Author Topic: .30-06 vs .270 (Read 4009 times)

DranDran · « **on:** February 07, 2014, 12:01:40 PM »

I'm sure this has been discussed over and over, but I couldn't find anything on here. My shots are all within 200 yards when I'm using a rifle and I have more experience with the .270. I know both are perfectly capable within 200 yards but I will be using this rifle for predator hunting as well, so shots may be quite a bit longer. Which would be the better choice?

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spruce · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2014, 12:26:24 PM »

Personally, the way I've always viewed the .270 vs. the .30/06 is the .270 has the edge for game smaller than whitetail deer, the .30/06 has the edge for game larger than whitetail deer.

For whitetail deer it's a draw.

DranDran · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2014, 12:51:03 PM »

The deer in my area maybe make 200 lbs, I won't be saving the pelts of the coyotes. Up at my aunt and uncles house they are over populated as well as at a friends house. We just want to thin them out during next season, shots on coyotes will probably cap out at 300 yards

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Ranger99 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2014, 04:27:10 PM »

use whatever you shoot the most
accurately with and have the most
confidence with. if you're set up to
shoot one or the other, stick with
that one.

DranDran · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2014, 04:33:54 PM »

Quote from: Ranger99 on February 07, 2014, 04:27:10 PM

use whatever you shoot the most
accurately with and have the most
confidence with. if you're set up to
shoot one or the other, stick with
that one.

I know the .270 is flatter shooting and I've been thinking about that, to be honest I've only shot the .270 twice. Once when I was about 12 and the 2nd was when I dropped my deer, I know I should have been more familiar with the rifle first but it was the only thing I had to borrow for a shot over 70 yards at the time.

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mcwoodduck · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2014, 04:40:45 PM »

Both are the same answer to the same question.
.277 Vs 308 bullet diameters. There is not going to be that much difference in Sectional density for the same bullet designs and weights with only .031 of an inch. There really is not that much difference between the two.

Loading a 150 grain bullet in each will result in about the same speeds.

The bullet selection for 308 projectiles and loaded ammo for 30-06 is about 12 to 1 in choices for bullets and loading for 270.

I am not a fan of either. I shoot a 308 Win and it does everything I need a rifle for that the 30-06 will do. My two uncles (both close to my age) both shot 270 rifles and used the 130 grain bullets. Only to see much of the small whitetails in NC turned to jelly with hits of the small fast bullets and the larger slower bullets I was shooting left holes that had very little if any jelly to the meat with the larger slower bullets.

Of the two, picking a 30-06 and shooting 165 or 180 grain bullets will do what ever you want of a hunting rifle from varmints to elk and moose and everything inbetween.

And O Conner was a fan of the smaller faster bullets for cross canyon or long shots. and the smaller faster bullets took some of the guess work out of estamating range.

DranDran · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2014, 04:45:39 PM »

Mcwoodduck- I've thought about the .308 but my uncle and his friends use .270, .30-06 or .30-30's. So I'm looking at the ease of borrowing bullets should I forget mine or someone forgets theirs.

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Ranger99 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2014, 05:05:02 PM »

Quote from: DranDran on February 07, 2014, 04:33:54 PM

Quote from: Ranger99 on February 07, 2014, 04:27:10 PM
use whatever you shoot the most
accurately with and have the most
confidence with. if you're set up to
shoot one or the other, stick with
that one.

I know the .270 is flatter shooting and I've been thinking about that, to be honest I've only shot the .270 twice. Once when I was about 12 and the 2nd was when I dropped my deer, I know I should have been more familiar with the rifle first but it was the only thing I had to borrow for a shot over 70 yards at the time.

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i guess i should also say that i don't use
either myself. like mcwd, i use mostly
my .308's. after i got my first one, i
got rid of my 30/06 and 243's. the
.308 does what i need it to. i was
thinking you had both and were reflecting on
whether to get shed of one or the other.

