Marquezj16
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What target? What Range? Just saw this post by a senior member. I think it applies here. What is your intended use?
30-06 or 270
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What target? What Range? Just saw this post by a senior member. I think it applies here. What is your intended use?
Ah, what fun, the .270 VS the 30-06, here we go again. 
First off, I have several rifle in both cartridges. I also have a .280 Rem. and .35 Whelen, all based on the 30-06 case.
The late great Col. Townsend Whelen once said, "The 30-06 is never a mistake." I concur.
The late great Jack O'Connor was asked by Jim Carmichel, who replaced O'Connor when he retired from Outdoor Life as gun editor, "Jack, if you could only have one rifle to hunt all of North America, what cartridge would you choose" Jack immediately replied, The 30-06!" That coming from the .270's greatest fan has to say something.
I've probably used the 30-06 more than anything else in a more than 50 year hunting career using at first 150 gr. bullets as recommended for deer by O'Connor and later going to my now preferred 180 gr. bullets. Contrary to popular opinion, I see no need for pricey premium bullets for deer or even elk. I might think differently if I was hunting in an area where grizzly Bears might hang out but otherwise really don't see the need.
My experience with the .270 on the other hand is ong but thin. I got my first one in 1973, a commercial FN Mauser that has a stock so ugly it would abort a lady crocodile. (Stole that line from O'Connor. Thanks Jack.) it's very lightweight, has a soda straw thin barrel and will put three shots under a nickel all day long. If you mix and match 130 gr. and 150 gr. bullets the group will average right at 1.25".Hey, the price was right. Guy needed money and $75 let me take it home.
I only bought it because the price was right. Total game take was two coyotes and three Mule Deer. Another Commercial FN showed up, a 1951 model that was in great shape and I'd at one time owned the same model in 30-06 and liked it so that one came home. It too was sub-MOA with my handloads. I never shot any game with that one. I never shot any game with my Ruger #1A in .270 as well, but I collect Ruger #1 rifles. One day while cruising a gun show, I spotted a Winchester M70 XTR in .270 with a decent scope on it so after haggling the price to something that wouldn't make my wallet cry I brought that one home. I'm thinking, What in the hell did I buy this one for?" Well, I go to Walmart and pick up a box of Winchester 150 gr. Powere Points and take the new toy to the range. Four 5 shot groups and all were under one inch. 
I tried my pet load in the gun and it too was under an inch. I took that rifle on an antelope hunt back in August of 2009 in New Mexico and one shot, one goat.
I know the 130 gr. bullet is probably the most popular but I don't like the way it mangles good eating meat. Even the 130 gr. Nosler was more destructive than I care for. My pet load uses the 150 gr. Sierra Game King or a Nosler Partition in the same weight over a powder no longer available. Velocity is 2930 FPS. I used the Sierra on my antelope.
Although I've had great results with the .270 and 30-06, this year, if I draw a tag for deer, I'm thinking of using a Winchester M70 Featherweight I have chambered to the 7x57 Mauser. Probably will use the .280 Rem. as back up. I've had them for a while and I figure they might as well earn their keep.
You know? Life really was a lot simpler when the only rifle I owned was a 30-06.
Paul B.
First off, I have several rifle in both cartridges. I also have a .280 Rem. and .35 Whelen, all based on the 30-06 case.
The late great Col. Townsend Whelen once said, "The 30-06 is never a mistake." I concur.
The late great Jack O'Connor was asked by Jim Carmichel, who replaced O'Connor when he retired from Outdoor Life as gun editor, "Jack, if you could only have one rifle to hunt all of North America, what cartridge would you choose" Jack immediately replied, The 30-06!" That coming from the .270's greatest fan has to say something.
I've probably used the 30-06 more than anything else in a more than 50 year hunting career using at first 150 gr. bullets as recommended for deer by O'Connor and later going to my now preferred 180 gr. bullets. Contrary to popular opinion, I see no need for pricey premium bullets for deer or even elk. I might think differently if I was hunting in an area where grizzly Bears might hang out but otherwise really don't see the need.
My experience with the .270 on the other hand is ong but thin. I got my first one in 1973, a commercial FN Mauser that has a stock so ugly it would abort a lady crocodile. (Stole that line from O'Connor. Thanks Jack.) it's very lightweight, has a soda straw thin barrel and will put three shots under a nickel all day long. If you mix and match 130 gr. and 150 gr. bullets the group will average right at 1.25".Hey, the price was right. Guy needed money and $75 let me take it home.
I only bought it because the price was right. Total game take was two coyotes and three Mule Deer. Another Commercial FN showed up, a 1951 model that was in great shape and I'd at one time owned the same model in 30-06 and liked it so that one came home. It too was sub-MOA with my handloads. I never shot any game with that one. I never shot any game with my Ruger #1A in .270 as well, but I collect Ruger #1 rifles. One day while cruising a gun show, I spotted a Winchester M70 XTR in .270 with a decent scope on it so after haggling the price to something that wouldn't make my wallet cry I brought that one home. I'm thinking, What in the hell did I buy this one for?" Well, I go to Walmart and pick up a box of Winchester 150 gr. Powere Points and take the new toy to the range. Four 5 shot groups and all were under one inch. I tried my pet load in the gun and it too was under an inch. I took that rifle on an antelope hunt back in August of 2009 in New Mexico and one shot, one goat. I know the 130 gr. bullet is probably the most popular but I don't like the way it mangles good eating meat. Even the 130 gr. Nosler was more destructive than I care for. My pet load uses the 150 gr. Sierra Game King or a Nosler Partition in the same weight over a powder no longer available. Velocity is 2930 FPS. I used the Sierra on my antelope.
Although I've had great results with the .270 and 30-06, this year, if I draw a tag for deer, I'm thinking of using a Winchester M70 Featherweight I have chambered to the 7x57 Mauser. Probably will use the .280 Rem. as back up. I've had them for a while and I figure they might as well earn their keep.
You know? Life really was a lot simpler when the only rifle I owned was a 30-06.
Paul B.
The truth is either cartridge, with the right ammo, will kill anything in lower 48 states. And so will a .280 Rem, .25-06 Rem, .308 Win. 7-08 Rem, .260 Rem, 8x57, 7x57, 6.5x55, and there are others.
The rifle and scope are more important than the cartridge.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing is the SKILL LEVEL of the rifleman.
The rifle and scope are more important than the cartridge.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing is the SKILL LEVEL of the rifleman.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Have pity on that poor old horse.
I have no doubt that this subject will once again arise like the Phoenix from the ashes. After all, it did this time, for the umpteenth iteration...
I have no doubt that this subject will once again arise like the Phoenix from the ashes. After all, it did this time, for the umpteenth iteration...
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