This will be my one hunting rifle. Will be used mostly for Wisconsin whitetail but would like to know that I could head out west and hunt larger game as I would like to do that at some point. If you want to comment, cool. If not, just vote. Curious to see how this goes. I'm guessing 70/30 in favor of .30-06. Ive got my eyes on a couple Weatherby Mark V's. One is a deluxe in .270 which I prefer the looks of and the other is an Ultralight in .30-06 which I don't like the looks of as much but I do appreciate a lightweight rifle. Again, no need for a flame fest, just want to see primarily how people vote given the situation. Part of me feels that with modern bullet design, technology, and construction, no reason the performance gap hasn't closed a bit between the .270 and -06. The other part of me wants the option of a bigger bullet and a slightly more readily available cartridge with a storied past.
.270 vs .30-06 (POLL)
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Shanghai McCoy
Member
For me, the 30-06 would be the best choice.
Make sure to vote if thats the case.
Choctaw
Member
The .270 will do everything I need. However, I live and hunt in Texas and our critters aren't huge or dangerous.
theotherwaldo
Member
.270 will do for anything in the contiguous United States.
Really a toss up. I faced a similar choice almost 30 years ago and chose the 30-06. I voted same. I chose 30-06 years ago due to ammo availability and weight choices. I believe that is still a consideration although .270 is not hard to find.
I'm much more experienced shooter these days and I reload everything I shoot. I might make a different decision today, but you can't go wrong with either as a general big game rifle fully capable out to 400 yards.
-Jeff
I'm much more experienced shooter these days and I reload everything I shoot. I might make a different decision today, but you can't go wrong with either as a general big game rifle fully capable out to 400 yards.
-Jeff
Lafitte
Member
I vote for 30/06, reason; ammo availability and bullet choices.
Lafitte
Lafitte
.308 Norma
Member
30-06 for me because I'm an all-American, 30 caliber fan.
Kidding aside, I like having the option of using heavier bullets. Although, the truth is I killed just as large of animals (mule deer and elk) with the 270 I used to have before I got my 30-06. However, the other side of the coin is that I've killed those same animals just as far away with my 30-06 regardless of "ballistic coefficient."
So I guess I'm back to "I'm an all-American, 30 caliber fan" as the reason for my choosing a 30-06 over a 270.
Kidding aside, I like having the option of using heavier bullets. Although, the truth is I killed just as large of animals (mule deer and elk) with the 270 I used to have before I got my 30-06. However, the other side of the coin is that I've killed those same animals just as far away with my 30-06 regardless of "ballistic coefficient."
So I guess I'm back to "I'm an all-American, 30 caliber fan" as the reason for my choosing a 30-06 over a 270.
bannockburn
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Have always been a fan of the .30-06, having spent a lot of time with M1903s, M1903A3s, and M1 Garands.
K
Kame B.
Guest
I just got a .270 a couple of years ago and love it. I let a friend of mine pull the trigger and there were nothing but smiles:
When I was a kid, which was before cheap chronographs, all the in print gunwriters were all agog about the 270 Win, 130 grain bullets, and 3000 fps. The 270 Win was so superior to the 30-06 because a 270 Win 130 grain bullet had a much better ballistic coefficient than a 308 130 grain bullet, and the 270 Win could push a 130 grain bullet 3000 fps. Three thousand fps was some sort of magic number. Anything below 3000 fps was beneath contempt.
I have found, in my 270 Win rifles, that mid 2900 fps is about all I can go, before I start blowing primers and have expanded case heads. In fact, my 30-06's can push 130's a little faster than my 270 Win's, before blowing primers. The most accurate bullets in my 270 Win are 150's, but they are slow. I cannot push a 150 grain bullet in the 270 Win as fast as I can in my 308 FN PBR, or my 30-06 M70's. I have looked at my data, I start blowing primers when a 150 grain bullet, in a 270 Win, is moving close to 2800 fps, about 2750 fps is about the topple point.
Now having shot thousands of rounds through my 270 Win's, and tens of thousands through my various 30-06 rifles, I think the 30-06 is a better all around choice, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with a 270 Win. The so called better ballistic coefficient of 270 Win bullets, is not worth bothering about out to 300 yards, and unless you have a range finder, and zero's that you established by shooting at distance, bullet drop for either caliber makes longer distance hits problematic. Recoil between the two with same weight bullets is a wash.
