Choose One: .270 vs. .30-06
Question:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->My perspective is "real" elk cartridges have at least .30 caliber holes >in the end and launch 180 grain PREMIUM bullets at least 2700 fps. That >puts the ‘06 as pretty much absolute minimum, marginally adequate most >of the time. >Smaller can work for sure, but by degrees you give up what shots you can >responsibly take; in other words, as you go smaller, you give up what >you can rely on being successful with even if you deliver your bullet to >point of aim perfectly. Or, said yet differently, smaller cartridge >have fewer and smaller "kill zones", and that dang elk may give you >angles where a bigger cartridge would do the job but a smaller one will >not. >On the other hand, without elk on the menu, and especially given the >varmints you list, a .270 would be better. >Are you sure you can’t afford two guns? A .270 and a .300 mag, or >better yet, a .270 and a .338, is a mighty useful combination. If you >do have to answer the question with one gun, go with the ‘06.
There have been a *lot* of elk killed with cartridges *much* less powerful than either of these choices. There are basically two advantages that the venerable ‘06 has over the 270: 1. It is much more common. You have a better chance of finding/borrowing ammo in a pinch. 2. If you reload, there are very few cartidges in the world that are more versatile. Even if you buy factory ammo, there are very few that offer such a broad choice in performance characteristics. The 270 has one major advantage over the 30-06: – Recoil. Many hunters shoot the 270 better because it is less "flinch inducing". I wouldn’t hesitate to go after any game in North America, even big bears, with either cartridge. Horsepower is no substitute for marksmanship, and a marksman can take just about anything with either cartridge. George Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
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30-06 IS THE ONLY CHOICE, ECSPICALLY IF YOU PLAN ON RELOADING, Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
I shoot a 270 but it is because that was the calibre I had a chance to buy at price I could afford at the time. If I had had a chance to pick the calibre of choice it would have been the 30-06 because of the greater selection of bullet sizes. I think, unless you are going to be shooting a very large amount two rifles is all you need—22-and a 30-06, it is better to stick to one gun and one calibre so you get used to the gun and calibre and what it can do. I shoot everything there is in the Saskatchewan forest and my 270 is big enough. Now if you plan to go to africa or to the mountains for goats at 2000 yds. then you may need something bigger. Size will never replace skill in just about anything! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Okay. I know I’m probably splitting hairs here but if you had to pick one > (I do): .270 or .30-06? Have decided on the Winchester M70 Classic > Featherweight, just ’cause I like it. I’m getting it primarily for western > mule deer, but more shots will probably be taken at coyotes (I’d rather use > .223 for the coyotes but my Ruger bull-bull barrelled squirrel gun is just > too heavy). Am hoping for an antelope tag this year and maybe(?) elk in the > future. A very tall order for sure (I could easily pick the three calibers > I’d like for these jobs) but what is the advice for an all-rounder? > Gawd, who can resist weighing in on this question? There are only > two significant reasons to choose one or the other: > If you get a .270, you can read Jack O’Connor. > If you get a .30-’06, you can shoot armor piercing bullets. > Bob Curry >> Okay. I know I’m probably splitting hairs here but if you had to pick one >> (I do): .270 or .30-06? Have decided on the Winchester M70 Classic >> Featherweight, just ’cause I like it. I’m getting it primarily for western >> mule deer, but more shots will probably be taken at coyotes (I’d rather use >> .223 for the coyotes but my Ruger bull-bull barrelled squirrel gun is just >> too heavy). Am hoping for an antelope tag this year and maybe(?) elk in the >> future. A very tall order for sure (I could easily pick the three calibers >> I’d like for these jobs) but what is the advice for an all-rounder? > My perspective is "real" elk cartridges have at least .30 caliber holes > in the end and launch 180 grain PREMIUM bullets at least 2700 fps. That > puts the ‘06 as pretty much absolute minimum, marginally adequate most > of the time. > Smaller can work for sure, but by degrees you give up what shots you can > responsibly take; in other words, as you go smaller, you give up what > you can rely on being successful with even if you deliver your bullet to > point of aim perfectly. Or, said yet differently, smaller cartridge > have fewer and smaller "kill zones", and that dang elk may give you > angles where a bigger cartridge would do the job but a smaller one will > not. > On the other hand, without elk on the menu, and especially given the > varmints you list, a .270 would be better. > Are you sure you can’t afford two guns? A .270 and a .300 mag, or > better yet, a .270 and a .338, is a mighty useful combination. If you > do have to answer the question with one gun, go with the ‘06. > That’s my opinion, for whatever it’s worth. > Tom > Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: > http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ > Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: > http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
> My perspective is "real" elk cartridges have at least .30 caliber holes > in the end and launch 180 grain PREMIUM bullets at least 2700 fps. That > puts the ‘06 as pretty much absolute minimum, marginally adequate most > of the time.
