The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - 270 win vs 30-06 ballistic question

taylorce1 · June 19, 2009, 07:12 AM

A good place to reference cartridges is to go to Federals web site. It is a very simple way to compare ballistics of similar cartridges. I wish they still published the BC of the bullet so stick to like bullets to get an honest comparison.

The simple fact is this is where ballistic coefficients (BC) come into play, is when we start talking about performance at 500 yards and beyond. Most of us who hunt don't have to worry about that as we rarely shoot beyond 200-300 yards where a BC of .100 in a bullet is as good as .500. Really the truth of the matter is as long as the two bullets being used are close in BC they the one that leaves the barrel faster will have the flatter trajectory.

If you compare the .270 Win 130/140 grain to a .30-06 180 grain using bullets of similar construction the .270 Win will be about 10" flatter at 500 yards and usually impact within 100-200 ft lbs of energy. The .30-06 is only slightly faster, with a little more energy but I can tell you at that range you will not tell a difference in terminal performance on game. The 180 grain bullet has the better BC but the initial velocity of the .270 makes up the difference since it is at least 200 fps faster to start.

To match the trajectory of a .270 130/140 grain bullet at 500 yards with a .308 caliber 180 grain bullet you need to step up to a .300 Win Mag. To significantly increase the trajectory and energy at 500 yards you have to step up to a .300 Weatherby or RUM cartridge. The price to meet or beat a .270 Win is a heavier recoiling rifle with more expensive ammunition.

June 19, 2009, 07:12 AM	#4
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,245	A good place to reference cartridges is to go to Federals web site. It is a very simple way to compare ballistics of similar cartridges. I wish they still published the BC of the bullet so stick to like bullets to get an honest comparison. The simple fact is this is where ballistic coefficients (BC) come into play, is when we start talking about performance at 500 yards and beyond. Most of us who hunt don't have to worry about that as we rarely shoot beyond 200-300 yards where a BC of .100 in a bullet is as good as .500. Really the truth of the matter is as long as the two bullets being used are close in BC they the one that leaves the barrel faster will have the flatter trajectory. If you compare the .270 Win 130/140 grain to a .30-06 180 grain using bullets of similar construction the .270 Win will be about 10" flatter at 500 yards and usually impact within 100-200 ft lbs of energy. The .30-06 is only slightly faster, with a little more energy but I can tell you at that range you will not tell a difference in terminal performance on game. The 180 grain bullet has the better BC but the initial velocity of the .270 makes up the difference since it is at least 200 fps faster to start. To match the trajectory of a .270 130/140 grain bullet at 500 yards with a .308 caliber 180 grain bullet you need to step up to a .300 Win Mag. To significantly increase the trajectory and energy at 500 yards you have to step up to a .300 Weatherby or RUM cartridge. The price to meet or beat a .270 Win is a heavier recoiling rifle with more expensive ammunition.