Which Hunting Rifle - .270, .300, .308 or 30/06?

[pete2]

Any of the above, I prefer the Ruger 77 or Win. 70 cause they are purty with walnut stocks. Any Leupold scope is suitable. You'll be good to go. My current deer rifles are a Ruger 77 MK II in .270 and a lightweight Win. 70 in .243. There are a lot of good rifles to choose from. Some don't cost a lot of money.

[Paul B.]

The late great Col. Townsend Whelen once said, "The 30-06 is never a mistake."

I'm in agreement with that comment and I have hunted and shot game with all four of the cartridges the OP mentioned. If push came to shove it would be the 30-06 if I could only keep one.
A few years back I did a little experiment comparing the 180 gr. Winchester Powerpoint ammo factory ammo in .308 Winchester and 30-06. From a 22" barrel the .308 was just at 2600 FPS. The 30-06 only about 20 FPS faster.
I ran some of the 30-06 through a custom rifle with a 24" barrel and a Ruger #1B with a 26" barrel. Only the Ruger came anywhere near giving the advertised 2700 FPS for the 180 gr. bullet. My handloads beat that by a large number for a 22" Remington M700.
Still. if one is hunting in some out of the way place and need to replace lost ammo, the good old 30-06 is most likely one's best bet.
I usually hunt elk with a .35 Whelen but you can bet your last dollar there will be a 30-06 along as back up.
Paul B.

[reynolds357]

Winchester super grade or browning x bolt medallion. Meopta meopro scope.

[Pathfinder45]

Factory loaded 30-'06 ammo is loaded to a lower pressure than the more modern 308 or even the 270 Winchester. This is in deference to an earlier standard for rifles that aren't as strong as the typical 270 or 308 Winchester. There are a lot of experienced handloaders that know they can safely load 30-'06 ammo for a modern bolt-action rifle to the same pressures as the 308 and the velocity will be substantially beyond the reach of the 308. While most folks can match or slightly better factory ammo velocity in other calibers using careful loads, there may not be much to gain safely. So the 30-'06 has the most to gain by handloading, in terms of velocity increase. I'll take the ought-six over the 308 in a good bolt action. But let me have a 270, instead.

[hooligan1]

I can dig all these cartridges, .270 win being my go to cal so far for whitetail. But I also have two 3006 rifles I like to use, and reloading the 3006 is one of my favorite things to do because of all the bullets manufactured for it.
I never owned a .308, but I would I guess if the right rifle came up and bit me.
I use heavy bullets in my .270 and it handles them well, giving me confidence that I could hunt any game pretty much within my max Range of 350 yds.
Now there is no way in hell I'd take my .270 win on a big bear hunt, there Is opt for my 3006 and heavy penetrators, and become super proficient with the rifle and load before I'd even consider putting in for a tag.. Anything else and I have confidence my .270 would be fine...

[RaySendero]

TOYSTRY Join Date: December 25, 2016
Posts: 1 Which Hunting Rifle - .270, .300, .308 or 30/06?
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Looking for a rifle that can pretty much put down any big game in North America (deer, mule, elk, bear).

My budget for the rifle is under $1000.

Also for scopes, my budget is under $1000.

Thanks for the help.

Oh, If I could only start over from the beginning rifle w/ what I know now!

Starting out, I didn't have anywhere close to that $2000 funds.
I bought a used rifle similar to my buddies and went hunting with them.
I found I really liked both hunting and shooting targets.
Learned to reload ammo for rifles and like that, too.
My hunting and shooting experience's began to expand and vary.

My rookie mistake was selling the rifle I had; To buy another that would be better for my new interest.
When round-n-round selling and buying 1 rifle.
This cycle ended with a purchase of a 12.5 lb scoped target rifle that I would use for competitions
and also long range box stand hunting - I still have that one today.

My break through milestone was when
I added a second purposely built rifle for stalk hunting and just general woods carry around.
Since I've added several more purposely built or restored or customized rifles;
Each one for a specific hunting or shooting need.




