Author Topic: .270 vs .30-06 (Read 2704 times)

gs672 · « **on:** September 24, 2005, 03:07:36 PM »

I primarily hunt in the North East for whitetail and the occasional Black bear that may be roaming. The area is mostly wooded but there can be a 300 yard shot but rare. Searching through this forum these two rounds get high praise for there performance, price and availability. The rifle is going to be a Browning Stalker or Hunter haven't decided yet. Kickback is not going to be a deciding factor either.

Any input would be helpful in order for me to make a decision.
Thanks in advance.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2005, 03:11:20 PM »

The only thing separating the two rounds is the ability to use heavier bullets in the 30-06 and having a larger diameter bullet. Other
than that, in my opinion they are about equal.

Captain_Obvious · « **Reply #2 on:** September 24, 2005, 05:02:39 PM »

I second what he said.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2005, 05:14:27 PM »

All else being equal I'd give the edge to the 06, mostly because you have a wider range of bullet weights 100gr to 220gr versus 90gr to 150gr for the .270. Besides I honestly cannot tell any diffrence in recoil between the two rounds.

Ramrod · « **Reply #4 on:** September 24, 2005, 05:33:57 PM »

Either one has more power than you need for hunting deer in the woods. A .30-30 or .35 Rem. is plenty. That said, of these two choices, the best long range killer of deer sized critters is the .270 with 130 grain bullets. If you want one gun to hunt the entire American continent though, the .30-06 is the ticket due to heavier bullets. For what you want to do, get whichever one tickles you the most. There is no difference.

gs672 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 24, 2005, 05:53:28 PM »

It seems like the old .30-06 might have the edge in my situation.

kenscot · « **Reply #6 on:** September 24, 2005, 06:29:06 PM »

I own both and hunt in the same area and when it comes to putting deer down in their tracks my 270 wins hands down

Norseman112 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 24, 2005, 08:45:32 PM »

30-06

Norse

Slamfire · « **Reply #8 on:** September 24, 2005, 09:47:14 PM »

Personally, I think if you have to ask about these two cartridges, you are over gunned with either. There is nothing living in the area you hunt that can't be handled with a .250 Savage. Bullet placement is so much more important than size, weight or velocity that they really don't deserve mentioning, until you can place the bullet in the correct place each and every attempt. :-)

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2005, 01:38:24 AM »

Quote from: kenscot

I own both and hunt in the same area and when it comes to putting deer down in their tracks my 270 wins hands down

How is that? Or do you shoot your 270 better than your 30-06?

jro45 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 25, 2005, 04:41:45 AM »

I'd go with the 30/06. Like what was said you have a larger choise of bullets for other game.

while99 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 25, 2005, 05:12:36 AM »

I could never make up my mind on the .270 versus .30/06 question so I bought a .280 Remington.

Captain_Obvious · « **Reply #12 on:** September 25, 2005, 06:47:58 AM »

If you were choosing based on ballistics alone, the 30-06 would be the odds-on choice. Bullet selection is also favorable.

gs672 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 25, 2005, 07:36:13 AM »

Bullet placement is certainly most important. I am picking between the two because they are readily available and the selection of bullet. I loved while99 post, it made me laugh. I also love the reason behind every ones choice, it definitely helps with my decision.

Varminter · « **Reply #14 on:** September 25, 2005, 07:51:51 AM »

I think everyone needs to look at 270 balistics through a 26in. barrel. I think once you look at that you'll go for a 26" barreled 270.

Yeah you can use heavier bullets in the 30-06 but big deal. I don't need a 180gr bullet to kill a deer or elk for that matter. A 130gr bullet will work fine for both.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #15 on:** September 25, 2005, 08:18:06 AM »

Quote from: Varminter

I think everyone needs to look at 270 balistics through a 26in. barrel. I think once you look at that you'll go for a 26" barreled 270.

Yeah you can use heavier bullets in the 30-06 but big deal. I don't need a 180gr bullet to kill a deer or elk for that matter. A 130gr bullet will work fine for both.

I look at it a bit diffently when hunting in deep cover the heavier 06 bullets will give you better penatration because sometimes if you want meat you might have to take a less than Ideal shot. I haven't had to do it but I've seen deer shot in the butt before :shock:. Now was it right

I felt I shouldn't comment since I was sitting round the campfire eating venison.

gs672 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 25, 2005, 11:14:58 AM »

I will not be shooting either bullet out of a 26 inch barrel anyway. I also know both bullets are more than adequate for Whitetail. How about the occasional 300 pound Black bear? I know bullet placement is vital, but if I'm off I certainly don't want to piss off a 300 pound Black bear (ever see their claws).

Captain_Obvious · « **Reply #17 on:** September 25, 2005, 05:31:43 PM »

I don't think there are too many 26-inch barrel 270 Winchesters available these days.

Redhat · « **Reply #18 on:** September 25, 2005, 09:47:20 PM »

Quote

I don't think there are too many 26-inch barrel 270 Winchesters available these days

CZ 550...25/5" Bbl

JameyF · « **Reply #19 on:** September 26, 2005, 01:10:27 PM »

I am in the East also, and I choose the 270. I just started deer hunting last year. The two deer I shot at both fell quickly. Both shots were well placed from about 70 yards and 175 yards. The fields I hunted were open, but there was no way I could have a clear shot more than 300 yards. I will be going to Texas this year for whitetails, and I hope to go out west someday.

Someone earlier said the ballistic advantage goes to the 30'06, but I didn't see that when I researched it. That was one of the reasons I chose the 270 and the reason I would suggest the '06 to you. If 300 yards is the absolute limit and will only be hunting in/around woods, I would go with the '06 for heavier bullets that would be less likely to be affected from a chance encounter with a twig on the way to the deer. Also, you mentioned black bear and the slightly larger bullet should give it a slight edge with that also.

