.270 or .308 for Whitetails?
- Thread starter PATH
- Start date
My pick
Your question calls purely for opinion, because, ballistically speaking, both cartridges will get the job done.
.270 shoots flatter, and I'm a flat trajectory kind of guy. Comes in useful out in the sage brush.
.308 allows you to throw a larger bullet, but for deer, I can't see needing anything more than a 150gr, no matter how big the mulie(or white tail in your case) is.
.308, due to it being a short-action cartridge, also allows you to carry a slightly shorter/lighter rifle, if that is your choice.
That being said, since I just made this choice myself a few weeks ago, I went with .270.
greg
Your question calls purely for opinion, because, ballistically speaking, both cartridges will get the job done.
.270 shoots flatter, and I'm a flat trajectory kind of guy. Comes in useful out in the sage brush.
.308 allows you to throw a larger bullet, but for deer, I can't see needing anything more than a 150gr, no matter how big the mulie(or white tail in your case) is.
.308, due to it being a short-action cartridge, also allows you to carry a slightly shorter/lighter rifle, if that is your choice.
That being said, since I just made this choice myself a few weeks ago, I went with .270.
greg
I like the 270 better. It hits a little harder when 150 grain bullets are used in both but not enough to get excited about. I like it because of the higher BC and SD of the slightly smaller diameter bullet. Both are good, very good, pick the one that has a percieved advantage that is important to you.
Johnny Guest
Moderator in Memoriam
Depends mostly on other uses contemplated.
Both the .270 and the .308 are fine, highly developed cartridges. Either will properly take down even the largest whitetail deer walking, if you do your part well. A .375 or .458 couldn't kill a deer any deader than either of the first two rifles.
If you contemplate going north a bit and seeking out moose, perhaps the available heavier bullets would cause you to shoose the .308. If traveling west for pronghorn antelope, the flat trajectory of the .270 might serve you better.
I'm certain your .270 will serve you well.
Best of luck - -
Johnny
Both the .270 and the .308 are fine, highly developed cartridges. Either will properly take down even the largest whitetail deer walking, if you do your part well. A .375 or .458 couldn't kill a deer any deader than either of the first two rifles.
If you contemplate going north a bit and seeking out moose, perhaps the available heavier bullets would cause you to shoose the .308. If traveling west for pronghorn antelope, the flat trajectory of the .270 might serve you better.
I'm certain your .270 will serve you well.
Best of luck - -
Johnny
rwilson452
New member
270 vs 308
Either will work. I would choose based on range. If your longest shot is under 300 yds it doesn't really matter. My primary bambi rifle is a 30-06. I got it when I was needing to have one rifle for all my hunting needs. you can use a 30-06 on anything in north america except dangerous game. If I had to do griz I think I would want something like a 338 lapua.
Either will work. I would choose based on range. If your longest shot is under 300 yds it doesn't really matter. My primary bambi rifle is a 30-06. I got it when I was needing to have one rifle for all my hunting needs. you can use a 30-06 on anything in north america except dangerous game. If I had to do griz I think I would want something like a 338 lapua.
rwilson452
New member
Rockland?
The forum lists your location as Rockland. I didn't know you could use a rifle in your area. Are you going far up state?
The forum lists your location as Rockland. I didn't know you could use a rifle in your area. Are you going far up state?
Technically shotgun is still allowed in Rockland. Bow is generally the way most folks here take a deer. I go up to my brothers property in Sullivan County. I can also go up to the Roscoe area using the properties of two clubs in which I hold membership.
The answer is no rifles for hunting in Rockland!
The answer is no rifles for hunting in Rockland!
FirstFreedom
Moderator
Hey, not to hijack your thread, but could yous guys answer me a similar (though not the same) question:
Of those exact two caliber choices (.270 Win and .308 Win), which one is better for hunting largeish North American animals at ranges under 200 yards, such as mulies, black bear, elk, caribou? Thanks.
Of those exact two caliber choices (.270 Win and .308 Win), which one is better for hunting largeish North American animals at ranges under 200 yards, such as mulies, black bear, elk, caribou? Thanks.
