270 or 308 or 30-06
- Thread starter PITBULL
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USSR
Member
Go with the rifle that fits you best. None of those cartridges will kill deer any deader than the other ones will.
Don
Don
gunman42782
Member
Honestly, any of them will do just fine. I prefer .30 caliber, but that is just me, the .270 is a fine cartridge too. But the 30/06 and .308 and the .270 too will handle 99% of any job in North America.
JesseL
Member
critter
Member
.270 shoots A LITTLE flatter.
30-06 is A LITTLE better with when shooting heavy bullets.
.308 is A LITTLE better if you like short action guns.
Ain't a deer walking that can tell the difference! Pick what YOU like.
30-06 is A LITTLE better with when shooting heavy bullets.
.308 is A LITTLE better if you like short action guns.
Ain't a deer walking that can tell the difference! Pick what YOU like.
taylorce1
Member
I can tell you a little about Savage 110's but not the .270 in one. The savage 110 is a decent rifle that is amazingly accurate for the most part. The problem with most of them is the trigger which can be easily replaced with a after market one. They were not always the prettiest rifle in the contest as well but the are a good solid rifle that will serve you well hunting deer.
I like the .270 for hunting deer but I hunt some very open country where 3-400 yard shots are not uncommon. My .270 likes 130 grain bullets like they all pretty much do. I hand load mine to around 3100 fps as this is where I seem to get the best accuracy with the 130 grain bullets. My .270 is an old Parker Hale 1200 rifle and it is probably my favorite to hunt with. It shoots well enough that I will not choose my 7mm Rem Mag over it for hunting anything from pronghorn to elk. My .270 blends moderate recoil with a good trajectory and is accurate enough to keep my confidence high enough to take those long range shots when needed.
Really all of the rifles you are wanting to know about are pretty equal when it comes to shooting bullets needed for deer. I'd go look at a few and find the one that fits you the best regardless of the caliber. If it feels good in your hands and shoulders well for you, buy it and be happy. The deer will not tell the difference between calibers when you shoot it.
I like the .270 for hunting deer but I hunt some very open country where 3-400 yard shots are not uncommon. My .270 likes 130 grain bullets like they all pretty much do. I hand load mine to around 3100 fps as this is where I seem to get the best accuracy with the 130 grain bullets. My .270 is an old Parker Hale 1200 rifle and it is probably my favorite to hunt with. It shoots well enough that I will not choose my 7mm Rem Mag over it for hunting anything from pronghorn to elk. My .270 blends moderate recoil with a good trajectory and is accurate enough to keep my confidence high enough to take those long range shots when needed.
Really all of the rifles you are wanting to know about are pretty equal when it comes to shooting bullets needed for deer. I'd go look at a few and find the one that fits you the best regardless of the caliber. If it feels good in your hands and shoulders well for you, buy it and be happy. The deer will not tell the difference between calibers when you shoot it.
TCB in TN
Member
I have owned and shot all three, and there is VERY little difference in them. Using standard size hunting rounds such as 130 gr in the .270 and 150 in the .308 and 30-06 you will find very little difference in either recoil or trajectory out to 250/300 yards.
Shooting any of the above out of the "same" 8lb rifle will give you a very similar amount of recoil
.270 win 130 gr bullet around 3100 fps about 16 1/2 ft/lbs of energy
30-06 150 gr bullet around 2900 fps about 17 1/2 ft/lbs of energy
.308 150 gr bullet around 2800 fps about 16 ft/lbs of energy
Shooting any of the above out of the "same" 8lb rifle will give you a very similar amount of recoil
.270 win 130 gr bullet around 3100 fps about 16 1/2 ft/lbs of energy
30-06 150 gr bullet around 2900 fps about 17 1/2 ft/lbs of energy
.308 150 gr bullet around 2800 fps about 16 ft/lbs of energy
trigger45
Member
had all three like the .270 the best and its 130gr bullets. just my opinion.
B.D. Turner
Member
Having taken deer with all three I can say go with any of them and you will not go wrong.
TCB in TN
Member
I have had the same experience. The best shooting rifle I have ever owned was a Ruger M77 in .270, but have owned several others that were extremely close the old Browning A bolt 30-06 was a VERY close second, several very good Rem 700's in 30-06, and I have a nice Browning BLR .308 that I just LOVE. Really if deer hunting is your only concern then pull one out of a hat, and enjoy. (Unless you can just find a better deal on a rifle in one of the three cals.) Now if you are going to get into other things such as Long distance target shooting (1000 yards etc) then the .308 or 30-06 will likely be a better choice as you will find a wider range of suitable bullets in the 30 cal than for the .270. Also if you are worried about TSHTF scenerios or just fun plinking, then you need to look seriously at the 30-06 as surplus ammo is still available for decent price.
