.270 vs. 30-06 vs. .308

[Slawburger]

I prefer 30-06 and one of my friends prefers .308 (both bolt action). Both effectively kill paper at the range distances available to us. If we could stretch the range a little farther or if the paper was harder to kill then I think the 30-06 would have the advantage.

I like the versatility of loadings and extra power at the high end of the 30-06. During the height of the ammo madness I could still find ammo at the usual places for 30-06, the .308 was a little harder to find.

I think part of it is that younger guys think of the .308 as a military round and older guys think of the 30-06 as a military round. Both are very good, I just think the 30-06 has a slight edge. I don't have much experience with .270.

 

[whitetailbowhunter]

i voted for the .270 because i like the caliber and its trajectory. Im partial to the 7mm Rem Mag. I would suggest adding that caliber choice to your options! The round will take any game, shoots very flat, and comes in a wide range of ammo options

 

[JettaKnight]

Voted -.270 because of trajectory - and that's what I want (as the poll stated).

 

[vedearduff]

Even though the OP is from 2010, I voted .30-06 because of the versitility. With hand loads, it can be used for small game when loaded with a .310 round ball and for Moose with a good 200+ grainer.

 

[T4rdV4rk]

.308. The variety of ammo is unsurpassed. Also, most of the actions for a .308 are shorter, more rigid, which means more accuracy if that is what you are looking for.
The .270's and 30-06's require a long action rifle.

The variety of ammunition is greater for the 30-06. It doesn't have the cross sectional density that the .270 does for the light loads but you can load bullet weights from the low 100's to above 200's.

 

[Slawburger]

Even though the OP is from 2010, I voted .30-06 because of the versitility. With hand loads, it can be used for small game when loaded with a .310 round ball and for Moose with a good 200+ grainer.

Rats, I didn't notice the OP date. I would hope he has made a decision by now.

 

[cgbills]

Have you ever looked into the 6.5mm rifles such as the 260 Remington or 6.5 Creedmoor? They beat a 308 in ballistics and buck the wind much better. Also they mirror a 300WM in trajectory. Also they recoil less than a 308. They are very popular in the tactical match world and F class. I think they are about one of the best all around calibers and will reliably hit out to 1000yrds.

 

[Jerry45Acp]

.308 is everywhere and always available...

This is interesting! This quote from 01-21-2010 was, I believe, the common thoughts on .308 (7.62X51Nato). But, unfortunately, in my little part of the world, 308 and 223 were the first to disappear off the dealer's shelves. 30-06 and 270 were still available for a much longer time.

 

[gunman41mag]

the 270 doesn't have match ammo, the 30-06 is better for hunting cause of the heavier bullets, the 308 has a shorter action & will be a lighter rifle, I like the 308 better than the 30-06

 

[Jeremiah]

flat shooting is a misnomer. a heavy .270 won't cover as much ground as a light .308 in the same time. the heavy target .308's will be slower than a light .270.

 

[Yeah]

The variety of ammunition is greater for the 30-06. It doesn't have the cross sectional density that the .270 does for the light loads but you can load bullet weights from the low 100's to above 200's.

It is safe to ignore any commentary suggesting sectional density or bullet weight having bearing on terminal performance.

 

[Yeah]

They beat a 308 in ballistics and buck the wind much better. Also they mirror a 300WM in trajectory. Also they recoil less than a 308.

Very little doesn't.

Stream pebbles, frisbees, and similar.

 

[Yeah]

flat shooting is a misnomer. a heavy .270 won't cover as much ground as a light .308 in the same time. the heavy target .308's will be slower than a light .270.

That is hilarious. Please detail the heavy and light distinctions above and their relationship to ground covered versus time.

 

[sheltowee]

I voted 270, because thats what I have and i really like it. 30-06 would be a close second.

 

[Harleyrider_50]

i voted for the .270 because i like the caliber and its trajectory. Im partial to the 7mm Rem Mag. I would suggest adding that caliber choice to your options! The round will take any game, shoots very flat, and comes in a wide range of ammo options

Basically a .270 on 'roids,ain't it?.......

 

[Crossbow]

This is interesting! This quote from 01-21-2010 was, I believe, the common thoughts on .308 (7.62X51Nato). But, unfortunately, in my little part of the world, 308 and 223 were the first to disappear off the dealer's shelves. 30-06 and 270 were still available for a much longer time.

The 270 was the only center fire rifle ammo available at my local Wally-World and Rual King for quite a while!
I guess ya'll need to buy a 270, a 30-06, a 308, a 243 and a 7mmMag---just to be sure ya can get ammo when the world goes to heck!

I'm going shoppin'!!

 

[111NMC]

Dont get a .308.
That will leave more ammo for me

 

[Cerberus]

Dont get a .308.
That will leave more ammo for me

I like this answer. I'll take all the crap .308 I can get.

 

[sgreen3]

Id go 308 less recoil than the 30-06 an more factory ammo options over the 270 as well as a little less recoil.