.270 vs. 30.06 looking to buy new gun - Page 2

JKump · November 1, 2007, 07:32 AM

I have given this much thought also, my son (who is 8) will be wanting a hunting rifle soon. I am looking at 243/410 combo (NEF firearms). For deer the 243 is the caliber for younger shooters (as well as older shooters). This caliber works well. I had a 243 ultra lite NEF that I got rid of, but wished I still had. With the single shot he will not be out "blasting" shots down range, but learns to make that one shot count. Just my thoughts on the issue.

Doyle · November 1, 2007, 07:36 AM

I'm going to muddy the water a little more. The 7mm bullet has the best ballistic coefficient. Several people recommended the .243. It is a fine caliber and very pleasant to shoot, but the light bullet of a .243 delivers less energy that many people like. If you move up a little more to the 7mm-08, you'll get the best of both worlds. The 7mm-08 is flatter shooting than a 30-06, hits much harder than the .243, and has a recoil that is only very slightly more than the .243.

Charles S · November 1, 2007, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Was really looking hard at an 06 but after doing some research on power delivered down range, I am leaning toward a .270.
My son is also just starting to hunt and recoil is a small consideration.

There are some excellent suggestions and good advice. I really am not sure I have much to add other than this.

Low recoil and power delivered down range are almost two mutually exclusive entities.

If you are interested in a gun for your son look at his size, his experience, and his ability to tolerate recoil. Consider the 243, 260 (I really like this round), the 25-06. All are great mainstream rounds with quite moderate recoil. All can deliver the energy to cleanly take deer sized game to responsible ranges. If you don't mind a little exotic the 6.5X55 is a great long range round with moderate recoil. The 7X57 is an excellent round also.

If you are more interested in power delivered down range the 270 is a great choice and IMHO with the 25-06 are great starting points for long range rounds. Other true long range rounds (MPR approaching or exceeding 400 yards) include 257 Weatherby, 270 WSM, 270 Weatherby, 7 Mags of any flavor including (especially the 7 STW), and the varying 30 caliber magnums. None of these are necessary for deer hunting but all allow a great deal of energy to be delivered down range with a flat trajectory.

If I already had a 308 I would look to a 270 next. I love it. However IMHO there really is not much difference between the 270, 280, and the 30-06. All are great rounds for almost all north American game.

Art Eatman · November 1, 2007, 10:27 AM

Focus on what the kid can handle as to recoil. All this other 250/270/280/308 stuff is irrelevant to the kid's need. Weight of gun is another factor; 8.5 to 9 pounds can get heavy for younger folks--and weight and perceeived reocil are inexorably tied together.

Most shooting is inside 200 yards. Beaucoup "little" cartridges are effective in the more common 100-yards-plus-or-minus-a-smidgen range for Bambi.

I don't think I'd go after elk with my .243, but I might try for Bambi #24 or #25, I disremember exactly..

langenc · November 1, 2007, 09:19 PM

Not to harp on it but the recoils will make or break him.

Whatever you decide on for the son remember that any published load can be downloaded with H4895 to as little as 60%-verify on the Hodgdon website. I am assuming you reload or can get someone to do it. Ammo can be uploaded (downloaded less!!) as the young man can handle more. You really dont want to make a flincher out of him.

jaymag · November 6, 2007, 08:20 PM

versitile ammo is the differance from 55gr to 200+gr. makes a insane fast round for varmints and small game out far. To big game,as big as buffalo.You choose??

Kreyzhorse · November 6, 2007, 09:12 PM

I think, as noted several times, that a .270, .308 and 30.06 are ballistically too close to think that there is going to be much difference between the rounds. If you want light recoil, I think that the .243 is your only choice.

fspic · November 6, 2007, 09:15 PM

Look into my eyes...buy many...many...guns...buy guns...buy Savage...buy many barrels...buy guns...buy many guns...all calibers good...buy all calibers...buy more guns...

taylorce1 · November 6, 2007, 09:52 PM

Quote:

30-06 all the way!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

versitile ammo is the differance from 55gr to 200+gr. makes a insane fast round for varmints and small game out far. To big game,as big as buffalo.You choose??

I'm guessing you are talking about accelerator ammunition when you say 55 grain out of a .30-06? I've never heard of anyone getting great accuracy out of them, I've never used them. What kind of experience have you had with them? I never figured they were worth the effort.

