30.06 Springfield or .270 win ?

[nicz]

I want to buy a all around rifle for deer and elk? What do you think 30-06 or .270 win? Pros? Cons?

[headshot5]

Either works, 30-06 would is preference.  Has a little better bullet selection on the heavy end 180-200's.   

[Fl0und3rz]

30-06, better/more options on the upper end of bullet weight.
.270 flatter shooting.

Other than that, probably a wash.

[Kittman]

I would pick the 30-06 because when lead is outlawed in an initiative on the ballot in a couple years by the WA voting eco-crowd, the heavier bullet choice argument for the 30-06 will become more clear.   

[AWS]

For many years my stand hunting gun was a .270, more broadside and incoming shots and my still hunting rifle was a 30-06 carbine throwing 220 RN's, more quartering and going away shots where more penetration was required.  This was one large northern whitetails.  If elk are in the mix I'd go 30-06 all the way with a premium bullet, why give away anything if you have a choice, if you already have a 270 I'd say use it and adjust accordingly to the lighter bullet.  With the premium bullets available like mono metals and controlled expansion give the 270 a boost on the big stuff compared to the old cup and core bullets.

[bobcat]

The only real difference in my opinion is recoil. If you want slightly less recoil go with the 270. Either one will work fine on deer and elk.

[BOWHUNTER45]

The only real difference in my opinion is recoil. If you want slightly less recoil go with the 270. Either one will work fine on deer and elk.

BUT I would prefer the .270 

[Jingles]

No real choice on this Without a doubt go for the 30-06 they both use the same brass and the bullet selection for the 06 is way greater than the 270, resulting in a more versatile gun

[bobcat]

No real choice on this Without a doubt go for the 30-06 they both use the same brass and the bullet selection for the 06 is way greater than the 270, resulting in a more versatile gun

This is good advice, especially if you're not a reloader. Although 270 ammo is also readily available, and bullet selection is sufficient. But still, it's hard to beat the 30/06 if you rely on factory ammo.

[kodiak 907]

06 hands down

[Bob33]

The 30-06 has a slight edge due to its ability to use bullets of larger diameter, and a greater availability of factory ammunition.

[Damnimissed]

Everyone is talking about better bullet choice with the '06. There's only one bullet you need with the .270, the 140gr Accubond 

[Bofire]

no difference, buy either.
Carl

[stevemiller]

Everyone is talking about better bullet choice with the '06. There's only one bullet you need with the .270, the 140gr Accubond 

Exactly  Also on the lead bullet future ban it will suck sure but then they will all just make solid copper like Barnes and a few others.   

[Biggerhammer]

When it comes to the two. Bullet selection matters far more than the headstamp. Huge, wide range of bullets and weight selection in the .30 Cal but at the same time. A .270 Winchester with a 160gr Nosler Partition is well capable of taking the toughest of Elk and shoulder shots on black bears. 140gr Nosler Accubonds Are wicked in both the .270 Winchester and .270 WSM chamberings.

[huntingfool7]

It's been a long time since I've seen a 30-06 vs. 270 vs. 7mm post. 
Thought everyone had switched over to short mag vs. super short mag vs. really super short mag dilemma.

[yorketransport]

It's been a long time since I've seen a 30-06 vs. 270 vs. 7mm post. 
Thought everyone had switched over to short mag vs. super short mag vs. really super short mag dilemma.

Just because you said that, I'll recommend the 280 Rem.

I'd go with the '06 just because there are a few more ammo choices out there. Not that the 270 is suffering in that department though!

[hub]

Well for deer and elk I would say if have a .270 you do not need an 06. If you have an 06 you do not need a .270. I have both and have equal respect for each.  They both shoot flat enough. They both hit hard enough. As an avid handloader bullet selection has never been as good as it is right now. I would probably say look for the best buy.

[jdb]

I have shot a .270 my whole life would not trade my old rem. 700 for a brand new weatherby but if o was to start over I'd probably get an 06.

[RadSav]

Few hunters have ever shot an elk and wished they had brought less gun!  So IMO if you can handle the recoil of the '06 go that route. 

Now if the use of lead bullets get's banned at some point that would change.  Barnes performance is all about speed.  So in that case I'd chose the 270 over the '06 if and when that ever happened.  Or at that point step it up to the 300WM!

[Bofire]

pick the gun you want/like/canshoot. 06 or 270 means nothing for your use. Jack OConner said " the difference between 270/280/30-06's effect on game animals is strictly in the mind of the hunter"  He is and was right.
Carl

[MIKEXRAY]

My very first rifle was a Mod 70 in 270 Win,  ( 16 years old  1982 )   my current rifle is a 270 and will use it the rest of my life.   But when I read this question I answered 30-06 immediately in my head.  For elk I think the heavier bullets of the 06 wins for sure, if I had to do it over I would of gone with the 06    or  7mm in my older years.  Just stuck with the 270 for ole time sake.