As a last thought, I really dont' think it will matter. They are both VERY capable, and I would consider myself well equiped with either for anything that would wander in front of me. I've seen what a 270 will do with 2 deer and a steel plate. When I just bought a replacement to my Boss equiped Browning, I had no desire to go with more and stayed with the 270.

gs672 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 26, 2005, 01:39:55 PM »

Jameyf,
I was leaning towards the 30-06 for the exact reasons you mentioned. There is also an excellent post on gr. size for Whitetail in the ammo section and seems .30-06 gets great mention. I was also interested in a Browning rifle, what's your opinion on them? Does the Boss really work?

Captain_Obvious · « **Reply #21 on:** September 26, 2005, 02:45:21 PM »

Just one?

gs672 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 26, 2005, 04:03:51 PM »

Medium bore rifles - ever fail with a .30-06?

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=72351

Better?

Savage .250 · « **Reply #23 on:** September 27, 2005, 02:09:15 AM »

With out a doubt, the 30-06.

" The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

bgoldhunter · « **Reply #24 on:** September 27, 2005, 11:53:35 AM »

Quote from: kenscot

I own both and hunt in the same area and when it comes to putting deer down in their tracks my 270 wins hands down

Yup. .270 is my choice for whitetails also. I would have no problem, and would still prefer the .270 over a 30/06 for black bears.

JameyF · « **Reply #25 on:** September 27, 2005, 03:22:53 PM »

Quote from: gs672

Jameyf,
I was also interested in a Browning rifle, what's your opinion on them? Does the Boss really work?

If I only had one word to answer I would say yes. However, I'm not limited to one word so I'll be sure to clarify my position on the BOSS system after using it.

Pro:
With the muzzle break it's a pleasure to shoot from a recoil perspective.
It does affect accuracy in a positive manner.

Cons:
LOUD...LOUD....LOUD.
shorter barrel to make room for it. Browning says no meaningful loss, but I have doubts.
too much to consider for hunting

Overall, if I were using the gun for a bench rifle, it would be ok just for the accuracy. But, then again, I would build a more accurate gun instead of try to "fix" something with BOSS. For a hunting rifle, I can say I would not recommend the BOSS system because there is NO real benefit from it on a 270 or 30'06.

I purchased my A Bolt stainless stalker with BOSS used. I was just starting to hunt/shoot. For ME, it was a great first gun. I was able to use the muzzle break feature to shoot without much recoil. I still notice a flinch once in a while (mainly from the noise WITH hearing protection), but I KNOW it would be much worse if I would have just started with a 270 without a muzzle break. Now that I have 2 deer behind me, I felt like I wanted something a bit nicer. I traded the A Bolt for a Sako 75 stainless synthetic. I can't think of a single thing about the Browning that is as nice (much less nicer) than the Sako.

IF you have the cash for a new Browning with Boss, you should at least take a look at the Sako 75. The Sako is still probably about $200 more, but it is guaranteed a good shooter from the factory. I just received my rifle last week and I haven't gotten to fire it yet, but the gun is much nicer feeling and seems more like what I wanted. Just a couple things that really stands out differently in the two:

A-Bolt you must be off safety to unload. The Sako has a special button to cycle the action WHILE still on safety.

Sako 75 trigger is better and is EASILY adjusted down to 2 pounds. I haven't choosen how light I want to get it yet. The A Bolt is adjustable, but I didn't feel it went as light as the Sako will go. That may or may not be a big factor on a hunting rifle.

The synthetic stock on the Sako is nicer with rubberized grips in the two key areas for holding.

Larger magazine capacity, but that isn't an issue for me

and shouldn't be for anyone with a 270 shooting the daily limit of 2 deer or less where I am.

JameyF · « **Reply #26 on:** September 27, 2005, 04:01:46 PM »

One more thing...Don't get me wrong. I feel the A-Bolt is a fine rifle, and I wouldn't mind owning another in the future. It's just I would not purchase another rifle with a muzzle break or BOSS type system for hunting unless it was a much larger caliber. And, Browning wouldn't be my first or second choice.

I just got the Sako and I'm already thinking of another rifle (maybe a 243). How sad is that? I am unsure if I will get another Sako or go with a used remington and have a local smith do some work on it. I'll answer that question when I find out how much I like the Sako after a hundred rounds or so.

gs672 · « **Reply #27 on:** September 27, 2005, 05:01:42 PM »

Quote from: bgoldhunter

Quote from: kenscot
I own both and hunt in the same area and when it comes to putting deer down in their tracks my 270 wins hands down

Yup. .270 is my choice for whitetails also. I would have no problem, and would still prefer the .270 over a 30/06 for black bears.

Why the .270 over the 30.06?

JameyF,

Thanks for the response. I will look in to the Sako 75 to see if it's within my price range. I usually always go over anyway.

JameyF · « **Reply #28 on:** September 27, 2005, 06:58:45 PM »

The Sako 75 synthetic stainless was $1145 at my local dealer after I beat him up a bit. It comes with scope mounts, but my rifle didn't have them in the box. My local dealer called berettausa, and they are sending them. I should have them this week.

bgoldhunter · « **Reply #29 on:** September 28, 2005, 04:21:45 AM »

My reasoning for .270 over the 30/06 is that the 270 has better velocity, and therefore is flatter shooting. The energy that is gained with the -06 does not amout to enough difference for me to worry about, and the .270 also keeps its energy at longer distances. That's what made me choose it for whitetail, and as I have said, the small difference in energy wouldn't have me worried for black bears.