.270 or 30-06?

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If there were one rifle cartridge in existence it would be something like the 30-06. Given there are so many cartridges in existence I don't even own one. If I could force myself into a more pragmatic self, and go back in time, my first rifle would be a 30-06.
 
I have that same package gun in 270. Excellent accuracy with 150gr bullets.
Will be enough for elk.
I usually use a 30-06 for elk but am planning on using the 270 next year as it is lighter than the -06.
 
Weed Wacker,

Interesting. Years ago Jack O'Connor performed the same experiment with wooden dowels to simulate branches. His conclusion was that no bullet performed dependably in brush. He further stated that the best thing to use in the brush was a gun that could be fired accurately through holes in the brush. Contrary to what is commonly believed, He found that pointed bullets did slightly better than round nose.
 
The 30-06 is available in a wider range of bullet weights than .270.
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If you handload, .277 bullets are available in 90 to 160 gr.

-06 can be had 100 to 220gr. ...... though what exactly a 220 gr bullet would be good for out of an -06, I don't know. Probably at least as useful as the 160 gr RN .277 bullets ...... :D


The one thing a .270WIN does better than a .30-06 is shoot the same weight bullet in a more efficient (flatter shooting) form.

All else being equal, a 150gr .277" bullet will be sleeker than a 150gr .308" bullet ...... there are more efficient bullets for the -06, but they are far heavier,and can not be launched at the same velocities at safe pressures.....

For short range work, there is not enough difference to write about. Stretch the range to 450-500 ...... then the .270 wins.
 
30/06

I like both calibers, if I had only one rifle it would be the 30/06, except for the big bears the 30/06 will do everything required to take large game. With that said bullet placement & bullet performance is the more important elements in taking large game, either caliber will work well if the hunter does his part. The 30/06 has a wider range of bullet weights to select from, plus ammunition is available virtually everywhere you go. Jimbob86 most hunters have no business trying a 450/500 yard shot, the average hunter should restrict his or her shot to 300 yards and in to ensure a quick clean kill.. William
 
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You have made your choice. But my vote goes for the 30-06. I made my choice based on versatility. It will shoot bullets from 110 gr. to 220 gr. It can be loaded 'up' or 'down' to suit your needs. Brass is everywhere (normally). I never regretted the choice.
 
Personally I'd go with the 30-06 all day. I'm with Rifleman on his points. Greatest bullet/load options, greatest energy delivered further out, etc...
 
Although I prefer the .270 for western hunting, if I could only have one rifle for everything on this continent it would be a 30-06. The late Grancel Fitz took every game animal on this continent with a 30-06, and never changed his preference in 30 years.

Jerry
 
I believe O'Coner did the same with a 270 and......

I like the OPs decision process. As good a tie breaker factor as I have read.

Thanks to everyone for your advice! Seeing how there won't be a significant performance difference between the two, I'm going to go with the .270. And the only reason is that my wife has a .270, and I figure I can steal her ammo when she's not looking
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Jimbob86 most hunters have no business trying a 450/500 yard shot, the average hunter should restrict his or her shot to 300 yards and in to ensure a quick clean kill.. William
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So we should settle for 300 because most can't exceed that?

Why limit yourself?

"Most hunters" don't fire more than a box a year...... guess that makes me ...... "exceptional"?
 
An old timer once told me If you have a 25-06 and a 30-06 you probably don't need a 270 win. If you have a 270 win you probably don't need a 25-06 or 30-06
 
My vote will always be for the '06. It does more than the 270. It's a little slower but ironically, in this case the first one across the finish happens to be the first loser!
Don't get me wrong. I know the 270 can accomplish a lot, I'm simply saying that the '06 doesn't have the limitations the 270 does.
 
The 30-06 is better if only by a little. The only real advantage the 270 has is recoil. You can fix that with a little smaller bullet.
 
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