So....If I had to start over again:
I'd pick my most frequent/common hunting situation and obtain a rifle purposely for that particular situation.
I'd begin to learn to reload for it.
As a new different need arose, I'd patiently save-up more $$$$ for another purchase and
use this time to study, investigate and plan what/how to get that situation BEST covered.
Over a lifetime, I know following this strategy is the most rewarding.
You'll have a real good rifle to fit each hunting and shooting situation you like.


TOYSTRY, Tell us about your most frequent/common hunting experiences.



PS: Notice, I didn't mention cartridges cause I pick the best rifle 1st.
......The rest just seemed to fall into place when you know reloading.

[reynolds357]

That is why I subscribe to the never sell anything theory.

[treg]

Doing it over, I'd go with a nimble .308 with a modest barrel length. Today the market is flush with modestly priced rifles and glass that will perform admirably. Get one that feels right and you LIKE.

.30 caliber offers the most variety of loaded ammo and handloading components of all. Handload 110 - 120 gr bullets for most stuff at a modest velocity (think managed recoil) and swap bullets for various game (predators to deer). Step up your game for bigger stuff with 150 - 180 grain bullets loaded to the desired performance level and hunt with a rifle you are intimately familiar with.

Or just gitter-done with an off the shelf 150 grain load that shoots like a house afire.

[RC20]

We really do need a more realistic hunting profile, where do you live, do you hunt there, what do you hunt, what percentage is that hunting, how likely are you do be after Elks and Moose?

I don't think there is any question that 30-06 is the best all around regardless.

In many ways, unless you hand load its not using its full capability .

R17 particularly in the 168-175 gr bullets can push 3000 FPS safely.

I do think 308 is as prevalent as 06 ammo, we don't have a lot of back words stores to check (actually up here if you don't have it with you, unless a buddy does or a stranger can help out you are SOL - problem is too many boutique rounds that get carried now)

There is a plethora of 308 match for non reload target shooting.

270 type bullets in 30-06 shoot almost as flat at 270 and not enough difference to matter (as will 308).

So I go with the lightest handiest rifle for deer as typical which would be 308. It will also do the rest short of a Grizzly.

Elk depends on the hunting area. I would take a hand loaded 30-06 over pretty much anything there.

35 Whalen is going to have far more rainbow trajectory at long ranges.

As per above, you really have to sort out current needs and the most often and see if it fits in with the occasional.

With 2 grand you could buy two different Savages and they would have ok scopes to start with.

Or buy two bare Savages and buy a couple of good scopes.

I have a Cabella made in Japan (don't' get one made elsewhere) scope I got for under $150 that is my favorites all around. Matches up with a Night Force at 100 yds just fine and the NF cost $1100.

[Paul B.]

"35 Whalen is going to have far more rainbow trajectory at long ranges."

I'm inclined to disagree with you. A properly hand loaded .35 Whelen with a 225 gr. Barnes TSX will have the same trajectory as a factory 30-06 load and hit a heck of a lot harder. I can load that Barnes bullet to 2710 FPS in my custom Mauser and I can assure you that any elk out to 350/400 yards is is serious trouble from that rifle. I shot it a 100, 200 and 300 yards and compared it to a 30-06 at the same ranges and the traction was for all practical purposes identical.
Factory Whelen ammo is somewhat downloaded for the Remington pump and semi-auto rifles. Remingtpm messed that one in the same manner as their .280 Rem.
Paul B.

[Iwanttoshootbettter]

I deer n hog hunted 28 years with a 700 in 30-06 as I got older my accuracy suffered.Had to tag a few misses lol.Now 55 yro I felt the need to go less recoil and read reviews on the ever so loved 308 win.Bought a 26' REM SPS Varmint 308 took her to the range with a few VX6 on top and low n behold I'm shooting groups I never seen before.I carried this new cannon to a spike hunt this weekend walked 500 yards from truck to stand with a comfortable padded sling.I will be hunting with the varmint 308 from now on.