RedneckFur · November 6, 2007, 10:27 PM

If the new rifle is for your son, you cant go wrong with a .243 or 30-30. Both will do a fine job of taking deer out to 150 yards, the ammo wont break your wallet, and the recoil is light. Chances are, when he's not shooting it, you'll be shooting it too

rr2241tx · November 7, 2007, 04:01 PM

7.62x39! There's a good selection of bolt action rifles and some very inexpensive, well made semi-autos as well. Good hunting ammo is cheap. Good practice ammo is cheaper. Mil-Surp ammo for really going wild at the range is really, really cheap.

sasquatch · November 7, 2007, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Whatever you decide on for the son remember that any published load can be downloaded with H4895 to as little as 60%

If you reload this is great advice. I'm a firm believer in starting kids out with .270 or .30-'06 and having them shoot light loads, which produce tolerable recoil. No need to buy a new rifle as they grow up, simply work up to full loads as they are needed, and can be tolerated.

I started both of my sons out on reduced loads of IMR 4064, and everything worked out very well.

The .270 Winchester would be my choice.

bcarver · November 7, 2007, 06:32 PM

Doyle offered to muddy the waters with the mention of 7mm08.
He is right. It is the better round and the 7x57mm is another good choice.
The 7x57 was a favorite of one of the great Ivory hunters of the last century.
If it can kill a bull elephant it will kill 'most' deer.(haha)
I started with a 243 and moved up to a .270.
the 243, 308 and 7mm08 will kick about the same.
The 270 and 30-06 will kick more but about the same as each other.
I would reccomend the 7mm08 if you want a common round and the 7x57 if you like a exotic nostalgic round.

FirstFreedom · November 7, 2007, 06:39 PM

Well yes, and arguably best of all is the .280 remington - nearly the power of a 7mm remmag, but in a standardized/common case, if loaded to its full potential.

sasquatch · November 7, 2007, 06:56 PM

Some interesting info on recoil:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

22-rimfire · November 7, 2007, 10:26 PM

I'd let the kid decide and just look over their shoulder. When I was 15, I was very focused on accuracy (bullet placement) and went with a 243 for its versatility (vamints to deer sized game). Yes, I bought my own rifle. If you don't seat a 243 rifle right on your shoulder, it can hurt too with a couple of rounds. A couple of years later, I bumped up to the 270 win. Been there ever since. If the kid can shoot a shotgun, he can handle 270>308>30-06.

dead-eye-ked · November 7, 2007, 10:43 PM

I have beed looking for a new rifle myself, and I been playing with the Idea of a .270 also. Yes the .30-06 has a lot more ammo choices, but everyone has 1. A .270 will kill anything from Black bear to whistle pigs so it should work well for me. I also like browning, so when I so their BAR listed I am sold. lol you can get it in WSM or rem. and I will get mine in cammo since I will use it for hunting white tail.

http://www.browning.com/products/cat...31&type_id=329

November 1, 2007, 07:32 AM	#26
JKump Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 1998 Location: Middle Georgia Posts: 428	I have given this much thought also, my son (who is 8) will be wanting a hunting rifle soon. I am looking at 243/410 combo (NEF firearms). For deer the 243 is the caliber for younger shooters (as well as older shooters). This caliber works well. I had a 243 ultra lite NEF that I got rid of, but wished I still had. With the single shot he will not be out "blasting" shots down range, but learns to make that one shot count. Just my thoughts on the issue. __________________ Live everyday as if it is your last! Because someday you will be right. "Everyone has a game plan until they get punched in the mouth".

November 6, 2007, 08:20 PM	#31
jaymag Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2005 Location: springfield,MA Posts: 239	30-06 all the way! versitile ammo is the differance from 55gr to 200+gr. makes a insane fast round for varmints and small game out far. To big game,as big as buffalo.You choose??

November 6, 2007, 09:12 PM	#32
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	I think, as noted several times, that a .270, .308 and 30.06 are ballistically too close to think that there is going to be much difference between the rounds. If you want light recoil, I think that the .243 is your only choice. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

November 7, 2007, 04:01 PM	#36
rr2241tx Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2007 Location: The Great State of Taxes Posts: 267	Kid Gun 7.62x39! There's a good selection of bolt action rifles and some very inexpensive, well made semi-autos as well. Good hunting ammo is cheap. Good practice ammo is cheaper. Mil-Surp ammo for really going wild at the range is really, really cheap.