DranDran · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2014, 05:09:38 PM »

Quote from: Ranger99 on February 07, 2014, 05:05:02 PM

Quote from: DranDran on February 07, 2014, 04:33:54 PM

Quote from: Ranger99 on February 07, 2014, 04:27:10 PM
use whatever you shoot the most
accurately with and have the most
confidence with. if you're set up to
shoot one or the other, stick with
that one.

I know the .270 is flatter shooting and I've been thinking about that, to be honest I've only shot the .270 twice. Once when I was about 12 and the 2nd was when I dropped my deer, I know I should have been more familiar with the rifle first but it was the only thing I had to borrow for a shot over 70 yards at the time.

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i guess i should also say that i don't use
either myself. like mcwd, i use mostly
my .308's. after i got my first one, i
got rid of my 30/06 and 243's. the
.308 does what i need it to. i was
thinking you had both and were reflecting on
whether to get shed of one or the other.

Sorry for not saying I'm looking into getting one. I should have been more clear

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Drilling Man · « **Reply #9 on:** February 07, 2014, 05:13:37 PM »

Quote from: spruce on February 07, 2014, 12:26:24 PM

Personally, the way I've always viewed the .270 vs. the .30/06 is the .270 has the edge for game smaller than whitetail deer, the .30/06 has the edge for game larger than whitetail deer.

For whitetail deer it's a draw.

I agree... Unless you are hunting bigger big game, one's as good as the other, provided you pick the proper bullet for the game animal you are hunting.

DM

Ranger99 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 07, 2014, 05:19:45 PM »

no big thang d.d.

you might try to shoot a few of
what you want before you buy.
that's how i've ended up with
most of what i have. and you probably
should check to see what you'll
be able to get fodder for as
much as anything else.
good luck

FPH · « **Reply #11 on:** February 07, 2014, 05:29:22 PM »

I wouldn't use either for yotes if I was saving pelts. For 200 + lbs deer I would go with the 06.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #12 on:** February 07, 2014, 06:03:17 PM »

Quote from: DranDran on February 07, 2014, 04:45:39 PM

Mcwoodduck- I've thought about the .308 but my uncle and his friends use .270, .30-06 or .30-30's. So I'm looking at the ease of borrowing bullets should I forget mine or someone forgets theirs.

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That is how I ended up with a 308. Dad wanted me to get a 30-06 and as he had a 308 I opted for a 308 so we could share ammo on shooting and hunting trips. And the same reason my buddy and I both picked 338 WM for elk hunting rifles as we could share ammo in case... but we both picked different bullets and loadings.
Find a rifle you like especally if it is a deal, and just to be sure to tuck a box of ammo into your left hunting boot and one in the gun case or pocket of your hunting vest or coat, and if you have a detachable mag rifle, keep one in the rifle all the time and a spare one in the other hunting boot.
I would say leave ammo at your hunting place but I have done this, thinking I had more than enough to find all of it already shot or missing on my return the next season. The only way is to have an odd caliber that they can not use. Can not tell you how many boxes of 22LR, 44 Mag, 20 ga, and 12 ga have evaporated at the farm. But a box of 308 is always there

I think some even bought a 20ga as I had lots of ammo there for upland, target, and ducks. When I left a few cases of AA's and half a doz boxes of lead free it vanished as two people with access to the barn got 20 bores.

BBF · « **Reply #13 on:** February 07, 2014, 06:57:11 PM »

Forget borrowing ammo from someone unless your rifle shoots the very same stuff.

IMO The 30-06 has more bullet weight choices
The 270 shoots flatter............depending on bullet weight/style

Both have about the same amount of free recoil.
Both create blood shot wounds at closer range with caliber light standard bullets.

Ive seen moose taken with a 270 cleanly so any size other deer type won't be a problem.