[csaaphill]

.270 all the way you can get loads in 150 grain which to me is enough for deer and or ELk.
I have a .270 since I ws 19 and wont go without it.
06 I want on though but still .270
You can go .270 whthby and get 180 grain if you want and or hand load 180 grain I beleive if you wanted to.
had a guy show me his .270 wheatherbey and had 180 grain was cool I want one some day.
If you like open sights or have the money to do a side mount Go 30-40 krag lever action 180 grain or even higher good for deer and elk.
I've even hunted 30-30 for elk before so ya.
But .270 is my choice

[T Pearce]

Years ago a custom gun builder was asked the most popular cartridge he chambers for?
 Now I'm sorry I dont remember his name...... his rifles were expensive.

#1: 30-06 was the most popular caliber and I believe so because folks couldn't make up their minds!

Which is how this thread originated. Hope someone remembers and can tell us who he was.
T

[sliverthrower]

Killed a lot of elk with my .270 win and 150 gr. bullets.

[csaaphill]

Killed a lot of elk with my .270 win and 150 gr. bullets.

not killed any yet but look to sometime. 

[Biggerhammer]

pick the gun you want/like/canshoot. 06 or 270 means nothing for your use. Jack OConner said " the difference between 270/280/30-06's effect on game animals is strictly in the mind of the hunter"  He is and was right.
Carl

His wife was one step ahead of him . She slung .284 diameter bullets.

[RadSav]

pick the gun you want/like/canshoot. 06 or 270 means nothing for your use. Jack OConner said " the difference between 270/280/30-06's effect on game animals is strictly in the mind of the hunter"  He is and was right.
Carl

His wife was one step ahead of him . She slung .284 diameter bullets.

I think she was bigger than he was

[GoldenOscar]

I have both and love them both but have to say my 06 is my favorite......I cant tell much difference in recoil either. Elk are a tough critter and I rather have a heavier bullet for those times when you don't have the perfect broadside shot.

[Bofire]

from my material Ms. O Conner preferred a 7X57 and "considered her 30/06 about like I considered my .375 H&H" (Jack O) regardless there is no real difference on game animals,(270/280/30-06).
Carl

[Biggerhammer]

pick the gun you want/like/canshoot. 06 or 270 means nothing for your use. Jack OConner said " the difference between 270/280/30-06's effect on game animals is strictly in the mind of the hunter"  He is and was right.
Carl

His wife was one step ahead of him . She slung .284 diameter bullets.

I think she was bigger than he was

Perfect for choping wood and those cold Northen nights in the field.

[tgomez]

I would go with the 30-06 and only because you can get ammo anywhere in the world for it, and get more of a wide variety of grain bullets. With that being said a .270 is flatter shooting. A .270 or 30-06 you can't go wrong either way, they are both very outstanding cartridges.

[Magnum_Willys]

I've shot 21 Elk with a .300 or .338 and recovered all of them.
I shot one elk with a .270 and it ran off to be taken by other hunters.
Just Sayin....... 30.06 or bigger would be my choice. 

In open country anything works but western WA reprod you want to stop em now.

[Bean Counter]

I wouldn't hesitate to hunt with either. One factor I would consider is the availability of ammo. In the recent Obama gun grab I noticed far more .270 ammo on the shelves than .30-06.

[nicz]

Thank you all for your replies, I got a Tikka T3 in 30.06 with scope from Dicks Sporting Goods on Thanksgiving day. I took it to the range and I like how it feels and how it shoots.

[Bean Counter]

OUTSTANDING 

Now find what ammo groups best from your particular gun and start buying it. buy a lot

[C-Money]

Glad you got your rifle! The ole 30-06 is a killer for sure. I've killed deer and elk with both the .270 and the '06 and they all ended up just plain old dead. Most all of them I watched go down after the shot. These two cartridges will still be getting it done long after the Magnum craze is over. I mostly use a .270 win now just cause I like how the gun its  self (A-Bolt) performs in the field.

[Blacklab]

Congrats 

It will take anything in the lower 48 

[blackveltbowhunter]

Thank you all for your replies, I got a Tikka T3 in 30.06 with scope from Dicks Sporting Goods on Thanksgiving day. I took it to the range and I like how it feels and how it shoots.

Congratz on the new rifle!  Should be a shooter for ya. My hunting partner bought the same setup the day before. He loves it.

[WoodlandShooter]

for hunting, it's a wash between the 30-06 and 270.

for reaching out there, 270 all the way!!