Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 270 or 25-06?

Deciding between a 270 or 25-06 for varmints up to deer/antelope, maybe even a elk! Opinions?

That question is like asking,"who should I ask to dance? Janet Reno or Julia Roberts"?<P>Live large,dance with the Belle of the Ball,the 25-06 is the logical choice........(grin)

Kinda like applles, Red or Yellow delicious?I'd say pick wichever floats your boat. The difference between the 2 is minimal.<P>One tie breaker to me would be do you hand load. The .270 ammo would probably be found a little cheaper, as it is a more copmmon caliber. If you roll your own, I'd go with the 25. A 270 would have better bullet selection for bear or elk, but for varmints and deer, I'd agree with Stick.<BR>7mm

sorry guys the logical choice is the .270, 130 grain bullet and a healthy dose of 4064, the ultimate deer whacker.

Shaping up,to be a GOOD thread........

Hey Big Stick, I have the burning answer to a question that has been nagging you for months. "Did Ralph ever get that 25-06 or .270 in left hand?" Well, I got that 25-06 in left handed, pretty tough to find, but worth it. Two words, "Love it". Loading 120 Hornady's with H-4831, it's a shooter. Maybe tries some 100 grainers next. Anyway great recommendation. I have not been posting much, but reading all the time. Hope all is well. Taurus, regarding which one, 120 grain bullet in 25-06 or 130 grain in 270, same case. I would say not much difference. Best Regards, Ralph in Sunny Cal

Sounds like picking at hairs here, but the .02 difference in diameter doesn't sound like much of a difference. The difference, since Elk and Bears were thrown into the equation is the fact that the .270 has heavier bullets available- 150-160 Grain for the bigger game. I wouldn't feel undergunned with a .270, 130 Nosler Partitions, and a stiff load of H4831 in my .270. I have no experience to draw on, though, since I have other rifles for the purposes, so take my opinion for what it is worth. [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]<BR>Of course, Stick will counter with the Barnes advantage and I wouldn't argue with that at all. Either one will work with the standard caveat- put it in the right place and you will collect venison. I've seen the videos and know it to be true. [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]- Sheister

I agree that there is little difference in potential. <BR> There is a difference in most factory rifles. .25-06 rifles typically come with magnum weight, 24 inch barrels. .270's usually come in 22 inch, sporter weight barrels. .270's are often lighter. <BR> There is a difference in factory ammo. There are lots of super premium loads for the .270, usually in the 140 gr. weight. There is a much narrower selection with the .25-06. <BR> If your a handloader, again, there is very little difference. <BR> If I were making the decision, it would come down to what rifle I liked and it's characteristics. E

Ralph,<P>Congrats on the 25 bore,hope you have great luck with him. I'm more than partial to mine.<P>On a somewhat serious note,I've had 5 seperate 270's that I can distinctly remember. I must confess all were accurate(one exceptionally so) and all killed critters with great satisfaction. That being said,they never impressed me in the manner the 25-06 does. I can't give you some impressive scientific life study,that I've conducted,but would submit that it is much more than a hunch.<P>I'm of the opinion,there isn't a critter alive,the 270 will kill deader than the 25-06,assuming good bullets in both and proper placement. But I will ASSURE you,the 25-06 is 10x more fun to shoot,punishes varmints in a way that must be seen to be believed(thank God for the 75gr V-max!) and packs the whoopasss for the bigger stuff.<P>I consider the 25-06 to be a little 257Wby and THAT is damn high praise. The 270 is in no man's land. It isn't better on the big stuff,isn't as much fun on the little stuff. A 270 usually makes good trading stock and that is what I did with mine(grin).........

270 only might still be to light for elk [img]images/icons/frown.gif" border="0[/img]

270 only might still be to light for elk [img]images/icons/frown.gif" border="0[/img]

Quarter bore!<P>that's my choice.

taurus-split the difference and go for the gusto with a .264 Win Mag! Can't find one? News flash!-Ruger has made a few of them, but not enough to list as a catalog gun. My brother bought one in CO Springs last week, its a stainless MkII with that new (not the boat paddle) synthetic stock. I just have to figure out how to beg, borrow or steal it!....cowdoc.... [img]images/icons/laugh.gif" border="0[/img]

Now fellas all this talk about what is better 25/06 or 270. Well forget all you know about either of them and look long and hard at either the 6.5x55 Swede or the New 260 Rem both are as accurate as they come and shoot that LOOOOONG 6.5 140 gr bullet. This bullet penetrates deep and hard, the way it's supposed to be. Thousands of dead Moose in Sweden and Norway can't be wrong.<P>Bullwnkl.

I've fired one three shot group through a .25-06 and have owned a .270 for the last 15 years and wouldn't say a bad word about either one on a bet! Just as everybody else has said "same, same" Just don't go off and do anything irrational like buying a crusty old .30 caliber and you'll be OK [img]images/icons/laugh.gif" border="0[/img]<P>Mike

Stick, Janet Reno or Julia Roberts? You are a disturbed, speed-crazed (as in bullet speed, heh heh) individual!!<P>Talus<P>Taurus, if you have in mind an individual rifle that you've shouldered/shot and luv it, then that's hard to beat. You won't be sorry.<P>If this is to be the only mid-bore in your arsenal, and you have any respect for conventional wisdom, the .270 is hard to beat. Especially if you throw elk in the mix. Lots of good bullets out there for the non-handloader. If you stuff your own, then that's another story.<P>Still, I won't argue with Stick on the issue [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]

Don't listen to ROTR. Neither one is worth a hoot - get the real '06 (.30) !!<P>(Now where did I put those Nomex boxers ????)<P>Scott

Ralph, if your rifle likes the 120's, try some 117's they are usally awesome.<BR> As far as which is betterwhy not get the 25 and then convince yourself that you need an elk/ bear gun also, just so you'll have all the bases covered ya understand.

Wellllll, I'll have to throw in my vote for the 270. I can use 90 grn pills for varmints, 130 grn for deer & 160 grn Partitions for bigger game. I have no experience with the 25-06, but would probably want a 7mm-08 first. (That dang Stick has me intrigued about the short action 7mm [img]images/icons/crazy.gif" border="0[/img] [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img] ) Ah, heck, get 'em both [img]images/icons/laugh.gif" border="0[/img] badger.

Dang it Stick! Now what am I gonna do with this 270 Mountain Rifle I just picked up? Sheesh, do I have to scrounge up a 25 cal barrel for it? Maybe I'll just rebarrel one of my 300's(don't need two) to 257 Weatherby and call it good.