November 7, 2007, 06:32 PM	#38
bcarver Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2007 Location: Jackson,Mississippi Posts: 838	7x57mm Doyle offered to muddy the waters with the mention of 7mm08. He is right. It is the better round and the 7x57mm is another good choice. The 7x57 was a favorite of one of the great Ivory hunters of the last century. If it can kill a bull elephant it will kill 'most' deer.(haha) I started with a 243 and moved up to a .270. the 243, 308 and 7mm08 will kick about the same. The 270 and 30-06 will kick more but about the same as each other. I would reccomend the 7mm08 if you want a common round and the 7x57 if you like a exotic nostalgic round.

November 1, 2007, 07:36 AM	#27
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	I'm going to muddy the water a little more. The 7mm bullet has the best ballistic coefficient. Several people recommended the .243. It is a fine caliber and very pleasant to shoot, but the light bullet of a .243 delivers less energy that many people like. If you move up a little more to the 7mm-08, you'll get the best of both worlds. The 7mm-08 is flatter shooting than a 30-06, hits much harder than the .243, and has a recoil that is only very slightly more than the .243.

November 1, 2007, 10:27 AM	#29
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Focus on what the kid can handle as to recoil. All this other 250/270/280/308 stuff is irrelevant to the kid's need. Weight of gun is another factor; 8.5 to 9 pounds can get heavy for younger folks--and weight and perceeived reocil are inexorably tied together. Most shooting is inside 200 yards. Beaucoup "little" cartridges are effective in the more common 100-yards-plus-or-minus-a-smidgen range for Bambi. I don't think I'd go after elk with my .243, but I might try for Bambi #24 or #25, I disremember exactly..

November 1, 2007, 09:19 PM	#30
langenc Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2007 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 1,551	Not to harp on it but the recoils will make or break him. Whatever you decide on for the son remember that any published load can be downloaded with H4895 to as little as 60%-verify on the Hodgdon website. I am assuming you reload or can get someone to do it. Ammo can be uploaded (downloaded less!!) as the young man can handle more. You really dont want to make a flincher out of him.

November 6, 2007, 09:15 PM	#33
fspic Junior member Join Date: October 13, 2005 Posts: 77	Look into my eyes...buy many...many...guns...buy guns...buy Savage...buy many barrels...buy guns...buy many guns...all calibers good...buy all calibers...buy more guns...

November 6, 2007, 10:27 PM	#35
RedneckFur Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2007 Location: Central NC Posts: 1,424	If the new rifle is for your son, you cant go wrong with a .243 or 30-30. Both will do a fine job of taking deer out to 150 yards, the ammo wont break your wallet, and the recoil is light. Chances are, when he's not shooting it, you'll be shooting it too

November 7, 2007, 06:39 PM	#39
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	Well yes, and arguably best of all is the .280 remington - nearly the power of a 7mm remmag, but in a standardized/common case, if loaded to its full potential.

November 7, 2007, 06:56 PM	#40
sasquatch Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2005 Location: Western WA Posts: 1,347	Some interesting info on recoil: http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm __________________ Just my 2¢.

November 7, 2007, 10:26 PM	#41
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5,323	I'd let the kid decide and just look over their shoulder. When I was 15, I was very focused on accuracy (bullet placement) and went with a 243 for its versatility (vamints to deer sized game). Yes, I bought my own rifle. If you don't seat a 243 rifle right on your shoulder, it can hurt too with a couple of rounds. A couple of years later, I bumped up to the 270 win. Been there ever since. If the kid can shoot a shotgun, he can handle 270>308>30-06.

November 7, 2007, 10:43 PM	#42
dead-eye-ked Member Join Date: August 22, 2006 Posts: 72	.270 or .30-06? I have beed looking for a new rifle myself, and I been playing with the Idea of a .270 also. Yes the .30-06 has a lot more ammo choices, but everyone has 1. A .270 will kill anything from Black bear to whistle pigs so it should work well for me. I also like browning, so when I so their BAR listed I am sold. lol you can get it in WSM or rem. and I will get mine in cammo since I will use it for hunting white tail. http://www.browning.com/products/cat...31&type_id=329