Tom: I hate numbers games but,like most 7/08 users who proclaim it the 270's equal,you play with the facts.You've got maybe one "trick" bullet for the 7/08 that will do that and theoretically provide the on-game performance. I say "theoretically" because I have not yet swallowed the Barnes X Kool-Aid,but I will play your game
So here goes:
Latest Barnes manual lists the following MAX velocities for the 7/08 from a 24" Barrel and 120 TSX.(I don't know who offers a 24" barreled 7/08): 3047,3051,3031,2993,3025,3106,3010,3081,3070,3132.Based on my personal experience with the 7/08,you're unlikely to hit those numbers from a 22" barrel,the typical length.
If you want to talk a 140,one load goes over 2850.
Since you get to use the Barnes "trick bullet", so do I,110-270.The Barnes manual shows,for the 270 Winchester,same 24" barrel: 3452,3494,3501,3460,3430,3524.
I don't know what you call a 392 fps(given the best of each) advantage,but I call it "significant".
Even giving the 7/08 the "trick bullet" and looking at the 270 with a 130, the Barnes manual shows:3150,3152,3156,3133,3172,3211.Again, a solid advantage of the 270 over the trick bullet for the 7/08.And,again with 140 gr for the 7/08, no load hits even 2900.Every load for the 270-140 is over 3000.
At any distance to,say 500 yards the 270 will just shoot flatter,and just goes faster.It does this because the 270 HOLDS MORE POWDER, a little trick that 7/08 fanciers ignore to argue their "toy" is equal; it is not.
My own work with both cartridges bears this out.I have owned and loaded for maybe 7-8 7/08's.Most were hard-pressed to hit 2850 with 140's;none hit 2900.Most of the 25-30(it could easily be more, I am just not sure anymore) 270's I have loaded for over the years very handily hit 3100 or better with a 130 from 22" barrels.I have shot both out to 400 and 500 yards;at 300 the 270 is already leaving the 7/08 behind. The 270 just shoots flatter and is easier to hit with at 300 and beyond.
I know what you're you're going to say;today we have "dotz" so everything is equal. Sorry, but dotz don't count;we have always had dotz or some other reticle assist.I don't know what dotz have to do with speed;dotz do not make cartridges go faster.A 270 requires no dotz to at least 400;I know;been there,done that.At 500,some frame of reference is useful but not required.I have done enough shooting with the 7/08 to know it does not merit serious consideration as an open country cartridge in the class of the 270. Smarter guys than us have come to the same conclusion.
Like many who proclaim their "pet" of lesser capacity goes as fast as a cartridge of larger capacity,many 7/08 advocates stoop to playing with facts, or loading to higher pressures, etc. This game is very old,and some of us are not so easily fooled.The 7/08 has been around in its' own form, or another(7x57)for many years. Neither(both capable cartridges,don't get me wrong) has ever come within photo finish distance of the 270 and never will,because for every "trick" they can pull from their hats for the 7/08 or 7x57,another can be "pulled" out for the 270,and neither case holds as much powder as the 270.There is a very definite reason why the 270 is THE most popular,best selling long-range,open country cartridge to ever be produced,with the possible exception of the 7mm Rem Mag.
You cannot get around the fact that the 270 holds more powder,goes faster with any equivilent bullet at the SAME PRESSURES,and shoots flatter in the bargain.Just facts; just ballistics.
