Rifle in 270 and/or 30-06

[peacemaker45]

As a fellow lefty, I just went through a similar quest. If you haven't seen it yet, I wrote up some of the guns I looked at while shopping, and what I thought of them.

Here

In the end, I went with a Rem 700 in .30-06. Partly on the strength of the 700 action, and parts for same being so ubiquitous, partly on the basis of a really excellent stock fit from the BDL, and partly because it was pretty.

You don't seem to be much interested in pretty, having picked a selection of all-weather models. That being the case, I'd rank the 700 as about a tie with the Savage. Between the two, pick whichever fits you best. The Tikka, though is about a light year ahead of a basic 700, or any of the Savages I tried.

I didn't get to try the Ruger, so I can't comment on it.

 

[peacemaker45]

I forgot to mention caliber. I picked .30-06 both for its extremely widespread availability, and its great versatility. It's more than enough for deer, great on elk and black bear, and good enough for moose and the big bears. The .270 is a great long range deer round, but is controversial on elk, and borderline or below on the bigger animals.

 

[cmdc]

Mat, I did read your thread earlier today. It was very informative and well-written.

After reading everyone's comments, I can see that the 30-06 has the most versatility when it comes to game that is elk-size and up.

 

[Kachok]

The 30-06 is one of those rare gems that has enough capacity to be highly versatile with a wide array of bullet weights, not so overbore as to give you excessive recoil, barrel burn or muzzle blast, and has that X factor that makes it so very flexible/accurate with a wide array of bullets and powders. Other cartridges do great with one or two bullet weights (130gr 270 Win or 115gr 257 Wby for example) but the 06 shines with everything, sure the 308 might get 1/16th inches better grouping at 400 yards with 175gr SMKs, but you be sure to call me when that 308 can knock a moose down with a 240gr Weldcore from 300 yards out

 

[peacemaker45]

Mat, I did read your thread earlier today. It was very informative and well-written.

After reading everyone's comments, I can see that the 30-06 has the most versatility when it comes to game that is elk-size and up.

Thanks for the kind words, cmdc. I figure if anyone else can benefit from my OCD researching, then I shan't have done it in vain.

 

[savanahsdad]

I have a 7mm-08 great deer gun and it's a Savage , I also have three 270's and a 308 , I'm not a 30/06 fan , I'd go with a Savage in 270win ,not much more kick than your 7mm-08 but you can shoot a 140gr or 150gr faster and flater with the 270win than you can with your 7mm-08, giveing you more range,and with the new ammo out there for the 308win. you are so close to the 30-06 (with in 100fps) , the only up side to the 30-06 is with 180gr or 200gr bullets, and if you feel you need the bigger bullets , you should be looking at a mag, like a WSM my line-up goes from 7mm-08 to 308win to 270win to 7mmWSM, and the 7mmWSM will punch a clean hole thruogh a 1/2" steel plate at just over 100 yards, and one of my family members had a 30-06 , and we tried my 308 and 7mm-08 they only made a nice dent , his 30-06 was = too my 308win,

 

[cmdc]

I had actually thought of one of the short magnums. Kachok really likes his 270WSM. In regard to ammo, what is some of the new stuff you are talking about?

 

[Scrumbag]

My choice would be .30-06 Ruger or Tikka. (But to be honest, no .270/30-06 x Ruger/Tikka Savage combo will be a bag thing).


I like Mauser type actions so Ruger wins out for me but I have shot various Tikkas over the years and been impressed.

.30-06 just for the bullet weight flexibility and given we are trying to kill something when we hunt, a heavier bullet and larger hole is rarely the wrong answer.

Whatever you choose, enjoy your shooting!

Scrummy

 

[savanahsdad]

I had actually thought of one of the short magnums. Kachok really likes his 270WSM. In regard to ammo, what is some of the new stuff you are talking about?

Hornady Superformance, is one of the new ones out there for the 308 that realy closes the 30-06 / 308 win. gap ,
my 7mmWSM kind of just fell in my lap, for $350, I was looking for a 270WSM but could not pass up a high gloss Savage mod 11 in 7mmWSM with two boxes of ammo and some brass for $350.

