.270 vs. 30.06 looking to buy new gun
- Thread starter Rick Grigg
- Start date
22-rimfire
New member
You didn't mention how old your son is? If he is over 16, I'd say go with the 270. If under 16, I go with the 6mm/243. Should work fine. Have him practice with the rifle a bit. My first deer rifle was a 243 and I shot it quite a bit hunting varmints and deer. The varmints taught me about estimating range and careful aiming.
I'm with Art. There isn't much difference between a 30-06 and a 308 and a 270- but if I were picking a gun to introduce my son to shooting, it would be the 243. No competition. It is enough gun for whitetail and has little recoil. I'd venture to say that it is fun to shoot more than a few times.
We noticed at the range this week that after shooting my 06's we couldn't get through the whole thing without flinching towards the end. The only '06 that seemed tolerable was the Garand, but after shooting with the '06 and switching to the 243, it was easy and fun.
Art gives good advice.
We noticed at the range this week that after shooting my 06's we couldn't get through the whole thing without flinching towards the end. The only '06 that seemed tolerable was the Garand, but after shooting with the '06 and switching to the 243, it was easy and fun.
Art gives good advice.
I have given this much thought also, my son (who is 8) will be wanting a hunting rifle soon. I am looking at 243/410 combo (NEF firearms). For deer the 243 is the caliber for younger shooters (as well as older shooters). This caliber works well. I had a 243 ultra lite NEF that I got rid of, but wished I still had. With the single shot he will not be out "blasting" shots down range, but learns to make that one shot count. Just my thoughts on the issue.
I'm going to muddy the water a little more. The 7mm bullet has the best ballistic coefficient. Several people recommended the .243. It is a fine caliber and very pleasant to shoot, but the light bullet of a .243 delivers less energy that many people like. If you move up a little more to the 7mm-08, you'll get the best of both worlds. The 7mm-08 is flatter shooting than a 30-06, hits much harder than the .243, and has a recoil that is only very slightly more than the .243.
There are some excellent suggestions and good advice. I really am not sure I have much to add other than this.
Low recoil and power delivered down range are almost two mutually exclusive entities.
If you are interested in a gun for your son look at his size, his experience, and his ability to tolerate recoil. Consider the 243, 260 (I really like this round), the 25-06. All are great mainstream rounds with quite moderate recoil. All can deliver the energy to cleanly take deer sized game to responsible ranges. If you don't mind a little exotic the 6.5X55 is a great long range round with moderate recoil. The 7X57 is an excellent round also.
If you are more interested in power delivered down range the 270 is a great choice and IMHO with the 25-06 are great starting points for long range rounds. Other true long range rounds (MPR approaching or exceeding 400 yards) include 257 Weatherby, 270 WSM, 270 Weatherby, 7 Mags of any flavor including (especially the 7 STW), and the varying 30 caliber magnums. None of these are necessary for deer hunting but all allow a great deal of energy to be delivered down range with a flat trajectory.
If I already had a 308 I would look to a 270 next. I love it. However IMHO there really is not much difference between the 270, 280, and the 30-06. All are great rounds for almost all north American game.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Focus on what the kid can handle as to recoil. All this other 250/270/280/308 stuff is irrelevant to the kid's need. Weight of gun is another factor; 8.5 to 9 pounds can get heavy for younger folks--and weight and perceeived reocil are inexorably tied together.
Most shooting is inside 200 yards. Beaucoup "little" cartridges are effective in the more common 100-yards-plus-or-minus-a-smidgen range for Bambi.
I don't think I'd go after elk with my .243, but I might try for Bambi #24 or #25, I disremember exactly..
Most shooting is inside 200 yards. Beaucoup "little" cartridges are effective in the more common 100-yards-plus-or-minus-a-smidgen range for Bambi.
I don't think I'd go after elk with my .243, but I might try for Bambi #24 or #25, I disremember exactly..
Not to harp on it but the recoils will make or break him.
Whatever you decide on for the son remember that any published load can be downloaded with H4895 to as little as 60%-verify on the Hodgdon website. I am assuming you reload or can get someone to do it. Ammo can be uploaded (downloaded less!!) as the young man can handle more. You really dont want to make a flincher out of him.
Whatever you decide on for the son remember that any published load can be downloaded with H4895 to as little as 60%-verify on the Hodgdon website. I am assuming you reload or can get someone to do it. Ammo can be uploaded (downloaded less!!) as the young man can handle more. You really dont want to make a flincher out of him.
Kreyzhorse
New member
I think, as noted several times, that a .270, .308 and 30.06 are ballistically too close to think that there is going to be much difference between the rounds. If you want light recoil, I think that the .243 is your only choice.
I'm guessing you are talking about accelerator ammunition when you say 55 grain out of a .30-06? I've never heard of anyone getting great accuracy out of them, I've never used them. What kind of experience have you had with them? I never figured they were worth the effort.
RedneckFur
New member
If the new rifle is for your son, you cant go wrong with a .243 or 30-30. Both will do a fine job of taking deer out to 150 yards, the ammo wont break your wallet, and the recoil is light. Chances are, when he's not shooting it, you'll be shooting it too 
If you reload this is great advice. I'm a firm believer in starting kids out with .270 or .30-'06 and having them shoot light loads, which produce tolerable recoil. No need to buy a new rifle as they grow up, simply work up to full loads as they are needed, and can be tolerated.
I started both of my sons out on reduced loads of IMR 4064, and everything worked out very well.
The .270 Winchester would be my choice.
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7x57mm
Doyle offered to muddy the waters with the mention of 7mm08.
He is right. It is the better round and the 7x57mm is another good choice.
The 7x57 was a favorite of one of the great Ivory hunters of the last century.
If it can kill a bull elephant it will kill 'most' deer.(haha)
I started with a 243 and moved up to a .270.
the 243, 308 and 7mm08 will kick about the same.
The 270 and 30-06 will kick more but about the same as each other.
I would reccomend the 7mm08 if you want a common round and the 7x57 if you like a exotic nostalgic round.
Doyle offered to muddy the waters with the mention of 7mm08.
He is right. It is the better round and the 7x57mm is another good choice.
The 7x57 was a favorite of one of the great Ivory hunters of the last century.
If it can kill a bull elephant it will kill 'most' deer.(haha)
I started with a 243 and moved up to a .270.
the 243, 308 and 7mm08 will kick about the same.
The 270 and 30-06 will kick more but about the same as each other.
I would reccomend the 7mm08 if you want a common round and the 7x57 if you like a exotic nostalgic round.
FirstFreedom
Moderator
Well yes, and arguably best of all is the .280 remington - nearly the power of a 7mm remmag, but in a standardized/common case, if loaded to its full potential.