I don't have a 270 since all my shots are within a 100 yards max. and usually about half that distance.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #14 on:** February 07, 2014, 07:14:00 PM »

DranDran

As others have said, either round is a deer killer. If you ever intend to hunt bigger game, the 30-06 might be a better choice. But for deer and yotes, the 270 is a fine choice. Bullet selection is the bigger issue. For deer at under 200 yards, I would use a controlled expansion 150 grain bullet. 130's tend to destroy a lot of meat up close. You don't NEED a premium bullet to kill a deer, but I like Nosler PT's, as they expand, but still penetrate, and don't blow up at close ranges. Use cheap ammo for practice, and one box of the premium stuff will last you quite a while for shots at game. 110 / 130 grain bullets will work fine on yotes, as long as keeping the hides is not an issue. The 270 shoots a little flatter then the 30-06, with a little less recoil, but the differences are small. Frankly, these days caliber is not so much an issue with me as is the rifle I am using. It pays to handle as many as you can, and see what you like, caliber, within reason, being secondary. Since you are buying new, a 25-06 would also be a great choice for what you want to do. I would not make a selection based on what others are using, pick whats right for you.

Larry

DranDran · « **Reply #15 on:** February 08, 2014, 06:19:16 AM »

Quote from: Bigeasy on February 07, 2014, 07:14:00 PM

DranDran

As others have said, either round is a deer killer. If you ever intend to hunt bigger game, the 30-06 might be a better choice. But for deer and yotes, the 270 is a fine choice. Bullet selection is the bigger issue. For deer at under 200 yards, I would use a controlled expansion 150 grain bullet. 130's tend to destroy a lot of meat up close. You don't NEED a premium bullet to kill a deer, but I like Nosler PT's, as they expand, but still penetrate, and don't blow up at close ranges. Use cheap ammo for practice, and one box of the premium stuff will last you quite a while for shots at game. 110 / 130 grain bullets will work fine on yotes, as long as keeping the hides is not an issue. The 270 shoots a little flatter then the 30-06, with a little less recoil, but the differences are small. Frankly, these days caliber is not so much an issue with me as is the rifle I am using. It pays to handle as many as you can, and see what you like, caliber, within reason, being secondary. Since you are buying new, a 25-06 would also be a great choice for what you want to do. I would not make a selection based on what others are using, pick whats right for you.

Larry

I've considered the .25-06 as well but ammo is neither common or cheap in my area and I've been told it's not enough gun for deer. I know people drop deer with a 100 grain .243 bullet and I know it's all down to shot placement

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Ranger99 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 08, 2014, 07:09:29 AM »

i think i'd go away from who ever
said a 25/06 wouldn't kill a deer.
my country neighbor used that for his
mule deer rifle until his health declined.
however, if ammo isn't readily available,
it wouldn't be practical to buy one.
as b.e. says, try a few out before you buy.

DranDran · « **Reply #17 on:** February 08, 2014, 07:13:28 AM »

It was someone my mom works with, probably said it because I'm "just a kid" (I'll be 18 in June). I'm going to be getting into reloading soon so it probably wouldn't be as big an issue should I decide to go with the 25-06.

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BBF · « **Reply #18 on:** February 08, 2014, 01:03:31 PM »

OK now since we have gone beyond the 270 vs 30-06 why not throw in a standard
(non Magnum) 7mm?
You have more bullet weight choice, a little less free recoil and the trajectory is good.
A 7mm/08 is popular so getting factory ammo should not be difficult.

DranDran · « **Reply #19 on:** February 08, 2014, 04:20:14 PM »

Quote from: BBF on February 08, 2014, 01:03:31 PM

OK now since we have gone beyond the 270 vs 30-06 why not throw in a standard
(non Magnum) 7mm?
You have more bullet weight choice, a little less free recoil and the trajectory is good.
A 7mm/08 is popular so getting factory ammo should not be difficult.

The .270 and .30-06 were my main choices but I'm open to all caliber choices so long as they're not magnum. I don't see the need for them with the distances I'll be shooting and the game I'll be hunting. My neighbor uses a .300 short mag with great success but the magnums aren't for me

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Mikey · « **Reply #20 on:** February 09, 2014, 05:47:55 AM »

Just get a 06 and stick with it. You will find when you begin reloading that the 06, when loaded with heavy slugs, will outshoot even the 7mm mag. It should go without saying tht hte 06 outshoots the 270 as well as the 308. If you were to have but one rifle in one caliber I would call for the 06. If you want to hunt coyote or other predators - use a 150 gn slug. You can use the same on Whitetail but for Moose, Elk, Bear and Boar I would go with the 180. For really big bear you cango to 220 gns if you think it is needed.
The 270 does not shoot any flatter than the 30-06. Both are standard rifle pressure cartridges with average pressure ranges below 60,000 and just about any bullet from any standrad pressure round will often shoot within 1" of each other trajectory-wise.

