So I was thinking of switching from a .30-06 to a .270 Winchester perhaps and totally stick with the .270 for most of my big game hunting. I'm considering having them both but I mostly shoot at close to mid range, I have no need to shoot 500m etc.. plus the would be less maybe insubstantial but still would be helpful. So yeah ever since reading about Jack O' Connor with his .270 Ive been wanting to get one for my big game hunting; Primarily moose, I won't be going for brown/grizzly though Im capable, mainly moose and black bear are my targets, mostly moose. So yeah if I shoot em in the heart/lungs they'll go down if I do my part..
Might switch hunting cartridges
- Thread starter jabames
- Start date
I hunt with .30-06 because I inherited it, later I picked up a Ruger#1 in .300 win mag instead of one of the 7mms because I was already reloading .30 cal bullets.
My younger brother, however, has hunted with a .270 for longer than either he or I would care to remember . He has made quite a few 400 yard shots with that rifle and I can tell you those deer were just as dead as any I have ever shot with my .30 Belchfire magnum. I have also known a couple of Newfies who shot their yearly moose with a .270. you will be fine with the .270 for anything but the big african stuff.
My younger brother, however, has hunted with a .270 for longer than either he or I would care to remember . He has made quite a few 400 yard shots with that rifle and I can tell you those deer were just as dead as any I have ever shot with my .30 Belchfire magnum. I have also known a couple of Newfies who shot their yearly moose with a .270. you will be fine with the .270 for anything but the big african stuff.
Yeah to me it makes perfect sense the /270, I'm a subsistence hunter, I dont have the funds to go for african game 
and moose is the biggest game I would take. I will probably sell my .30-06 and maybe my 30-30 and stick with a .270 for big game only I feel comfortable with only one gun and that would be enough for me, get a pump action shot gun later for waterfowl though I'm more of a big game hunter than a bird hunter its fun though goin after birds etc. Plus it would probably be better for me if I had to move or somethin, only have 3 firearms well 4 if I count my .45 to transport through airports in gun cases of course.
and moose is the biggest game I would take. I will probably sell my .30-06 and maybe my 30-30 and stick with a .270 for big game only I feel comfortable with only one gun and that would be enough for me, get a pump action shot gun later for waterfowl though I'm more of a big game hunter than a bird hunter its fun though goin after birds etc. Plus it would probably be better for me if I had to move or somethin, only have 3 firearms well 4 if I count my .45 to transport through airports in gun cases of course.In 1925 the difference between the two was substantial. Common 30-06 loads were 180-220 gr round nose bullets and it was considered a better large game chambering. The 270 typically shot 130 gr spitzer bullets and was praised for its flat shooting and as a great deer killer, but not so great on realy large game.
Since then bullet technology and loadings have changed so much that there is no real world dfference between the two. A 150 gr 30-06 bullet can now be fired at near 3100 fps and all but match a 130 gr 270 bullet fired at the same speed in trajectory. A 150-160 gr premium bullet fired from a 270 will match a 30-06 180-200 gr bullet in performance on larger game. There is nothing on the planet I'd hunt in 2012 with one, and not the other.
If you are just looking for an excuse to buy a 270 then buy one, but from a practial point of view it makes little sense to own both. If I owned one I that I liked, I wouldn't trade for the other.
Since then bullet technology and loadings have changed so much that there is no real world dfference between the two. A 150 gr 30-06 bullet can now be fired at near 3100 fps and all but match a 130 gr 270 bullet fired at the same speed in trajectory. A 150-160 gr premium bullet fired from a 270 will match a 30-06 180-200 gr bullet in performance on larger game. There is nothing on the planet I'd hunt in 2012 with one, and not the other.
If you are just looking for an excuse to buy a 270 then buy one, but from a practial point of view it makes little sense to own both. If I owned one I that I liked, I wouldn't trade for the other.
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
jmr40 said:
^^^^This!
The more I see, the more I am convinced that the vast majority of hunters are severely over-gunned and suffer from commercially induced magnumitis.
I know guys who won't hunt deer with anything "smaller" than a 7mm Mag, even 300 Win Mag.
Guys who think they need a 338WinMag for elk.
It's just asinine.
Check out this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY0w1c-gf18
I've seen what 243, 270, 7-08 and similar cartridges do on deer. I've heard from lots of guys about hunting all kinds of animals with .270/7-08 level cartridges and on down. Bear, moose, elk, buffalo, all kinds of things.
Accuracy matters, power doesn't. So long as you can reach both lungs, nothing else matters. Some guys like exit wounds, some don't. An animal that can't breathe will be dead soon enough to not matter most of the time.
.270, with proper bullet selection, is plenty enough for anything in North America if you do your part. 50BMG isn't enough if you don't.
I'm switching after a few years of using a Savage 110 in .243 to a Rossi Circuit Judge in .45 Colt. I like the Rossi because the sights, the gun fits me perfect and I'm not a small guy. I'm also tired of scopes. Fog, rain, or darkness can make a bad day. Also makes me more worried about bumps and setting on the ground. Plus my .243's scope's crosshairs won't stay put now. Scopes do make those far shots possible, but they also can take more time to use. Try finding a running deer in the woods with a scope, then try with sights. My Savage .243 doesn't have sights. So my Rossi Circuit Judge is my next choice. .45 colt and open sights don't exactly scream long range, but I'm wanting a close range rifle. It's also light and shorter than most guns. It just seems like the right choice.