.270 or .308 or ???

[mattthegorby]

Greetings all!

OK... have googled and suffering from information overload.

I am a newbie who is having a great time learning to shoot my .22. This summer I will be picking up a general purpose hunting rifle that has reasonably priced rounds. I want something deer capable that can also stretch up to elk if I get the opportunity in a couple years.

So, I know a bunch of calibers are going to work for this and was going to go with a .308. However, I am really enjoying just shooting and would like to try some longer distance stuff if I can get an outdoor range membership next year (struggle to do around Calgary area). I have read that .270 might be a better choice for longer range and still be capable in terms of a general game getter.

Appreciate any opinions.

Thanks!

Matt

[amosfella]

If I had to do it again, I'd get a rifle in 6.5 creedmore, 6.5 sweede and reload, or a rifle in 6.5 grendal. For some reason, the ballistics are much better.

Spend a bit of time reading up on the 6.5 grendal.

[mattthegorby]

Originally Posted by amosfella

If I had to do it again, I'd get a rifle in 6.5 creedmore, 6.5 sweede and reload, or a rifle in 6.5 grendal. For some reason, the ballistics are much better.

Spend a bit of time reading up on the 6.5 grendal.

Those 6.5 guys keep popping up. I will do some more research.

Thanks!

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by mattthegorby

Those 6.5 guys keep popping up. I will do some more research.

Thanks!

The 6.5 Creedmoor is the new 270/308 hybrid, it's the direction I would suggest.

[t.tinsmith]

I have quite a selection of rifles myself and I nearly always pick a .270 win. , works well on elk, moose etc. The .308 is a fine backup choice.Cheers

[abbgdr]

Do yourself a favour and ignore all the nonsense about recoil. Guess what, when you pull the trigger there’s going to be a loud bang and if it’s a real “all round” big boy hunting rifle it’s going to buck,,, get used to it. If your one of the overly sensitive types and can’t handle loud noises and a mild punch to the shoulder then maybe this sport really isn’t for you. The 308 and the 270 both have quite mild recoil,, unless of course you start to believe all the nonsense on the internet and then you’ll probably develop a psychologically inducuced twitch long before you even pick up the rifle. Most decent rifles now days come with more than adequate recoil pads and you’d have to plant the butt directly on the end of your nose in order to inflict any real pain. Get yourself a good rifle, get it properly fit to you and get out and get used to shooting it. This is a fun sport, pick a caliber, any caliber and let the lead fly, just do yourself a favour,, ignore most of what you read online

[hogie]

Both will work.
308 has cheap practise ammo in bulk. You can get surplus ammo for less than a buck a shot. That means you can shoot more for same money. When you find a cheap ammo to practice with that is consistent then start going out farther . Your rifle will decide.

Trigger time will make you a better shot.

[Cottus]

Regardless of what rifle you get, the money you spend in gas for hunting/travel in a single year vastly outweighs the initial cost of most standard hunting rifles. This will not be your last rifle so don't sweat it too much and buy whichever feels best or is on sale. I shoot .308, my buddy hunts with his .270 for the exact same animals in the same terrain. Practice shooting and learning how to take a field shot are WAAAAY more important than the difference between these calibres.

Good luck!

[mediumrare]

First thing I would do is get a loonie.heads 308 tails 270.cant go wrong either way.i would probably lean towards 308 myself.i would spend a bit more on a rifle or you'll likely be disappointed regardless of the calibre.7mm08 is another option but ammo is a few bucks more.have fun shopping!

[JDK71]

308 good all around gun

[fps plus]

I own both and if I were picking I would go 270 .

[Nyksta]

Choosing a good rifle to suit your style is a better question or use of time researching. 243 6.5creed 6.5x55 270 7mauser 308 3006 7mmremmag are all popular for their own purposes.