MCgunner
Member
All great calibers, but I like short action carbines for their handling and light weight in the field. The .308 is the only short action choice. There are other choices, of course, but none of 'em are any better than .308 IMHO until you get to big bears and big short magnums. For deer and hogs, my .308 is about tops.
Shawnee
member
Hi Pitbull...
Will add something to MCGunner's comment about the .308 being a "short-action" caliber. I apologize if you already know this.
The term "short-action" refers to the rifle receiver being slightly shorter - which means the rings that hold the scope can be closer together - which means the scope usually has more room to be moved forward/backward in order to give the shooter good eye relief (the ability to see a full field of vision in the scope. This allows a wider choices of scope types.
The scope-mounting difference may, or may not, be important to you. If you are sort of the beefy, football player build you may appreciate that extra advantage of the short-action calibers. If you are more the lean, mean runnin' machine type it may not make any difference to you.
Good deer calibers based on the .308 case - for example the .243 Win., the 260 Rem. and the 7mm/08 - are the "short-action" types, and all of those are very good for deer.
Calibers based on longer cases (usually the 30/06) are "long-action" calibers. These would include the 25/06, 270 Win., and 280 Rem. which are also more than powerful enough and accurate enough for deer hunting.
Here is a very interesting little piece about the .260 Rem. telling how and why it was developed.
The .260 Remington was introduced in 1997 by Remington as a commercialized wildcat made popular by Jim Carmichael of Outdoor Life. His concept for this round came into being after he had a flinching problem at the 1995 National Match Course at Camp Perry. He wanted a superbly accurate round that offered less recoil and wind deflection than the .308 Win. he was using. He developed 2 rounds. One, based on the .250 Savage case, he called the .260 Bobcat. The other, a .308 case necked down the 6.5mm (.263 in.) he called the 6.5 Panther. He used the Panther at the 1996 Matches with incredible results (1.5 inch groups at 500 yards). Remington took interest in it and released it in 1997 as the .260 Reminton. The factory load for a 140 grn. bullet is 2750 fps from a 24" barrel. But don't let that moderate speed fool you. Because the long 6.5 mm bullet holds it's energy well, it catches up to the faster .270 Win. and .308 Win. by time you reach the 200 yard line. What is it good for? It's ballistic grandfather, the 6.5x55 Mauser has killed all sorts of critters. It was used extensivly by turn of the century hunters on African Elephants. With it's superb sectional density (.289) it penetrates better than all but the heaviest .30 caliber and larger bullets. I feel it fills the same niche as the .270: a superb long range, medium power rifle. The biggest advantage of the .260? It offers performance better than the .270 with the recoil of a .243. Use it for deer, elk or anything.
HTH
Will add something to MCGunner's comment about the .308 being a "short-action" caliber. I apologize if you already know this.
The term "short-action" refers to the rifle receiver being slightly shorter - which means the rings that hold the scope can be closer together - which means the scope usually has more room to be moved forward/backward in order to give the shooter good eye relief (the ability to see a full field of vision in the scope. This allows a wider choices of scope types.
The scope-mounting difference may, or may not, be important to you. If you are sort of the beefy, football player build you may appreciate that extra advantage of the short-action calibers. If you are more the lean, mean runnin' machine type it may not make any difference to you.
Good deer calibers based on the .308 case - for example the .243 Win., the 260 Rem. and the 7mm/08 - are the "short-action" types, and all of those are very good for deer.
Calibers based on longer cases (usually the 30/06) are "long-action" calibers. These would include the 25/06, 270 Win., and 280 Rem. which are also more than powerful enough and accurate enough for deer hunting.
Here is a very interesting little piece about the .260 Rem. telling how and why it was developed.
The .260 Remington was introduced in 1997 by Remington as a commercialized wildcat made popular by Jim Carmichael of Outdoor Life. His concept for this round came into being after he had a flinching problem at the 1995 National Match Course at Camp Perry. He wanted a superbly accurate round that offered less recoil and wind deflection than the .308 Win. he was using. He developed 2 rounds. One, based on the .250 Savage case, he called the .260 Bobcat. The other, a .308 case necked down the 6.5mm (.263 in.) he called the 6.5 Panther. He used the Panther at the 1996 Matches with incredible results (1.5 inch groups at 500 yards). Remington took interest in it and released it in 1997 as the .260 Reminton. The factory load for a 140 grn. bullet is 2750 fps from a 24" barrel. But don't let that moderate speed fool you. Because the long 6.5 mm bullet holds it's energy well, it catches up to the faster .270 Win. and .308 Win. by time you reach the 200 yard line. What is it good for? It's ballistic grandfather, the 6.5x55 Mauser has killed all sorts of critters. It was used extensivly by turn of the century hunters on African Elephants. With it's superb sectional density (.289) it penetrates better than all but the heaviest .30 caliber and larger bullets. I feel it fills the same niche as the .270: a superb long range, medium power rifle. The biggest advantage of the .260? It offers performance better than the .270 with the recoil of a .243. Use it for deer, elk or anything.
