Which Hunting Rifle - .270, .300, .308 or 30/06?

I'll second the Weatherby Vanguard 2, I've got a 270, it's great, but it's got to fit you

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I've hunted with center-fire rifles since 1974. I have .243, .270, 7mm Rem Mag, and .300 Win Mag bolt action rifles. They are all great, but my favorite is definitely my .270. It is enough gun for anything in the lower 48 states and probably Alaska. My .270 is a Remington BDL in an extremely light-weight Brown Precision stock with a Leupold Vari-X III 2.5 x 8 scope. I've never shot a factory cartridge in it; nothing but my own reloads. It is great up to 400 yards; I've never tried a shot further than 400. I have a great Ft. Knox gun safe full of firearms. I'd like to keep them all, but I will NEVER let my .270 go!!!
 
RC20 said:
270 is a great cartridge, but its a lot more bang and boom than it returns.
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The .270 while not my first choice for an all around rifle where you live, has a lot more bite to its bark than many people give it credit for and is suitable for anything that can be hunted in the lower 48.

MarkCO said:
The .30-06 will get you a little more energy out far, say 400 yards. .308 and .270, depending on conditions, bullet and skill, 300 is about the edge.
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With the same bullet type anything the .30-06 can do at 400 yards the .270 can do just as well. If you compare a .270 150 grain bullet to a .30-06 shooting a 180 grain bullet of the same type at 400+ yards the .270 gets there with less drop and less wind adjustment and is only trailing the .30-06 by around 100 ft-lbs of energy. If there is anything I wouldn't shoot with a .270 I wouldn't expect the .30-06 to do a better job and I'd step up to something with even more case capacity and/or bullet size like the .300 or .338 WM.

GeauxTide said:
Most 270s come with 22" barrels and they need 24" to outperform an '06, so be sure to get a 24".
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The .270 will still run with the .30-06 at any range with a .22" barrel as the 50 fps or so you gain with a 24" barrel doesn't amount to a hill of beans in the end. The .270 just does the same thing as a .30-06 with a little less recoil. Putting a properly constructed bullet for caliber in the kill zone matters far more than anything else when it comes down to it, more so than any difference a caliber or cartridge capacity difference is going to make.

I'll also add if you wouldn't use a .308 Win for the shot a .270 or .30-06 isn't going to improve your odds.
 
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If I could only have one hunting rifle for The lower 48 states it would be the .270,25 years ago I would of said 30-06,35 years ago I would of said I'm happy with my 30-30 but not anymore with the ammo available....Just one rifle it would be the .270 plus ammo is easy to get.
 
It's down to splitting hairs between the three standard cartridges. The .300 win Mag adds quite a bit more in either velocity or energy over the others. I would get a standard cartridge if the use is more for deer and the mag if it's more for elk. There are quite a few other cartridges that could be put in with the standard cartridges you listed and end up with pretty much the same results.

If I were getting a one cartridge for all around use, It'd likely be the .300 WSM or the .270 WSM if it was more for deer.

Gun wise, I'd start with the Tikka T3x, Sauer 100 or 101, Browning X-Bolt. I like short bolt throws and they are all 70 degrees or less. They are all quality models that are very accurate out of the box. For a shorter round the X Bolt has the best action length. I also like synthetic models for hunting. Makes hunting more enjoyable not having to worry about scratching a W/B gun.

Scope would be something like a Zeiss HD5 2x10x42mm or 3x15x42mm which would put right near your max budget. For a little less the Zeiss Terra 4x12x42mm or Meopta Meostar 4x12x40mm.
 
Any of the above, I prefer the Ruger 77 or Win. 70 cause they are purty with walnut stocks. Any Leupold scope is suitable. You'll be good to go. My current deer rifles are a Ruger 77 MK II in .270 and a lightweight Win. 70 in .243. There are a lot of good rifles to choose from. Some don't cost a lot of money.
 
The late great Col. Townsend Whelen once said, "The 30-06 is never a mistake."