I’ve always figured that if I get a chance to go after elk, the best load in my 30-06 would be a 165 grain Barnes XBT at 2800 FPS. The X bullet retains 100% of its mass so it should out penetrate a 180 grain Nosler Partition (and most other 180 grain premium bullets). The 165 grain XBT also has a BC of 0.507 compared to 0.474 for the 180 grain Partition, so the 165 grain XBT will have more energy and momentum than the 180 grain Partition at all ranges and will have more mass than the Parition after the first few inches of penetration. Michael Courtney Before you buy. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
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I pick the .270. Both will kill the elk as well as moose and bear, but I feel the 30-06 is too mush for deer and smaller. If you want to use it on long antelopes too the .270 is a hair flatter. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
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Or the 280 Remington (aka 7mm Express). Paul Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
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Okay. I know I’m probably splitting hairs here but if you had to pick one (I do): .270 or .30-06? Have decided on the Winchester M70 Classic Featherweight, just ’cause I like it. I’m getting it primarily for western mule deer, but more shots will probably be taken at coyotes (I’d rather use .223 for the coyotes but my Ruger bull-bull barrelled squirrel gun is just too heavy). Am hoping for an antelope tag this year and maybe(?) elk in the future. A very tall order for sure (I could easily pick the three calibers I’d like for these jobs) but what is the advice for an all-rounder? Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
> Okay. I know I’m probably splitting hairs here but if you had to pick one > (I do): .270 or .30-06? Have decided on the Winchester M70 Classic > Featherweight, just ’cause I like it. I’m getting it primarily for western > mule deer, but more shots will probably be taken at coyotes (I’d rather use > .223 for the coyotes but my Ruger bull-bull barrelled squirrel gun is just > too heavy). Am hoping for an antelope tag this year and maybe(?) elk in the > future. A very tall order for sure (I could easily pick the three calibers > I’d like for these jobs) but what is the advice for an all-rounder?
My perspective is "real" elk cartridges have at least .30 caliber holes in the end and launch 180 grain PREMIUM bullets at least 2700 fps. That puts the ‘06 as pretty much absolute minimum, marginally adequate most of the time. Smaller can work for sure, but by degrees you give up what shots you can responsibly take; in other words, as you go smaller, you give up what you can rely on being successful with even if you deliver your bullet to point of aim perfectly. Or, said yet differently, smaller cartridge have fewer and smaller "kill zones", and that dang elk may give you angles where a bigger cartridge would do the job but a smaller one will not. On the other hand, without elk on the menu, and especially given the varmints you list, a .270 would be better. Are you sure you can’t afford two guns? A .270 and a .300 mag, or better yet, a .270 and a .338, is a mighty useful combination. If you do have to answer the question with one gun, go with the ‘06. That’s my opinion, for whatever it’s worth. Tom Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
for what you want it for 30/06 is the only way to go! Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
the 30 06 is your best bet. ive taken all but one of my deer with my 30 06. the winchester model 70 is a great choice in my opinion. as for the 243, dont even bother. way to small for elk and in my opinion a bit small for deer. the best reason for the 30 06 is the many differnt types of ammo you can use with it. good luck !!!!!! Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
It sounds like elk is a slim possibility. If so I’d pick the .270. Wide variation of bullets for handloading, soft recoil if you shoot a lot at one setting (i.e. prairie rats), a few factory loads for 160 gr bullets that will work for elk and you can go heavier if you load your own. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
>Okay. I know I’m probably splitting hairs here but if you had to pick one >(I do): .270 or .30-06?
This is a dangerous question but most people will say if you can only have one gun for North American big game then you would do quite well with a 30-06 Springfield. Lite — Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
>> Okay. I know I’m probably splitting hairs here but if you had to pick one > (I do): .270 or .30-06? Have decided on the Winchester M70 Classic > Featherweight, just ’cause I like it. I’m getting it primarily for western > mule deer, but more shots will probably be taken at coyotes (I’d
[snip] >Are you sure you can’t afford two guns? A .270 and a .300 mag, or >better yet, a .270 and a .338, is a mighty useful combination. If you >do have to answer the question with one gun, go with the ‘06.
i agree that having two guns is best for ‘all-round’ hunting. something with a little less kick for long range accurate shots on deer and a gun with a little more power for elk. elk are very tough animals and something with a fair bit of energy is reccommended. although, if it came down to having just one gun, it would be the 30 06, no questions about it. cheap and plentiful ammo with a highly versatile range of weights and energys. 55 gr accelerator bullets for coyotes at close ranges, 125 gr for longer distances. 150 or 165 gr for deer, and 180 gr federal high energy ( fabulous shells that push the energy levels up to 3300 ft lbs at the muzzle – right on par with the 300 h&h magnum. ) for elk. opinions are my Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
Both are fine choices. My personal choice would be the .30-06. The bullet choices for the .30-06 are second to none. It can be loaded for lightweight flat trajectory or heavyweight deep penetration depending on the game you are after. The .30-06 may be a bit much for coyotes, but the .270 would be equally adept at smaller animals. The .270 should also be adequate for the heavier game you mention, but I would feel more comfortable with a heavier round. DuckHunt >Okay. I know I’m probably splitting hairs here but if you had to pick one >(I do): .270 or .30-06? Have decided on the Winchester M70 Classic >Featherweight, just ’cause I like it. I’m getting it primarily for western >mule deer, but more shots will probably be taken at coyotes (I’d rather use >.223 for the coyotes but my Ruger bull-bull barrelled squirrel gun is just >too heavy). Am hoping for an antelope tag this year and maybe(?) elk in the >future. A very tall order for sure (I could easily pick the three calibers >I’d like for these jobs) but what is the advice for an all-rounder?
Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
my personal choice is the .270. as luck would have it, i was in the same situation as you a couple of years ago. and after much thought, reasearch, and advise, i chose the ruger mark VII .270. i bought one with the laminated stock and stainless barrel. it is one weather proof gun. i hunt in southern missouri and we never know what the weather is like come opening day. i also took into consideration that i would one day be on an antelope hunt as well as an elk hunt. the .270 is perfect for any of these. i also worked up a hand load for flat shooting at distances. the ruger is on the heavy side, but i love the accuracy and toughness. there you have it for what it is worth. good luck on your final decision * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free! Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
