.270?

[M&PVolk]

Anyone using the .270 as an all around cartridge? I know the best all around hunting cartridge title typically goes to the 30-06, but there seems to be a group of .270 fans that believe it is as good or better than the 30-06 on everything all the way up to elk. I really have never felt anything bigger than a 30-06 was really necessary for hunting, but I never really gave the .270 much of a thought. Anyone here still use it as their primary gun for elk and other big game? If so, why?

 

[aka108]

I shoot 30-06 but like you, many people I shoot with swear by the 270 as the best all around cartridge. I think it is simply a matter of what you may have started out with. Ask a Swede and he'll tell you their 6.5 is good for anything that walks.

 

[Eb1]

I say the .270 is as good as any other High Power caliber for an all around cartridge. I do not shoot one, but you can't argue with the facts. It is a good cartridge.

 

[mljdeckard]

For all intents and purposes, they have the same effectiveness, but the .270 has a bit less recoil. (Not so much that the '06 isn't the same or close, depending on the rifle.) I usually use the .270, and I can load lighter bullets if I want to use it for varminting, but if I want to use heavier bullets for longer shots on the biggest game, I would probably use the '06 with 180s or 200s.

But the vast majority of the time, with the vast majority of shooters, there is little difference if any.

 

[rugerman]

My favorite is my ruger #1 270, its always been my favorite, if its better than a 30.06 or not is open to debate. They both use the same parent case , the recoil with the same weight bullet is equal, accuracy is a matter of the individual gun and the ammo it likes and the shooter. The 06 has more bullet choices as far as weight goes. And both will kill whatever you hit if your bullet placement is correct. BEauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[groundhog34]

There is really no difference worth arguing about between the :308, 30-06 and .270.

 

[joed]

I'm a big .270 fan even though I don't own one. I tried to buy my first rifle in .270 which wasn't available, but .25-06 was. Also don't see to many guns in .270 for sale in my area. But, if I come across one it will sit next to my .25.

 

[jaimeshawn3]

My daughter uses one. Works on deer & elk. I reload for her, so ammo availability isn't an issue. Good cartridge.

 

[oldrevolverguy]

There is a very fine line for me between the recoil of the 130 grain 270 and the 150 grain 30'06 rounds. For me, I can shoot the 270/130s all day (same for 150 grain 308) but the 30'06/150+ wears on me fairly quickly. I love the near magnum performance of the 270 with its higher ballistic coefficient and resultant flat trajectory. My 270 has killed everything I have aimed at with one shot. The whitetail react to the impact of the Federal Premium 130 grain Sierra Gameking bullet as if struck by the hammer of Thor. I can also hand this rifle to less experienced shooters knowing that the recoil will not brutalize them. For Elk size game I have a quantity of Federal Premium 140 Grain Trophy Bonded Bearclaw. At 3000FPS at the muzzle and its special design for excellent penetration it is ideal for anything in the Elk/Moose class of animals. I have absolute confidence in my 270. It has never let me down. I know there are plenty of people who feel the same way about their chosen do-everything big game rifle be it 7MM Mag, 30-06 or one of the 300 Magnums. I grew up reading Jack OConnor who felt the 270 was the best thing since buttons on a shirt. So far I have seen no evidence to the contrary.

Your mileage may vary. Happy hunting.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

.270...fine cartridge

I like the .30-06 shell case...good things come from it. I've got two .30-06 rifles and the '06 is an awesome cartridge.

I like the fact that the .270 and .35 Whelen use the .30-06 shell case. It makes life simple as I also have .270 and .35 Whelen rifles.

My favorite for whitetail deer hunting is the .270. I just like the way it does things.

 

[NCsmitty]

The 270 Winchester was introduced in 1925 and it performance is legendary, and it has a large following. Most rounds based on the venerable '06 case offer good performance for most cloven hoofed variations when used with good bullet selection, and most people can shoot them fairly well.
I have one myself, but I don't shoot it as much as I should because of my fascination with the 6.5x55, speaking of legends.


NCsmitty

 

[Frozen North]

One of the most difficult decisions one can make.... .270 vs 30-06. There is no wrong answer. The list of benefits for either caliber is as long as your arm, and the list of disadvantages is remarkably short. The decision for me rests on the rifle it may be chambered in. If there are identical rifles for the same price, I may leave the store with both.

.270 AND 30-06 are my first choice for deer.

I would enter the .308 in the race, but I really don't need another perfect choice.

 

[jhnrckr]

.270 is plenty enough to knock down big deer but the exit wound and blood trail can be an issue if you get a marginal shot. I would suggest a premium bullet with massive expansion for insurance. I am sold on ballistic silvertips.

 

[M&PVolk]

Deer would be secondary for me, as I prefer elk meat to vennison. All of my friends have moved to 7mm or bigger for elk and don't believe the .270 is enough. I have always felt the 30-06 was sufficient, and it sounds like the .270 should be good, too.

Any recomendations on max distances and bullet weights for elk?

 

[Matthew Courtney]

Barnes TTSX 130 grain

Distances limited by wind and the shooters ability to estimate range annd reliably get good hits, in no case over 600-700 yards.