 

[cmdc]

You sir, are a lucky dog. And I mean that in the sincerest possible way. That kind of stuff NEVER happens to me.

And thanks for the ammo info.

 

[Kachok]

I cannot speak for the Ruger seeing as I have never owned one, but I do like Mauser style CRF actions, I have a near identical action on my (FN) Winchester 70 Featherweight, I do prefer the controlled round feed to push feed in general, but my Tikka is so darn accurate with darn near everything it holds the place of honor in the gun safe. Not that my Model 70 is inacurate or anything, any featherweight rifle that pulls regular 1/2" groups with cheap 150gr hunting bullets and Varget is FINE with me

 

[itsa pain]

308 can't shoot the heavy bullets as fast but a good 180 grain 308 is plenty of pill for an elk.

c-grunt in my .308 with 24" barrel I can push a nosler 165 almost 2900 fps . it will fly as flat as a 180 in a 300 win mag and penetration is measured in feet not inches

 

[bailer]

They make the super performance in 06 too, so not sure its closing the .308 gap. My Tikka didn't really like the super performance only shot .8". God I love that rifle.

My Tikka super light does have a lot of recoil. I come home from the range with a pretty good bruise on the shoulder. Don't recall any recoil from the shot on my mule deer last year though. At 7lb scoped it was nice to carry.

 

[Kachok]

Anytime 0.8" groups are your BAD load you have one hellava rifle. My T3 Stainless will do 0.75" all day long with the cheapest factory fodder I can find, I don't know what kind of sick Voodoo they used on those rifle but I am loving every second of it!
The Wincester is close though, I get solid 1" groups with regular ol 150gr Core-Lokts and handloads easily cut that in half, I do not feel handicapped at all hunting with it.

 

[cmdc]

Boys, boys, boys, you're really making me salivate for the Tikka I just ordered. I can't wait to get it, put a Limbsaver and a scope on it and see how it shoots.

 

[cmdc]

Does Tikka still use one action length for all of their chamberings? It was my understanding that they were using a long action for all of their calibers.

 

[Kachok]

Kinna, they have one bolt length and use a bump stop to make short actions.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

I'm a fan of Rem, Savage, Winny, Ruger and Sako/Tikka. As far as a Savage 116, I have one in .30-06...it's a good shooter.

100 yards, 3 shot group



When I shoot this barrel out (hard to do with a .30-06 as they can go 5,000-10,000 rounds), it will become a .280 Rem with plain or Ackley Improved.

Good hunting,

FH

 

[cmdc]

Gotcha. So that shortens the bolt throw?

 

[cmdc]

Flatbush, that is awesome.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

Hornady Superformance, is one of the new ones out there for the 308 that realy closes the 30-06 / 308 win. gap ,
my 7mmWSM kind of just fell in my lap, for $350, I was looking for a 270WSM but could not pass up a high gloss Savage mod 11 in 7mmWSM with two boxes of ammo and some brass for $350.

Superperformance in .308 Win is tremendous. I tried some match loads with 178gr A-MAXs last week...5-shot 0.42" group at 100 yards out of a Rem 700 5R. Box says 2,775 fps and I'll chromo it out of my target rifles (24" and 26" bbls) next week or so.

FH

 

[jim243]

Personal choice, unless you are hunting Moose or Grizzly the 270 is more than enough.

Jim

 

[savanahsdad]

Boys, boys, boys, you're really making me salivate for the Tikka I just ordered. I can't wait to get it, put a Limbsaver and a scope on it and see how it shoots.

so what cal. did you go with ?

 

[rayatphonix]

cmdc, I have several older Tikkas. 30-06, 280, 270, 25-06 in long action. 30-06 definitely kicks more than the 270 and 25-06. As I get older the 30-06 has become the one I'm least likely to hunt with here I the eastern US. In either caliber, you'll enjoy your new rifle.

 

[Sun Tzu warrior]

I have taken deer with both rounds, both Remingtom model 700. I prefer the 30.06, because of the versitility of the round. however my primary rifle is .270 because I loaded up on re-loading supplies for .270 when clinton was potus,
I have enough to supply my great great great great grand children with .270 ammo. the pics tell the story.