But as an elk hunter, I will always compare the 6.5mm 140gr to the 270 cal 150gr. As an elk hunter, I will also compare the 26 inch bbl 264 (if you're gonna run a overbore mag, may as well run the looong bbl) to the 270 22 inch bbl. The weight of the rifles, the recoil, and trajectories.
Yeah, let's compare.. I just ran two factory offerings through the Sierra Infinity-6 program.. The 150 gr Remington .270 vs. the 130 grain Nosler .264WM..
At 400 yards, with 200 yard zero, (just to pick one):
.270 Rem = 872.8 ft/# energy, and drops 27.49 inches
.264WM Nosler = 1375.1 ft/# energy and drops 21.85"
The 270 wins for a serious Rocky Mountain rifle.
In carrying weight only.. The heavier XTR will negate the increased recoil vs. the MT. rifle.. But I do agree that carrying a 5# rifle up/down major hills will be better than dragging a 7# rifle over the same terrain.. But as far as energy/trajectory is concerned, that lovely .264WM wins big..
Now, for your hunting back east, the 264 may be just the ticket.
Casey
It's especially the 'ticket' when shooting beanfield country..
As nearly everyone knows, I'm a bit (well, maybe more than a bit) biased toward the .264.. Just thought I better make that note.. ..
