Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game All-Around Rifle (Sheep, Deer, Elk): 270 Win. or 30-06??

I've taken a lot of game with both calibers and like both. However, if you are talking "all around rifle" the 30-06 wins hands down. The range of bullet weights far exceeds the .270. How much that really means has been the subject of debate for decades.

Of course the .30-06 beats all its derivative cartridges in versatility.

The question was specifically about which one for a lightweight Sauer 202 sheep, goat and deer rifle, with maybe an elk in the future.

IMO (and probably lots of other people's too), there really is not much actual, measurable difference to deliberate about when choosing between the .270 Winchester and .30-06. Pretty much it comes down to you can use 200-220 gr bullets in an '06 but not in the .270. Also, there are some esoteric ballistic differences that are so slight as to be inconsequential. I guess if I was hunting big toothy game, I'd want the biggest bullets. Whether that matters or not I don't know. So for me it comes down to which one you "like" more. It's more about irrational and hard to pin down gut feelings than any actual difference in performance. Most men do not feel comfortable making a choice on this basis. So, we search for any minute difference and exagerate it to make our choice seem more "rational."

Some people think the .270 has "magical qualities." That's as good a reason to pick it over the .30-06 as any I suppose.

yup, a 280AI would be perfect!

woofer

This is a trick question since it is a switch barrel rifle. You must get both. As for the caliber question I have one .270 that shoots 130 grain bullets as more than that would be redundant. I do have four 30-06's though and the bullet selection runs from 110 to 220 grains. I prefer the 165's as an all around bullet weight for all game. The trajectory is the same as a 150 but the energy is the same as the 180 (give or take a smidge).

I vote for a 270 with a 140 grain TSX or 150 grain partition. Of course, I own 3 270's and no 30-06's!

You can count the votes on both sides, and see that there is no clear winner. Both calibers have their fans, and with good reason. In almost every case, I would slightly prefer the 30-06. However, this is a lightweight rifle. You might enjoy a 270, just because it has less recoil.

I think that bullet construction makes more difference than caliber in this case.

Thanks to everyone for the very useful information. You have helped me to clarify my thinking. Considering the very light weight of this rifle and the fact that its primary use will be deer sized game, I have opted to go with the .270 Win.

Thanks again for the advise.


Jordan

I vote 270

But I am prejudice having two 6X6 bulls on mine both dropped with one shot from 250-300 yards. with 150grain nosler partition.

I just got more confident with the 270, it seemed to have a tighter pattern all the time.

I think you made a good choice here(not that my opinion would matter anyway <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />). Fact is I don't think there is a bad choice between the two. I just went through a similar decision and I have had my initial opinion reinforced that you can't go wrong either way. Both are excellent cartridges and you should pick the one that you feel most comfortable about. While I love the '06, I actually solved this dilemma for myself with a .280 AI which is in progress. Just had to be differnent I guess. I don't think it will make any noticeable difference in the field and any would get the job done with the right bullet and fired by a good marksman (both of these are more important than .270 vs. .30-06). Good choice and good luck!

Don't worry about trying to get maximum velocity. 100 fps is insignificant. Try some el cheapo factory loads like the Remington CoreLokt 150s in SPT and RN, Hornady 140s, and the Federal Fusion, then play with some handloads after you find what it likes off the shelf in 130, 140 and 150.

I have three 270s, and one 30.06. BUT, YOU MENTIONED ELK, so I'd advise going with the 30.06. (But the 270 is my favorite caliber and I personally wouldn't hesitate to use one on a big bull).

I'd use the 30 cal. 168 Barnes TSX as I have tons of experience with that load, and it kills just fine. Make it a 150 Aframe, Partition, or TSX for the 270 if you go that route.

OOPS, didn't read your last post before I replied.....270 wins, that's good. The occasional elk will fall to this caliber no problem.

Rob;

If you find something on the smaller-than-brown-bear side of critters that the .270 won't adequately (i.e. before it gets away or gets you) take, please let us know.

Feel free to take a lifetime looking... as it might be required.

My vote is for 30 06.

General advice on calibers or rifles: Think about which one you'd prefer to own and buy that one. That's cheaper than buying something for logical reasons that you'll later regret and have to replace, particularly since it doesn't matter much either way.

Jaywalker