Really, I feel it is a incredible folly and a unbelieveable waste of time to go comparing cartridges like this. Why bother comparing at all - just get the one that everything else tries to compare to. If everyone is comparing the 270, or 280, or 308 or 7mm mag or 30-30 to the 30-06, just get the 06 and settle the arguement. End of story.

Rifle choice - I love my Winnies but lots of guys stick with their Remmies, and they have the Savage and the Ruger to contend with now, as well as the Mossburg, plus others. The choice is your.

cudatruck · « **Reply #21 on:** February 09, 2014, 10:00:20 PM »

If you do a lot of research and homework you will find yourself looking very hard at the 7mm-08. IF not then just buy what ever someone else told you and try to be happy with it.

What ever caliber you chose is really not that important! Get a rifle you like THAT FITS YOU WELL that you can afford and then really spend your time checking out scopes. Get a good one. far more critical choice.

After that spend all the money you can spare on ammunition and shoot shoot shoot... practice practice practice. Good luck.

D Fischer · « **Reply #22 on:** February 19, 2014, 09:07:27 AM »

Use the one you hunt with and use the load you hunt with. Great practice.

fatercat · « **Reply #23 on:** August 21, 2020, 12:18:39 AM »

went thru all that. still have a 30-06. still have a 270. had a 7mm magnum. then I starting reading about weatherby. Roy took a water buf. with a 257 weatherby magnum. thought I'd give it a try. loaded with 120 gn nosler partitions. took two elk with it. one scored 330 other scored 379. 379 took two shots. one to stop him( had a bad angle) went all the way thru him. second one thru lungs. kicks less than my others.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #24 on:** August 21, 2020, 01:07:19 AM »

ive killed deer with 2506, 280 (don't like the 270 but have no good reason why) 06, various 7mags and 300 mags. Have to agree with fatercat. Nothing seems to untrack them like the 257 wby. You usually loose a bit of meat but if you want dead right there kills its the king. If you want versatility get yourself an 06 and go about your business because it will do about anything.

pastorp · « **Reply #25 on:** August 21, 2020, 01:43:59 AM »

In Alaska my favorite hunting rifle was a untra lite weatherby sunthetic stainless in 257 WM. I shot everything with one from grouse to bears.

Back home here in Florida I don’t need the range the weatherby gives a guy so I use a 30-30 or a 357 mag Lever gun. Truth is my most used rifle now is a 22mag. I’ve found shot placement is more important than caliber.

RaySendero · « **Reply #26 on:** August 21, 2020, 06:02:56 AM »

Dran Dran Dran,

Your making it hard!

Just get you a scoped bolt action 270 Winchester.

Land_Owner · « **Reply #27 on:** August 21, 2020, 10:49:31 AM »

We're arguing a 2014 thread. That being said, what Ray said...^^^^^

Graybeard · « **Reply #28 on:** August 21, 2020, 11:21:48 AM »

Old threads can still be good threads. The .270 vs .30-06 argument has been going on for almost 100 years and isn't likely to end for another 100.

BTW in response to the OP I think the .270 would do better for him as the lighter bullets have better BC in the .270 than the .30-06.

I've owned both and like both.

neckisred · « **Reply #29 on:** August 21, 2020, 11:15:32 PM »

Quote from: Land_Owner on August 21, 2020, 10:49:31 AM

We're arguing a 2014 thread. That being said, what Ray said...^^^^^

Was hoping I wasn't the only one who noticed, but it is nice to see some participation and discussion.

. I don't care much for the recoil of either caliber. But............... if I could only own one rifle, it would be the 06 due to factory ammo availability and versatility.