I still have yet to find ANY manufacturer that has the energy 400 lbs different at 300 yds and most has the 30/06 with more energy

I hunt localy with a .308 and I got my 30/06 as a big game rifle at longer distaces if I ever get the chance. I feel like a .30 cal 180 gr bullet is a better choice for that purpose. In factory loads you will get energy from the 30/06 that dont exist in a factory load for the .270

All info here is correct. Given both rifles shoot the 150 gr the .270 has the upper hand, slightly.

But now instead of using bullets with equal weights, let's look at bullets with equal BC's (or very close anyway). We all know the standard fare for the 270 is 130gr pills. But since the 150's are being referenced here, that's what we;ll look at. And to get a BC close in the '06, we'll go with the 180gr pills.


Per Hodgdon 2000

.270 w/150gr Nos Partition (BC .465) @2800fps-200yd zero
300yds,-7.8' w/1667 ft. lbs.
400yds,-22.5" w/1421 ft. lbs.
500yds,-45" w/1206 ft. lbs.

30-06 w/180gr Partitions (BC .474) @2750 fps 200yd zero
300yds,-8" w/1942ft lbs.
400yds,22.5" w/1658 ft. lbs.
500yds,-47" w/1409 ft. lbs.

Virtually equal in trajectory to 400yds, then the '06 starts shining. The '06 is carrying 200 ft lbs more energy though! Sure the felt recoil will be more, but not much. So which one would I rather have when shooting a goat, elk, moose, muley, at over 500yds? While the difference isn't much at the ranges we've seen, the '06 has the upper hand in energy. And that difference only leans more in the '06's favor.

Again though, either are great guns. Just thought I'd present another way of looking at it. And FYI, I took the max load in this manual for the 270. One under max for the '06. There was one load that showed it running 3000fps for the 180 gr bullet. But I went with one lower max velocity due to improbability. Both test rifles were 24" barrels.


Jay

And just for kicks,I ran the data on the .280 Rem as well

150gr Partition (BC 456) MV 2850 -200yd zero
300yds,-7.5" w/1717ft. lbs.
400yds,-21.5"w/1461 ft. lbs.
500yds,-44"w/1236ft. lbs.

So it's hangin right in there too. Hard to tell which ones better, huh?

Jay

If Remmy would have sold that .280 better back in the day I think it could have been the most popular sporting round ever.

Per my RCBS recoil calculator:

All rifles 8lbs. 11oz. Based on a 58gr powder charge.

The 270 load above would produce 17.52 ft.lbs of recoil @ 11.39fps recoil velocity.

The 280 load above would produce 17.90 ft.lbs of recoil @ 11.51fps recoil velocity.

The '06 load above would produce 21.5 ft.lbs of recoil @ 12.47fps of recoil velocity.

So yeah, the '06 will kick a little more.

The reason I chose to look at it from the BC standpoint is, you can look at trajectories and energy all day long. But the BC plays a huge role. When judging one caliber against another, I feel it is worth considering all the facts.

Comparing bullet weights alone can be considered "apples to apples". But so can comparing BC's, and getting a true gauge of the round's capability.

Funny enough, although we know this already; a 30-06 shooting a 150gr bullet will not kick any harder than a 270 shooting a 150gr bullet (all other things being equal). I ran those numbers through the recoil calculator too. The only deficiency the '06 has in this comparison is the fact it's being handicapped by a lower BC.

Actually, looking at preliminary data, the 280 has them both beat!

Jay

I stand corrected on my own data. i just ran the numbers with the 150 grain Partition running 3000fps from the '06 (as every load in the Hodgdon 2000 manual says it will). Take that for what it's worth. Although I have seen 150gr Sierra Gamekings come out of my Win70 at 3000fps and make one ragged hole in targets (and huge holes in deer).

BC of .387- 200yd zero.

300yds,-7"w/1766ft.lbs
400yds,-21"w/1461ft.lbs
500yds,-42"w/1199ft.lbs

It's suffering slightly on energy. But the trajectory is better than either the 270 or the 280. Things that make you say hmmm? but if you've gotta be a slave to the numbers, the 280 is on top IMO.


Jay

your numbers tend to reflect the numbers I see

that's a good ? I don't know that is why I have two of them I have used them from Texas to Wisconsin,been shooting my ruger since I was 15 and still is my go to gun

This is probably not true---but something not mentioned above is that I have shot many .270 Remington's straight out of the box which were outstanding at the range. It's almost weird-but they grouped well.

I admire and use alot of cartridges, I love only one, the 270. I have had the same Remington 700 since the Christmas of 85. I was 15 and had wanted to move up from the 243, my Grandfather gave it to me and in my eyes it is priceless. It has been used all over the Western U.S. and killed countless animals. I think it is the best deer cartridge made and certainly one of the top 5 all around cartridges. It is all a matter of preference. Im a huge fan of Jack O'Connor, he is the father of the 270, but he also said there are 2 types of hunters that use the 06, those that know nothing and those that know everything. My advice is the 270, but you will not regret either.

I have no problem with either of them. I probably have used the 270 more, but that was just preference. I shoot 150gr win. silver tips in the 06 & 130gr in the 270 and they are both perform well.

I'm really liking everything I'm learning from you guys, and I've decided to to go with the .270 for my next gun. I was under the impression that it was made for less damage on small animals, but the numbers tell a different story.