HTH
Shawnee
member
"...the ones shot with the .270s looked a whole lot deader."
ROTFLMAO !!
Deadest one I ever saw was shot with a Dell 30/06 at 1199 yds - no scope too !
ROTFLMAO !!
Deadest one I ever saw was shot with a Dell 30/06 at 1199 yds - no scope too !
Running a action when hunting, long or short?
The difference is negligible to say the least. You'll never know the difference, or I should say I don't.
I have/had several in long 30-06, 270, 7 mag, and others, and short in 308, 243, 7mm-08 and more.
When I have one shot in a critter and am running the action to have another handy if needed, never in dozens and dozens of kills have I ever noticed any difference of any kind between action lengths. The action is ran, another shell loaded, and I am ready if need be. It happens automatically, I am unconscious of it, like pushing in the clutch to shift your car, it just happens, and a frcation of an inch one way or the other ain't gonna matter.
As far as mounting a scope extended rings will cure the small amount of difference between the two so your scope can be mounted as you like for eye relief.
All three are good calibers.
The difference is negligible to say the least. You'll never know the difference, or I should say I don't.
I have/had several in long 30-06, 270, 7 mag, and others, and short in 308, 243, 7mm-08 and more.
When I have one shot in a critter and am running the action to have another handy if needed, never in dozens and dozens of kills have I ever noticed any difference of any kind between action lengths. The action is ran, another shell loaded, and I am ready if need be. It happens automatically, I am unconscious of it, like pushing in the clutch to shift your car, it just happens, and a frcation of an inch one way or the other ain't gonna matter.
As far as mounting a scope extended rings will cure the small amount of difference between the two so your scope can be mounted as you like for eye relief.
All three are good calibers.
Shawnee
member
"extended rings will cure the small amount of difference"...
...at no small extra expense, of course.
...at no small extra expense, of course.
I don't think so but why doncha run on over to Midway's web site and take a looksee and let us all know. But Golllieeee what if it is a buck or two when a fella's buying a several hundred dollar rifle and probably hundreds on glass?
Edit:
I looked, shouldn't have wasted my time, I already knew it was very close. Leupolds extended is $7 more than standard, ouch huh?
Last edited:
Elgin47
Member
Not quite this simple, but not a whole lot different than comparing Dodge/Chevy/Ford -
With these three options it's all about location, location, location - as in bullet placement - because terminal ballistics aren't a whole lot different between and among all three.
That said, I prefer .30 bullets for larger, tough-skinned animals like elk - but I've shot a lot of elk with a .270, and a well-placed .270 will be more effective (and humane) than an elk gut-shot with a 30-06.
How's that for equivocating?
With these three options it's all about location, location, location - as in bullet placement - because terminal ballistics aren't a whole lot different between and among all three.
That said, I prefer .30 bullets for larger, tough-skinned animals like elk - but I've shot a lot of elk with a .270, and a well-placed .270 will be more effective (and humane) than an elk gut-shot with a 30-06.
How's that for equivocating?
Shawnee
member
"Leupolds extended is $7 more than standard, ouch huh?"
And if the OP buys a rifle like a Ruger that comes with good rings already - Or if he finds a good deal on a used rifle with a scope already mounted - do you think it's somehow cheap for him to throw them away and go buy new ones, hunh ?
Stunning Logic, that.
And if the OP buys a rifle like a Ruger that comes with good rings already - Or if he finds a good deal on a used rifle with a scope already mounted - do you think it's somehow cheap for him to throw them away and go buy new ones, hunh ?
Stunning Logic, that.
Omnivore
Member
Most deer are terrible ballisticians
.270, .308, or .30-06?
Yes, please. Thank you.
Oh, there's another good one in between the first two-- the 7 mm Remington Express, A.K.A. the .280 Remington. Excellent bullet choice in the 7 mms these days as well. Berger 7 mm VLD bullets have the best B.C. in the business, until you get into the big bore, heavy bullets. This matters not a whit to the deer, either, however.
My son has taken several deer with his .280 and so far, not one of them has had a single complaint regarding the ballistics. He also uses that Ruger M77 MkII in .280 for 400-500 yard target shooting. Same VLD load for hunting and target shooting makes it easy to keep track of the scope settings, but it puts a fist-sized exit hole in the deer.
.270, .308, or .30-06?
Yes, please. Thank you.