If you want a cheap rifle with cheaper plinking ammo then 308 has access to surplus 7.62x51 nato. But cheaply manufactured full metal jacket bimetal bullet ammo shouldnt sway your decision for choosing a quality hunting rifle. Normal hunting 308 ammo is the same price as 270 or 3006

On the other end of the spectrum, the common match shooting cartridges have more of high end match ammo on the market. Some of the more hunting focused cartridges dont have as much following for match ammo selection.

If you get into reloading, none of that really matters so much. You can make quality ammo for cheaper in whatever cartridge you like.

[YYC338]

If you're OK with the action length of a .270 then if I were you I'd look at a .30-06. About as all round as you can get. Nothing sexy, just been getting done for over 100 years and you can find ammo just about anywhere except Safeway.

[PFKGSP]

I love my .270 from an all around standpoint. Accuracy, recoil, lightweight range and it is fine for any game you will ever hunt.

Don't have a lot of experience with the .308.

As someone else said I would look long and hard at a 7-08 for an all around gun.

[mulecrazy]

I would go 308. Main reasoning is it seems to be a fair bit more versatile when it comes to ammo selection. Going with the lighter grain bullets you will get comparible long range performance to the 270. However, you have more options with that 30 cal slug to put some heavier grained ammo down the pipe. This makes it much more desirable if you were to hunt Elk or moose. A 270 win will do anything you want it too including kill an elk or moose, its just not as ideal for the larger critters.

As for some of the other cartridges mentioned, ie) 6.5 creedmore or the 7-08. Although they are great calibres and effective rounds, they have their drawbacks. The main drawback is the ammo price and availability. There are not very many places outside of the major hunting stores that carry that ammo and you often times pay a premium. Any walmart or can tire will likely carry 270 and 308 ammo all the time. I shoot a 270 WSM and it can be a buggar sometimes to find the ammo I want. That is why I stocked up the last time I found the Accubonds. At $65/box I had some explaining to do that night. I love my 270 WSM but I pay for it every time I pull the trigger. Most of my practice happens with the wifes 243 up against my shoulder. I like the price of that ammo a lot better.

[58thecat]

30-06 for your do all get ammo anywhere cartridge.

[Prairiewolf]

Originally Posted by mattthegorby

Greetings all!

OK... have googled and suffering from information overload.

I am a newbie who is having a great time learning to shoot my .22. This summer I will be picking up a general purpose hunting rifle that has reasonably priced rounds. I want something deer capable that can also stretch up to elk if I get the opportunity in a couple years.

So, I know a bunch of calibers are going to work for this and was going to go with a .308. However, I am really enjoying just shooting and would like to try some longer distance stuff if I can get an outdoor range membership next year (struggle to do around Calgary area). I have read that .270 might be a better choice for longer range and still be capable in terms of a general game getter.

Appreciate any opinions.

Thanks!

Matt

First off, good on you for putting marksmanship first - not many (myself included) did that prior to jumping into a true big game rifle calibre and chambering.

Do you have any experience shooting larger calibres? If possible, try and get some in advance of your purchase. You're looking at two excellent chamberings in the 270 Win and the 308 Win. For practical hunting purposes, they're pretty close as far as recoil (for comparable mass rifles), cartridge cost, and performance out to ~250-300 yds (out to which you may never even shoot an animal). Don't let any of the above influence your purchase.

My money goes to the .308 Win (I have a Browning 308, though I've shot a 270 and like it too). The .308 has so many bullet grain options, cartridges are easy to come by and have a wide price gradient, is a short action (270 Win is long BTW), and is a more compact setup ideal for mountain hunting (which I like).

My guess is you'll buy whichever you get to shoot or whichever the gun shop happens to have available. And that's just fine.

Best of luck.

[mattthegorby]

Originally Posted by Prairiewolf

First off, good on you for putting marksmanship first - not many (myself included) did that prior to jumping into a true big game rifle calibre and chambering.

Do you have any experience shooting larger calibres? If possible, try and get some in advance of your purchase. You're looking at two excellent chamberings in the 270 Win and the 308 Win. For practical hunting purposes, they're pretty close as far as recoil (for comparable mass rifles), cartridge cost, and performance out to ~250-300 yds (out to which you may never even shoot an animal). Don't let any of the above influence your purchase.