I'm in agreement with that comment and I have hunted and shot game with all four of the cartridges the OP mentioned. If push came to shove it would be the 30-06 if I could only keep one.
A few years back I did a little experiment comparing the 180 gr. Winchester Powerpoint ammo factory ammo in .308 Winchester and 30-06. From a 22" barrel the .308 was just at 2600 FPS. The 30-06 only about 20 FPS faster. :eek:
I ran some of the 30-06 through a custom rifle with a 24" barrel and a Ruger #1B with a 26" barrel. Only the Ruger came anywhere near giving the advertised 2700 FPS for the 180 gr. bullet. My handloads beat that by a large number for a 22" Remington M700.
Still. if one is hunting in some out of the way place and need to replace lost ammo, the good old 30-06 is most likely one's best bet.
I usually hunt elk with a .35 Whelen but you can bet your last dollar there will be a 30-06 along as back up.
Paul B.
 
Factory loaded 30-'06 ammo is loaded to a lower pressure than the more modern 308 or even the 270 Winchester. This is in deference to an earlier standard for rifles that aren't as strong as the typical 270 or 308 Winchester. There are a lot of experienced handloaders that know they can safely load 30-'06 ammo for a modern bolt-action rifle to the same pressures as the 308 and the velocity will be substantially beyond the reach of the 308. While most folks can match or slightly better factory ammo velocity in other calibers using careful loads, there may not be much to gain safely. So the 30-'06 has the most to gain by handloading, in terms of velocity increase. I'll take the ought-six over the 308 in a good bolt action. But let me have a 270, instead.
 
I can dig all these cartridges, .270 win being my go to cal so far for whitetail. But I also have two 3006 rifles I like to use, and reloading the 3006 is one of my favorite things to do because of all the bullets manufactured for it.
I never owned a .308, but I would I guess if the right rifle came up and bit me.
I use heavy bullets in my .270 and it handles them well, giving me confidence that I could hunt any game pretty much within my max Range of 350 yds.
Now there is no way in hell I'd take my .270 win on a big bear hunt, there Is opt for my 3006 and heavy penetrators, and become super proficient with the rifle and load before I'd even consider putting in for a tag.. Anything else and I have confidence my .270 would be fine...
 
TOYSTRY Join Date: December 25, 2016
Posts: 1 Which Hunting Rifle - .270, .300, .308 or 30/06?
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Looking for a rifle that can pretty much put down any big game in North America (deer, mule, elk, bear).

My budget for the rifle is under $1000.

Also for scopes, my budget is under $1000.

Thanks for the help.
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Oh, If I could only start over from the beginning rifle w/ what I know now!

Starting out, I didn't have anywhere close to that $2000 funds.
I bought a used rifle similar to my buddies and went hunting with them.
I found I really liked both hunting and shooting targets.
Learned to reload ammo for rifles and like that, too.
My hunting and shooting experience's began to expand and vary.

My rookie mistake was selling the rifle I had; To buy another that would be better for my new interest.
When round-n-round selling and buying 1 rifle.
This cycle ended with a purchase of a 12.5 lb scoped target rifle that I would use for competitions
and also long range box stand hunting - I still have that one today.

My break through milestone was when
I added a second purposely built rifle for stalk hunting and just general woods carry around.
Since I've added several more purposely built or restored or customized rifles;
Each one for a specific hunting or shooting need.




So....If I had to start over again:
I'd pick my most frequent/common hunting situation and obtain a rifle purposely for that particular situation.
I'd begin to learn to reload for it.
As a new different need arose, I'd patiently save-up more $$$$ for another purchase and
use this time to study, investigate and plan what/how to get that situation BEST covered.
Over a lifetime, I know following this strategy is the most rewarding.
You'll have a real good rifle to fit each hunting and shooting situation you like.


TOYSTRY, Tell us about your most frequent/common hunting experiences.



PS: Notice, I didn't mention cartridges cause I pick the best rifle 1st.
......The rest just seemed to fall into place when you know reloading.
 