Oh, there's another good one in between the first two-- the 7 mm Remington Express, A.K.A. the .280 Remington. Excellent bullet choice in the 7 mms these days as well. Berger 7 mm VLD bullets have the best B.C. in the business, until you get into the big bore, heavy bullets. This matters not a whit to the deer, either, however.
My son has taken several deer with his .280 and so far, not one of them has had a single complaint regarding the ballistics. He also uses that Ruger M77 MkII in .280 for 400-500 yard target shooting. Same VLD load for hunting and target shooting makes it easy to keep track of the scope settings, but it puts a fist-sized exit hole in the deer.
a few more logs to throw on the fire.
Does short action matter to you? If a short action is important, if you like the idea of having to pull the bolt back 1/2 inch less theirfor making it a tiny bit faster, and the overall length of the gun a little less, then of the three 308 is the answer (and then we got to talk about 7mm-08)
If not, cross 308 off your list. 30-06 covers EVERYTHING the 308 does, and then does some more.
So now we get to 270 vs 30-06. This is pitting Elmer Keith vs Jack O'Conner. It is Coke vs Pepsi, Blondes vs Redheads, Black Lingerie vs Red Lingerie...wow, I better stop before I get myself too excited....
<whew>
Okay, as everyone said, .270 or .30-06 will do you just fine. They are nearly identical. Truth is, in ability they overlap greatly, but not completely.
30-06 is a little bit better with the heaviest loads. This means the 30-06 is a little bit better for elk and moose, (and grizzly I suppose, but that is stretching it).
.270 is a little bit better as far as fast flat shooting. This means the .270 is going to be a little bit better for pronghorn, big horn sheep, (and coyote too but that is kinda streching it)
The 30-06 has probably got more margin for a handloader to ring out enhanced performance, and truely there are more variety of 30 cal bullets to set on top of it than any other diameter in the world.
but on the other hand .270s recoil a bit less, making it easier to shoot accurately.
So, on your den wall, aside from deer what looks better, more exotic, which would you be a bit more proud of, a Moosehead or a Bighorn Sheep?
If you said moose, go 30-06, it will cover you for a lifetime for whitetail, muledeer, and elk, and still work for that one hunt you eventually set up to go after moose. If you said Bighorn sheep, get the 270, it will cover you for a lifetime for whitetail, muledeer, and elk, and still work for that one hunt you will eventually set up to go after Bighorn Sheep
Also, I have heard it said that the 270 has got a reputation for accuracy, so manufacturers always pay a bit more attention to 270 rifles than they do to their similar breatheren, as they know they will be scrutinized, and any defects will be blamed on the gun, not on 'inherently less accurate round you got in their buddy' That story could well be bunk, but I'll share it.
Does short action matter to you? If a short action is important, if you like the idea of having to pull the bolt back 1/2 inch less theirfor making it a tiny bit faster, and the overall length of the gun a little less, then of the three 308 is the answer (and then we got to talk about 7mm-08)
If not, cross 308 off your list. 30-06 covers EVERYTHING the 308 does, and then does some more.
So now we get to 270 vs 30-06. This is pitting Elmer Keith vs Jack O'Conner. It is Coke vs Pepsi, Blondes vs Redheads, Black Lingerie vs Red Lingerie...wow, I better stop before I get myself too excited....
<whew>
Okay, as everyone said, .270 or .30-06 will do you just fine. They are nearly identical. Truth is, in ability they overlap greatly, but not completely.
30-06 is a little bit better with the heaviest loads. This means the 30-06 is a little bit better for elk and moose, (and grizzly I suppose, but that is stretching it).
.270 is a little bit better as far as fast flat shooting. This means the .270 is going to be a little bit better for pronghorn, big horn sheep, (and coyote too but that is kinda streching it)
The 30-06 has probably got more margin for a handloader to ring out enhanced performance, and truely there are more variety of 30 cal bullets to set on top of it than any other diameter in the world.
but on the other hand .270s recoil a bit less, making it easier to shoot accurately.
So, on your den wall, aside from deer what looks better, more exotic, which would you be a bit more proud of, a Moosehead or a Bighorn Sheep?
If you said moose, go 30-06, it will cover you for a lifetime for whitetail, muledeer, and elk, and still work for that one hunt you eventually set up to go after moose. If you said Bighorn sheep, get the 270, it will cover you for a lifetime for whitetail, muledeer, and elk, and still work for that one hunt you will eventually set up to go after Bighorn Sheep
Also, I have heard it said that the 270 has got a reputation for accuracy, so manufacturers always pay a bit more attention to 270 rifles than they do to their similar breatheren, as they know they will be scrutinized, and any defects will be blamed on the gun, not on 'inherently less accurate round you got in their buddy' That story could well be bunk, but I'll share it.
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