270 vs 25-06

[Moreland]

I am going to be purchasing a new gun here shortly. Going to go with a Sako 85 Finnlight. I have been mulling around some ideas for what calibre I should get it in. I originally thought about getting it in a 7mm Rem Mag but I already have a 300WSM, so I don't really need a gun that big (plus I have always wanted a Remington 700BDL in 7mm and although you can never have enough guns lol I don't think I'll need two 7s).

What I've got it down to now is a 270Win or a 25-06Rem... I've always wanted a 25-06 and when I was buying my first hunting rifle my first choice was a 270 (ended up getting a great deal on a 30-06, so I went with that). I know I already have enough gun for anything so I just wanted to see what everyone thought about the two calibres I have narrowed it down to. It will mostly be for deer, although it would also be a backup rifle for moose and elk. I'm not huge into long range shooting but I wouldnt mind practicing and being able to takes yotes at long range with it as well. I don't reload as of yet but I will someday, I know 270 ammo is available everywhere so that makes it easier but 25-06 cant be that hard to come by right?

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

[Prdtrgttr]

Go with the 270, especially if you want it for back up for moose and elk.

[Smokinyotes]

I was going to recommend the 25-06 until you said you may use it for a back up for moose and elk. I know lots of people have flattened moose and elk with the 25-06 but I believe in bigger bullets for moose and elk. I have shot 3 elk and numerous moose with the 270 and it works well. I know lots will disagree with me but I would go with the 270.

[lannie]

You have whittled it down to two fine cartridges. With what you have already I would be inclined to go the 25-06 route. No wrong choice there.

[bdub]

Ballistically the 25-06 with 115-120s is about the same as the 270 with 130-140s. I would go within the 270 in your situation. It's light for moose and elk type stuff but better than the 25-06 for sure. My coyote/wolf gun is a 270. I don't shoot for fur but it the damage to hides is pretty minimal in most cases. I'm shooting 130 partitions at about 3000 fps.

[addictedfisherman]

I would def get the 25-06. After seeing what the 257wby does to deer I'm a firm believer. I have a 30 cal and the 257 for my main hunting cartridges and its a dynamite combination. the 25 cal will work for moose and elk but it is on the light side of things.

[missingtwo]

You have a 30 caliber. Your going to get a 284 caliber (7mm). Thats real close to .277. You just as well jump down to .257.

[bdub]

Originally Posted by missingtwo

You have a 30 caliber. Your going to get a 284 caliber (7mm). Thats real close to .277. You just as well jump down to .257.

I would agree with you if the op was looking for a coyote/deer gun but as a coyote/moose-elk gun I think the 270 would be a better option. Jmo and not trying to ruffle any feathers.

[Fowl91]

Originally Posted by missingtwo

You have a 30 caliber. Your going to get a 284 caliber (7mm). Thats real close to .277. You just as well jump down to .257.

Yeah I read it as, you have a 300WSM and you've always wanted a 7mm. Based on that I would go down to the 25-06. Great for coyote/deer/elk, and then begin your pursuit for your 7mm Remington.

Also factory ammo isn't hard to come by. I shoot 100gr Federal with Nosler ballistic tips, a bit more expensive than .270 factory ammo. However for elk or moose I would go with a 120gr bullet.

[bulletman]

The question is whether you are loading or using factory ammo. I have both. The .270 is more of an ''all-around'' rifle and ammo is much cheaper, more available with more selection. It's really nice to have a couple of rifles that don't dislodge fillings when you range-test them!

[rembo]

Go with the 25-06...good deer cartridge and any moose or elk properly hit with a 100 gr TSX or a 120 Partition out of the 25-06 will die just a quickly as one hit with anything out of a 270.
Everyone and thier dog, and maybe even the horse they rode in on has a 270...buck the trend, be your own man, run a 25-06..:-)

I have both cartridges, id say go 270, 25-06 ammo is a fair bit more expensive, and has been difficult to find lately. You can usually find the premium stuff, but generally the more affordable bullets have been out of stock. Ive even had trouble finding brass for reloading lately (25-06), just the way it goes.

[Ronji]

270 all the way. I beleive that the 25-06 is far too light for moose.