For you!
Given your situation, under 200 yards on 'larger' game, I would go with the .308 over the .270.
Using a .270 with premium 150gr loads, or Hornadys 140gr 'Light Magnum' loads, I would have no reservations shooting at a big mulie, elk or caribou out to 250-275ish. Maybe even 300 if it was a nice broad-side shot, and I didn't have to worry about a shoulder getting in the way.
But, since you are going to be under 200, and you mentioned black bears, you might be better off going with a nice 180gr .308 load. It will certainly get the job done.
greg
Given your situation, under 200 yards on 'larger' game, I would go with the .308 over the .270.
Using a .270 with premium 150gr loads, or Hornadys 140gr 'Light Magnum' loads, I would have no reservations shooting at a big mulie, elk or caribou out to 250-275ish. Maybe even 300 if it was a nice broad-side shot, and I didn't have to worry about a shoulder getting in the way.
But, since you are going to be under 200, and you mentioned black bears, you might be better off going with a nice 180gr .308 load. It will certainly get the job done.
greg
rwilson452
New member
larger game
According to me. The 270 won't do for the bigger stuff. I also think the 308 is iffy. I would suggest nothing under a 30-06. For moose usually something bigger is mentioned. for a mooseberger, the 30-06 is just bearly in there and shot placement becomes critical. I wouldn't even consider a 270.
According to me. The 270 won't do for the bigger stuff. I also think the 308 is iffy. I would suggest nothing under a 30-06. For moose usually something bigger is mentioned. for a mooseberger, the 30-06 is just bearly in there and shot placement becomes critical. I wouldn't even consider a 270.
Rich Lucibella
Staff
Not saying that I recommend 30 cals for moose or bear.
But be aware that modern "Hi-Performance" loads in .308 render the ballistics between it and standard 30-06 virtually indistinguishable.
Kinda like the difference between the .338 WinMag and .375. There's nothing that the .338 can do that the .375 can't do a bit better; but there's nothing you can hunt with a .375 that the .338 isn't up to, either.
Rich
But be aware that modern "Hi-Performance" loads in .308 render the ballistics between it and standard 30-06 virtually indistinguishable.
Kinda like the difference between the .338 WinMag and .375. There's nothing that the .338 can do that the .375 can't do a bit better; but there's nothing you can hunt with a .375 that the .338 isn't up to, either.
Rich
rwilson452
New member
standard 30-06
ya got me. I don't shoot "standard" 30-06. I handload and make the load to the use at hand.
ya got me. I don't shoot "standard" 30-06. I handload and make the load to the use at hand.
rwilson452
New member
non standard 30-06
If I was to go after moose with my 30-06 I would work with a 200 gr bullet such as the sierra #2165 and powders such as 4350, 4831, RE19 and RE22. looking for the best velocity with acceptable accuracy. As I would not attempt a real long shot on a moose with a 30-06 the choice would be power over pin point accuracy. 2-2.5 moa would be well within spec. 3 moa would be acceptable if there was a great difference in muzzle velocity
If I was to go after moose with my 30-06 I would work with a 200 gr bullet such as the sierra #2165 and powders such as 4350, 4831, RE19 and RE22. looking for the best velocity with acceptable accuracy. As I would not attempt a real long shot on a moose with a 30-06 the choice would be power over pin point accuracy. 2-2.5 moa would be well within spec. 3 moa would be acceptable if there was a great difference in muzzle velocity
Path - you have a 270 so for you it's the better choice, unless you need an excuse to buy another rifle, then 308 is the right choice.
Fer moose - more than a few Scandinavian types and Canadians use a 6.5x55. In N.A. other than bears (blacks excepted) if a 308 won't do it you're doing something wrong. Everything in N.A. is consistantly killed with 44mag, 45 Colt, 454 Cassul, etc revolvers.
Fer moose - more than a few Scandinavian types and Canadians use a 6.5x55. In N.A. other than bears (blacks excepted) if a 308 won't do it you're doing something wrong. Everything in N.A. is consistantly killed with 44mag, 45 Colt, 454 Cassul, etc revolvers.