I have buds who have shot most everything with either caliber, I think the 270 Win is at its best with a 130 grain bullet, a properly constructed bullet in either caliber will make a big through hole in white tails, and that is what you really want, more than anything. Both rounds are great on game.
Lest anyone think I dislike the 270 Win, just this month, I received back the action for this pre 64 M70, with its new 270 Win barrel. The original 30-06 feather weight barrel was slow, bullets were about 100 fps slower in my other 30-06's, and that light weight barrel was not as accurate as my standard grade pre 64 M70's. I have always thought a 270 Win and a M70 a classic combination, so, I now have the action with a custom made, 24 1/2" long barrel, 1:10 twist, SAKO finnbear contour. (I am of the opinion that the Green Mountain F34 barrel contour is a copy of the Sako Finnbear contour, and I sent a Green Mountain barrel to the gunsmith as a go by.) It will take me time to inlet the stock and monkey with the bedding, Antarctica might melt before I get around to it, but I should have a real dandy 270 Win when I am all done.
I have found, in my 270 Win rifles, that mid 2900 fps is about all I can go, before I start blowing primers and have expanded case heads. In fact, my 30-06's can push 130's a little faster than my 270 Win's, before blowing primers. The most accurate bullets in my 270 Win are 150's, but they are slow. I cannot push a 150 grain bullet in the 270 Win as fast as I can in my 308 FN PBR, or my 30-06 M70's. I have looked at my data, I start blowing primers when a 150 grain bullet, in a 270 Win, is moving close to 2800 fps, about 2750 fps is about the topple point.
Now having shot thousands of rounds through my 270 Win's, and tens of thousands through my various 30-06 rifles, I think the 30-06 is a better all around choice, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with a 270 Win. The so called better ballistic coefficient of 270 Win bullets, is not worth bothering about out to 300 yards, and unless you have a range finder, and zero's that you established by shooting at distance, bullet drop for either caliber makes longer distance hits problematic. Recoil between the two with same weight bullets is a wash.
I have buds who have shot most everything with either caliber, I think the 270 Win is at its best with a 130 grain bullet, a properly constructed bullet in either caliber will make a big through hole in white tails, and that is what you really want, more than anything. Both rounds are great on game.
Lest anyone think I dislike the 270 Win, just this month, I received back the action for this pre 64 M70, with its new 270 Win barrel. The original 30-06 feather weight barrel was slow, bullets were about 100 fps slower in my other 30-06's, and that light weight barrel was not as accurate as my standard grade pre 64 M70's. I have always thought a 270 Win and a M70 a classic combination, so, I now have the action with a custom made, 24 1/2" long barrel, 1:10 twist, SAKO finnbear contour. (I am of the opinion that the Green Mountain F34 barrel contour is a copy of the Sako Finnbear contour, and I sent a Green Mountain barrel to the gunsmith as a go by.) It will take me time to inlet the stock and monkey with the bedding, Antarctica might melt before I get around to it, but I should have a real dandy 270 Win when I am all done.
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DM~
Member
I'm a BIG fan of the 30-06, because "properly loaded" it's even good for brown bear, can't say the same for the 270 though.
Having said that, IF brown bear/moose and maybe elk aren't being hunted, "properly loaded", one is as good as the other and the 270 will have less recoil with the same S.D. bullets.
DM
Having said that, IF brown bear/moose and maybe elk aren't being hunted, "properly loaded", one is as good as the other and the 270 will have less recoil with the same S.D. bullets.
DM
I've had a couple of .30-06s and they've worked well, but the .270 Win works a bit better for the longish shots I've made from my blind, which allows shooting deer up to 450 yards down a woods road. I gave my favorite .30-06 to my son and he's used it with great results.
The reason I bought the .270 in the first place was because my .22-250 was banned at turkey shoots (won too often) and the .270 with 90 grain light target loads works great for offhand shooting. I won a few times with it, but haven't been back for quite a while. It's not as much fun to shoot, compared with the .22-250 (recently re-barreled to .243. Win). Recently got this Rem 700 CDL, fluted .270 Win. *Taken from the blind described above blind...sporting a Stocky's stock and Timney trigger. This is the .270 Win that killed an 860 lb bull moose last season at 270 yards.
If I hunted in the woods more than open shots, the '06 might be a better choice. I've taken quite a few deer with my old one.
