maybe next year they'll look at the other end of the spectrum.

animal · « **Reply #24 on:** August 29, 2003, 08:34:26 AM »

Ole Griz,
I own a No.1 RSI in 7x57 w a little Nikon 1.5 x4.5 scope. I do reload. Ya should consider an inexpensive Lyman press and do it. I have a decent collection of guns. When reaching for a deer rifle anymore I almost always grab that RSI. It is even shorter than my 30-30 marlin. I've taken big bucks out to 268 Yards with it and it just carrys better than anything.

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #25 on:** August 29, 2003, 01:39:45 PM »

Griz,

I'll throw in my $.02 worth and agree with the previous poster on the .308 over the .30-06 for saving powder on reloads. I have both and, while I prefer my NEF .30-06 rather than the Winchester 88 in the field, when it comes time to load up some brass I like that short, fat cartridge.

A friend of long ago who is now in the happy hunting grounds swore by the 7x57. He was the ultimate woodsman, living in the bush in interior Alaska. If he didn't shoot it, he didn't have meat. His was also the first rifle I saw with the "scout" scope installation, putting a pistol scope out forward on the barrel. That was in 1969.

Another suggestion: instead of the Ruger go with the NEF in .30-06. For $100 or so they will fit a .308 barrel to it. It may not be as nice as the Ruger, and it's a break open action rather than falling block, but for the price of the Ruger you can have the NEF and a bunch of barrels, too!

You really should reload, by the way. A cheap Lee Loader in the caliber of your choice goes for $20. Get a scale rather than relying on the dipper powder measure. Lee has theirs for $30 (I push Lee for price, but there are other brands out there) so for $50 + components you get a good start at learning the reloading game. If you want a little more sophistication get Lee's Hand Press ($27) dies ($27) and Auto Prime (along with the scale). Lastly, get a reloading maual and you have a complete reloading set up which doesn't need a bench. Both the Lee Loader and hand press work fine at the kitchen table. Those are Lee's prices, by the way. My Midsouth catalog shows a BIG savings.

Let us know what you end up with!

-Kees-

Old Griz · « **Reply #26 on:** August 29, 2003, 05:54:12 PM »

Will do. I'll keep hoping for the .260 but I might just settle for the 7X57 if nothing happens next season at Ruger.

onesonek · « **Reply #27 on:** August 30, 2003, 01:56:04 AM »

Hey Griz,

Just a couple more suggestions. It really couldn't hurt to call Ruger, and put a bug in their ear.( if you haven't already). Also, when you're ready to buy. Keep an eye on those net auctions. Once in a while, I've seen #1's for $450 used. Then you could rebarrel it to the 6.5x55 and have what you want. True it's more expensive, but not an arm and a leg over new. They say money can't buy happiness. For me anyway, if it's between something I could live with, or something I would really enjoy, and the cost was 1/2 again as much. Well, I would spend the extra 250-300 bucks. But that's me! everybody has different views,and priorities. Only you can decide for yourself what's best. And I wish the best to you, however it works for you!

Old Griz · « **Reply #28 on:** August 30, 2003, 05:42:58 PM »

I thought about that. I contacted the E. Arthur Brown, Co. because not only does he make some of the finest single shot rifles in the world (only his receivers will not accommodate the 6.5x55), he also does custom work on T/Cs and #1s. It would cost about $350 to have a #1 made into a Swede. The only thing is that common sence tells me to wait until next season. (Common sence hits me very rarely, and then it usually fades quite fast!) I have a few virgin rifles that haven't spilt blood yet, and here in Tennessee we can only take 2 bucks a year with cartridge guns. Plus I like to handgun hunt, too, so it's not like I can run through my arsenal in one season anyway. It's just that I WANT one so badly. That and the fact that the number of years ahead are a whole lot shorter than those that have passed, so if Ruger doesn't make one in 6.5X55, or .260 in a couple of years, I will have to bite the bullet (pun intended) and either have one made or settle for the 7mm Mauser.

Thanks for the suggestionit was a good one, and it may yet happen.

onesonek · « **Reply #29 on:** August 31, 2003, 09:25:29 AM »

I know, my 6mmAI was built by EABCO. It's extremely accurate. And I ordered a 7mmBRM from them awhile back, it should be here any day.
You know, his (Eben's) 6.5BRM in the 97D, isn't that far off the 6.5x55 in performance. I went with 7BRM, cause in a pinch, I can fireform 7-30 Waters in it. Also, either the 6.5 or 7BRM's, are plenty of gun for deer.
When I ordered the 7 from him, we got to talking. I think he said his son took a very good caribou with the 7BRM-150 gr. sirrocco, at I believe he 200 yds. In his words, with devastating effect.
Then again, if your heart is set on a #1, there is no substitute!