[addictedfisherman]

My trick is to just use the 300 while I have an open moose or Elk tag. As soon as I have my moose I switch over to the smaller cal. As long as you can shoot well, the 25-06 will put a moose, elk or bear down like nobodys business. If you reload there's lots of options for brass. And like a couple other guys said. Whats the fun in having the same gun your neighbor and his dog are shooting.

If you want a 7mm mag i would buy the 25-06, sell the 300 short mag and buy a 338 of some kind. Then, if you are just hunting deer or antelope you bring the 25-06, for deer and moose/Elk hunts you take the 7mm and when your just hunting moose, Elk or bear, take the 338.

[ShawnM]

Go for the .270. Yes it's an older cartridge but it's still in the top three selling for a reason.

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by missingtwo

You have a 30 caliber. Your going to get a 284 caliber (7mm). Thats real close to .277. You just as well jump down to .257.

I own a .270 and think it's a pretty fine round. But if you are also going to get a 7mm then I think missingtwo has it right above. The 7mm can be your back-up for moose and elk.

If you don't get the 7mm, then get the .270 for sure.

[Metalmike123]

Another vote for the 270 win in this case, since you are looking to hunt moose and elk. 25-06 is capable in skilled hands, but doesn't fill the criteria like the 270 in my opinion. I just bought a new 25-06 though and I can't wait to try it

[benamen]

Personally I would go with the 270 due to your statement that the new rifle will be used for moose and elk. I've had the 270 asmy only rifle for 25 years. I felt under gunned when it came to moose so stepped up to the 300WSM.

[kabaner]

25-06 all the way. I have been shooting one for 10 years and haven't been in too many situations where I was under gunned and couldn’t shoot (occasional elk past 300m). This year my wife and I took a moose an elk with it no problem (both one shot one kill). Shoots flat, minimal recoil (see bullet impact) and fast. You already have a 30cal, 270 really isn’t much of a step down if you are looking for a smaller caliber hunting rifle with some feyness. I am not going to knock a 270, they are exceptional caliber as well.

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by kabaner

270 really isn’t much of a step down if you are looking for a smaller caliber hunting rifle with some feyness. .

Yeah, that's what every guy wants... some feyness.

[score]

From what you stated, another vote for the .270 here. Good luck.

[boner54]

I shoot a 25-06 and love it. Never have I had an issue with anything walking away after the trigger is pulled. I also have a .338 which is awesome. If was thinking of a .270, I would go to a .280, in my opinion this is the most under rated (.280) cal tout there.

[helluvahunter]

Another vote for the 25-06

[Lefty-Canuck]

IMHO when comparing the .25-06 and the .270 really the only thing that is different is the selection in bullets. If you want to shoot a light bullet 120gr and less then pick the 25-06, if you want to shoot heavier than that then go with the .270....there are reasons a 25-06 "kicks less" it is because typically the bullets used are lighter than in a .270.

LC

[cds]

Go with the 25-06 I have handloaded 5 different rounds for the caliber. Now I am pushing a 85Grain GS Custom loaded with 55 grains of 4007 going 3675fps. I got no problems pulling the trigger on a moose, elk, or bears, everything i shoot with gun is dead with one shot. My wife shot her 800 pound cow moose two years ago with this rifle loaded with a 100 grain Nosler partition at 213 yrds. she dropped like a ton of bricks.

[Jordan Smith]

Grab the 7RM and instead of a .270 or .25-06, pick up a .260 Rem

[Big Daddy Badger]

270 because of the availability of ammo.
25-06 can be slim pickins.

[Dudes2010]

Originally Posted by ShawnM

Go for the .270. Yes it's an older cartridge but it's still in the top three selling for a reason.

Agreed, .270 Win is a beauty. Does it all. Cheers.......

[Albertaguide]

Hate to add a fly to the ointment but have you considered splitting the difference and going with a 264. Europeans regularly use the 6.5x55 swede for moose. Combine that with a great sectional density and ballistic coefficient it's a killer. My wife and son use my old sporterized m-96.

[rmatei]

I'm a 270 fan but buy them both, what the hell it's only money.