I thought about the .280 but the 798 doesn't come in that caliber

Does it come in 7mm08? It's the ballistic twin of the 270, uses les powder, and a slightly larger diameter bullet. Honestly, it's my favorite round for whitetail and pigs. Here's a few numbers on it.

150 partition @ 2800fps BC of .456 -200yd zero

300yds,-7.8" w/1651ft.lbs.
400yds,-22.5"w/1403ft.lbs.
500yds,45.5"w/1186ft.lbs.

Recoil; 13.92 ft.lbs. & 10.15 recoil velocity.

It's all over the numbers of the .270 with noticeably less recoil.

Just more food for thought.

Jay

Unfortunatly not. I've had my eye on the 7mm-08 for a while, but I love the action on my bro's 798 and I'm set on getting one

My only choices are 243, 308, 30-06, 270, 223, 7mag, 375 howizter, and 458 howizter.

I could be wrong but I think the last two have a string instead of a trigger

On a side note isn't the 280 the same thing as the remmy 7mm short magnum or something? I read somewhere people were getting 7mm rounds confused

No, the 280's parent case is the 3-06. It is neck down, but is slightly longer than the 270 or '06, so the ammo can't mistakenly be chambered in either rifle.

Ballistics are shy of either the 7wsm, or the 7rm.

I'm waiting on my 280 improved (40 degree shoulder) to get here now. When the shoulder is blown out to 40*, the velocities are just barely of the 7rem mag and the short mag. About the same as the 7rem short ultra mag. Some say the actual differences are negligible in any comparison. I went with it cause it almost rivals the mags, and uses 3/4 the amount of powder. Not to mention longer barrel life, and case life. Plus that, it's just different. But has recently gained actual SAMMI recognition thanks to Nosler making factory/custom ammo and brass for it.


Among the calibers you listed above, my choice would either be the good ol 30-06, the 308, or the 270. But that's me. Any of the listed calibers will get no dispute from a deer. All will die equally dead.

Jay

The .270 is quite simply one of the worlds great big game cartridges. It gives magnum like trajectory with relatively mild recoil while having sufficient clout for larger game like Elk. When compared directly to the .30-06, the .270 has a bit more velocity on target, flatter trajectory, and milder recoil. The .06 will have a bit more bullet weight, a bit more energy, and a bit more recoil. To say one is better than the other is wholly dependent on circumstance. It is much more correct to say one is more ideal for certain scenarios. The .270, loaded optimally will be a bit better for open country hunting of deer/medium size game. The .270 will shoot flatter and arrive on target with a bit more velocity. This is important in open country where range estimation can be a problem so the .270 has a little more margin (in terms of a few inches of trajectory and a couple hundred ft-seconds to ensure bullet expansion). The .30-06 pulls ahead a bit for larger game where it's heavier bullets are a bit less likely to be deflected when encountering heavy bone. For much hunting, this is neither here nor there. Both are devastating on deer/medium game as far as most people can shoot accurately and both will shoot through broadside or angling shots on large game like Elk with tough bullets. When comparing the .270 to other rounds like 7mm-08 and .280, the main advantage is factory load availability. You will find .270/06 ammo anywhere ammo might be sold and that includes gas stations out in the middle of no where. You may or may not find other calibers depending on the region. Interestingly, a lot of the advantage the .270/06 had over each other has been reduced even further with today's bullets/propellents. With today's powders and high energy factory loads, the .30-06 will shoot 3100 fps with high BC 150 grain bullets pushing deep into original .270 factory load territory of 130 gr bullet at 3160 fps. The .270 with tough barnes/nosler/trophy bonded bullets will penetrate more deeply than any 30-06 180-220 gr standard bullet of yester-year and easily break both shoulders of Elk sized critters. I think Jack O'Connor (the patron saint of the .270) summed it up best when asked which he though was best - he said he owned 3 of each and will leave it up to the person asking the question as to wich is better.

Lou

I like the facts stated in this thread, its really good info. The only thing I have trouble understanding is someone buying a .270 because it "kicks less" than a 30-06. That's bogus to me. Put a limb saver on the 30-06 and you wont tell the difference, IMO. For people with kick anxiety, they should look into pads and breaks. The BOSS is a savior in my book. Its the only way I'd shoot my 300 win.

devildog28 it really depends on how far you having to shoot.I hunt whitetail at an average 100-175yds and I shoot a 25-06( In my opion-one of the flatest shooting rounds out there) and my son shoots a 243- we both shoot 100gr bullets and have never had a deer run off. You don't have to over gun the animal if you can shoot. Most guys try and consider a 243 /7-08/ 25-06 a womans gun, but at the end of the day- we have the same amount of game on the ground and my shoulder don't feel the pain near as much, especially at the range. Unless you plan on hunting something larger than Whitetail, I'd put some hard consideration in a 243 or 25-06

.270, .30-06, and .308 are so close when shot with factory ammo. I don't think any animal will be able to tell the difference when they are shot. I have a .308 and a .270. I like the .270, because I can shoot a little lighter bullet faster with less kick then the .30-06. I shoot the .308, because with factory ammo it's only about 80-100 fps slower then the .30-06, but in a much more compact rifle. In my eyes with factory ammo there is not much difference between the .30-06, .270 and .308 to sway on from one to another beside the little less recoil of the lighter bullet shooting .270. or getting to have a short action rifle in the .308. You can't go wrong with any of them!!!