Doing it over, I'd go with a nimble .308 with a modest barrel length. Today the market is flush with modestly priced rifles and glass that will perform admirably. Get one that feels right and you LIKE.

.30 caliber offers the most variety of loaded ammo and handloading components of all. Handload 110 - 120 gr bullets for most stuff at a modest velocity (think managed recoil) and swap bullets for various game (predators to deer). Step up your game for bigger stuff with 150 - 180 grain bullets loaded to the desired performance level and hunt with a rifle you are intimately familiar with.

Or just gitter-done with an off the shelf 150 grain load that shoots like a house afire.
 
We really do need a more realistic hunting profile, where do you live, do you hunt there, what do you hunt, what percentage is that hunting, how likely are you do be after Elks and Moose?

I don't think there is any question that 30-06 is the best all around regardless.

In many ways, unless you hand load its not using its full capability .

R17 particularly in the 168-175 gr bullets can push 3000 FPS safely.

I do think 308 is as prevalent as 06 ammo, we don't have a lot of back words stores to check (actually up here if you don't have it with you, unless a buddy does or a stranger can help out you are SOL - problem is too many boutique rounds that get carried now)

There is a plethora of 308 match for non reload target shooting.

270 type bullets in 30-06 shoot almost as flat at 270 and not enough difference to matter (as will 308).

So I go with the lightest handiest rifle for deer as typical which would be 308. It will also do the rest short of a Grizzly.

Elk depends on the hunting area. I would take a hand loaded 30-06 over pretty much anything there.

35 Whalen is going to have far more rainbow trajectory at long ranges.

As per above, you really have to sort out current needs and the most often and see if it fits in with the occasional.

With 2 grand you could buy two different Savages and they would have ok scopes to start with.

Or buy two bare Savages and buy a couple of good scopes.

I have a Cabella made in Japan (don't' get one made elsewhere) scope I got for under $150 that is my favorites all around. Matches up with a Night Force at 100 yds just fine and the NF cost $1100.
 
"35 Whalen is going to have far more rainbow trajectory at long ranges."

I'm inclined to disagree with you. A properly hand loaded .35 Whelen with a 225 gr. Barnes TSX will have the same trajectory as a factory 30-06 load and hit a heck of a lot harder. I can load that Barnes bullet to 2710 FPS in my custom Mauser and I can assure you that any elk out to 350/400 yards is is serious trouble from that rifle. I shot it a 100, 200 and 300 yards and compared it to a 30-06 at the same ranges and the traction was for all practical purposes identical.
Factory Whelen ammo is somewhat downloaded for the Remington pump and semi-auto rifles. Remingtpm messed that one in the same manner as their .280 Rem. :(
Paul B.
 
I deer n hog hunted 28 years with a 700 in 30-06 as I got older my accuracy suffered.Had to tag a few misses lol.Now 55 yro I felt the need to go less recoil and read reviews on the ever so loved 308 win.Bought a 26' REM SPS Varmint 308 took her to the range with a few VX6 on top and low n behold I'm shooting groups I never seen before.I carried this new cannon to a spike hunt this weekend walked 500 yards from truck to stand with a comfortable padded sling.I will be hunting with the varmint 308 from now on.
 
300 Win Mag. Only because it has a rainbow of 30 cal bullets weights and easy to down load so to accommodate nearly all of the game hunted in the lower 48.

Although I hunt with a 270 yearly. My next preference would be a Winchester 300 Short Mag. But I don't know if the Short Mag is as capable to down load as the 300 Winchester Mag is noted to do. That is a question/ something I would have to follow up before my purchasing.
 
The 3006 is the most popular hunting cartridge in America. It can be found just about anywhere. The 308 is close and it is still in use by the military so it will be around for another hundred years. The difference between the two hit hard with heavier bullets. So, if you're going after big bear I would take the 3006.
The magnums have a slight advantage in velocity but they use a lot more powder and you can't find factory brass for them in small towns. They also come with a lot more recoil. No extra charge... :)
 
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