[Sure Shot Mc Gee]

300 Win Mag. Only because it has a rainbow of 30 cal bullets weights and easy to down load so to accommodate nearly all of the game hunted in the lower 48.

Although I hunt with a 270 yearly. My next preference would be a Winchester 300 Short Mag. But I don't know if the Short Mag is as capable to down load as the 300 Winchester Mag is noted to do. That is a question/ something I would have to follow up before my purchasing.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Nice to see all the love for the .270----have always been pleased with my .270's too

[ClaymoreAKM]

I've boiled it down to between a .30-06 or a .270. Keep a .30-30 in the case as well.

[ShootistPRS]

The 3006 is the most popular hunting cartridge in America. It can be found just about anywhere. The 308 is close and it is still in use by the military so it will be around for another hundred years. The difference between the two hit hard with heavier bullets. So, if you're going after big bear I would take the 3006.
The magnums have a slight advantage in velocity but they use a lot more powder and you can't find factory brass for them in small towns. They also come with a lot more recoil. No extra charge...

[RaySendero]

TOYSTRY, Tell us about your most frequent/common hunting experiences.

TOYSTRY ???

[shootbrownelk]

Winchester model 70, I have two. One in 30.06 and the other in .375 H&H. I did have a .35 Whelen but it's performance was on a par with my .375 out to 250 yds. My opinion, get a 30.06. If you ever need ammo while hunting, you can get it in any little hardware store in BFE. Not so with the Whelen.

[disseminator]

I bought a new rifle last fall that I am really happy with.

It's a Sako A7 RoughTech 308 Win. I believe I paid $1150 for it which is a very nice rifle for the money. The A7 is like a nicer Tikka in that it has the same three lug short throw bolt as the higher end Sako rifles, but uses Weaver style scope mounts vs the proprietary built in mounts the Tikka and other Sako rifles use. It has a 24.5" barrel and comes with a 5 shot MOA warrenty. Also has a much nicer stock than the Tikka IMO.

I'm shooting the 175g Barnes LRX Bullet at 2.9" OAL and 2760 FPS into MOA groups and I am very happy with this rifle to say the least.

I put a Leopold VXR 3x9x40 Illuminated Firedot reticle with Mark IV ring set. ( $625 total )

It available in all the calibers your looking at: http://www.sako.fi/rifles/sako-a7/a7-roughtech-pro

It's a winner.

I also have a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in 300WSM that I shoot 200g Barnes LRX bullets at 2820 fps from. It's a winner too.

You really can't go wrong with anything in this thread....

[chuckscap]

If Alaskan brown bear is on your list, I'd go with the 30-06, otherwise it's pickem between the 30-06 and the 270. I love my 270, accounted for a bunch of deer a couple of dozen elk and seven black bears. 150g Partitions at 2900 plus fps just works wonders

[Ocraknife]

270 is a great cartridge, but its a lot more bang and boom than it returns.

Lethality on Elk is a bit marginal at long range.

Why would the 270 be less lethal at long range than a 30-06? The 270 retains more energy than a 30-06 past about 150 yards, at least according to the ballistics charts I've read.

[SARuger]

30-06, you can't go wrong with it.

[Hunter Customs]

The only thing I would add is to also consider the .280.

Yep, that would be my choice, especially if you roll your own.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter

[doofus47]

I shoot a 30-06, but my buddy with a 270 Win could do almost anything I could do--but we are vanilla hunters: a couple deer, a couple elk... We don't chase big bears. If by 'bears' you mean big and brown, I would definitely take the 30-06 b/c you can launch heavier bullets. Otherwise...fielder's choice.

I have a 260 Rem for chasing smaller, long distance game, but either the 270 or 30-06 could do that as well.

[ClaymoreAKM]

I'll also add, every deer I have ever shot with a .270 dropped right where I hit it.

[reynolds357]

If you have narrowed it down to .270 or 30-06, why not split the difference, .280?