My money goes to the .308 Win (I have a Browning 308, though I've shot a 270 and like it too). The .308 has so many bullet grain options, cartridges are easy to come by and have a wide price gradient, is a short action (270 Win is long BTW), and is a more compact setup ideal for mountain hunting (which I like).

My guess is you'll buy whichever you get to shoot or whichever the gun shop happens to have available. And that's just fine.

Best of luck.

Ya... I think I will have fun with either (or some of the other suggestions). Have to say that I have not given much thought to the long or short, but I am a hiking mountain kind of guy and hunting motivation for me is largely about the areas I will visit and miles I will put on my boots.

I have not shot much at all at larger calibers. Awhile back I shot a 30-06... remember thinking it wasn't as bad as much kick as I expected.

[mattthegorby]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the opinions and suggestions and PMs. I knew I would get some stuff that I wasn't considering, so I appreciate all the responses that answered me specifically and those that suggested I consider something else. Will likely drop the inevitable newbie what rifle to get thread, but will wait until I have the cash together and see what options are available.

[wildbill]

270

[outdoorsman12b]

Both calibers will be fine for your specified purposes. All to often I think people obsess over caliber instead of equipment. You can buy a 300 win mag in a savage axis and it won't shoot anywhere close to a higher quality rifle designed for distance shooting like the remington sendero. The 270 is valued as a "flat shooting" round as it can get you out to 300 yards with 130 grain factory load while holding centre. The 308 will get you out to about 260 yards with a 150 grain. The killing power of both rounds is pretty equal.

What you need to ask yourself is what do you want to accomplish with longer distance. The killing power of both rounds is max 500 yards (400 for elk) If you want to dial or use a bullet drop compensating reticle the debate between 270 or 308 does not really matter. The killing power at range does. If you want to stretch out farther than that you really should be considering magnums.

[mattthegorby]

Originally Posted by outdoorsman12b

Both calibers will be fine for your specified purposes. All to often I think people obsess over caliber instead of equipment. You can buy a 300 win mag in a savage axis and it won't shoot anywhere close to a higher quality rifle designed for distance shooting like the remington sendero. The 270 is valued as a "flat shooting" round as it can get you out to 300 yards with 130 grain factory load while holding centre. The 308 will get you out to about 260 yards with a 150 grain. The killing power of both rounds is pretty equal.

What you need to ask yourself is what do you want to accomplish with longer distance. The killing power of both rounds is max 500 yards (400 for elk) If you want to dial or use a bullet drop compensating reticle the debate between 270 or 308 does not really matter. The killing power at range does. If you want to stretch out farther than that you really should be considering magnums.

Good questions. As I will be going into my first season I will not be taking any long distance shots at any game at this point and I imagine this will not change for a couple years, if not more. That being said, I want to shoot paper increasingly far distances as my skills progress - but as an end to itself not to harvest animals at long distances.

[Xbolt7mm]

Originally Posted by mattthegorby

Good questions. As I will be going into my first season I will not be taking any long distance shots at any game at this point and I imagine this will not change for a couple years, if not more. That being said, I want to shoot paper increasingly far distances as my skills progress - but as an end to itself not to harvest animals at long distances.

Very smart, there are lots who say they kill out to that 500 plus range,,,very few actually do,,jus sayin. Pic your caliber/cartridge then match yourself to a gun and shoot lots. If your in calgary, i have a few you can shoulder or even come alone on a target shoot, spring is here so we will go out soon. I dont have either you are looking at but have some of the guns you could try,,i do have a 22-250, about the same as a 243 lol

["No Choke"Lord Walsingham]

I was looking into a .308 as they're phenomenal, now classic and I felt for a short action rifle. Instead, I found a good 270 WSM (all these WSM's are the .404 Jeff shortened to .308 Winchester length and necked down from .423 to whatever WSM, in this case .277) on sale locally and am looking forward to getting a couple Black Bears this year!

It's tremendous.