The reason I bought the .270 in the first place was because my .22-250 was banned at turkey shoots (won too often) and the .270 with 90 grain light target loads works great for offhand shooting. I won a few times with it, but haven't been back for quite a while. It's not as much fun to shoot, compared with the .22-250 (recently re-barreled to .243. Win). Recently got this Rem 700 CDL, fluted .270 Win. *Taken from the blind described above blind...sporting a Stocky's stock and Timney trigger. This is the .270 Win that killed an 860 lb bull moose last season at 270 yards.
If I hunted in the woods more than open shots, the '06 might be a better choice. I've taken quite a few deer with my old one.
bassjam
Member
Either are basically overkill on a white tail. Either will take elk, moose, or sheep just fine as well. If I was hunting brown bear I'd probably want a little more than those cartridges has, but that's just me.
I voted .270.
I voted .270.
Don Dayacetah
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I have a good friend who swears by 270. He also swears some, at the store, making an ammo selection.
Garandimal
member
For a lightweight sporter hunting rifle - the .270 WIN.
The 150 gr. Nosler Partition has the same MV/Recoil as the 150 gr. 30-06,
But also has the SD and BC of a 180 gr. 30-06, so it shoots flatter, retains its energy better, and has essentially the same terminal performance w/o the recoil penalty.
In the field, I have used 150 gr. NP, and 140 gr. Barnes TXS, both factory loading and handload, for everything, for decades.
It is Outstanding.
Like the 30-06, too - in a 9.5# M1 Garand.
GR
The 150 gr. Nosler Partition has the same MV/Recoil as the 150 gr. 30-06,
But also has the SD and BC of a 180 gr. 30-06, so it shoots flatter, retains its energy better, and has essentially the same terminal performance w/o the recoil penalty.
In the field, I have used 150 gr. NP, and 140 gr. Barnes TXS, both factory loading and handload, for everything, for decades.
It is Outstanding.
Like the 30-06, too - in a 9.5# M1 Garand.
GR
375supermag
Member
Hi...
My experience between the two cartridges is primarily with the .30/06, but I have shot the .270 now and again.
Don't own a .270, but I do shoot my son's Remington M700 BDL...nice accurate rifle.
I have owned and killed a large number of deer with several different .30/06 rifles over the last five decades.
As Col. Whelan said...the .30/06 is never a mistake.
He knew more about rifles and big game hunting than most of us...it pays to heed the advice of those with copious amounts of experience.
.308 Norma
Member
Yeppers, and I read somewhere that Mr. 270 himself, Jack O'Conner once conceded that the 30-06 is "probably a better all-around choice."
sage5907
Member
I've had both calibers in my gun chest and for the past 35+ years and today I always go hunting or target practicing with a 30-06. The 30-06 is a great cartridge and using it has caused me to loose interest in a 270. At one time I had 3 270 rifles and 1 30-06. Today I have 2 270 rifles and at least 5 30-06 rifles, maybe more. The 30-06 is more versatile than a 270 Winchester because of the large number of bullets and the excellent powders that are available. Loaded with a 150 grain bullet and 57 grains of Re 17 it is an excellent deer and hog cartridge. With 165 and 180 grain bullets it works for larger game as well. I would recommend a rifle with a 22 inch barrel where the rifle and scope combination weighs over 8 pounds. I shoot several game animals each year and a 30-06 is a joy to use.
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adcoch1
Member
I voted 30-06 because 270 is a joke! Just kidding, but I personally don't like the 270 due to my experience shooting them. They seem to have a sharper recoil than the 30-06 rifles I've had my hands on. In a rifle that fits you, either is JUST FINE for the lower 48, but I prefer the 30-06 for bullet selection. I have recommended both to those that don't reload though, but the 7mm-08 is the cartridge I usually recommend for those that want one rifle and aren't invested in another caliber.
Fine Figure of a Man
Member
It won't make any difference to the deer in Wisconsin. If you want the option of heavier bullets 30-06. Lighter bullets and a little flatter shooting then 270.
You can always buy anther rifle if your needs change.
You can always buy anther rifle if your needs change.
sage5907
Member
Many years ago I was an avid Jack O'Connor fan and I also read Elmer Keith. After all these years I realize that Jack O'Connor was wrong about many things, and I should have paid more attention to Elmer Keith. I really like my 338-06 and every time I use it I think of Elmer Keith and how right he was.
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