.270 vs 30.06 vs .308

[valczer]

I, will ask a question that probably has been asked before lol

Here is the scenario:

Hunting moose, elk, deer and occasionally black or brown bear.

Distance up to 400 meters.

If you had to choose only one of the 3 in the title, which would you choose and why.

Or

Which one of the three you think is best for that scenario…you may be objective or subjective in your answers



P.S. take in considiration(you dont have to) shooting distance, reloading/factory ammo, stopping power( if there is such thing),and whatever else you may think of.

 

[Dukester]

308 over 270 because of moose elk. 308 anyways because of availability versatility.

 

[elKrusto]

A second vote for the 308. Shorter cartridge means shorter action (unless a tikka), which means shorter and lighter rifle.

 

[Jahnj0584]

30-06 is essentially a nerfed 308,400 less fps.
270 is something else. Shoots "flatter" but a 308 only has like 3.5" of drop from 100 to 200.

edit: sorry, i had 30-30 in my mind. 30-06 is a 308 with 50% more powder and kick.

 

[RightWingIndian]

I am a big fan of 270.

 

[IvoB]

308 been around a long time and has proven results

 

[DarkStalker]

because of elk 3006 or 308

 

[Suka]

I vote 30-06. Wide bullet choice, larger case size(powder capacity).

Have/had all 3. .270's great, 30-06's great, had a .308, personally wasn't a fan of the cartridge.

 

[valczer]

Ammo for 308 is a huge advantage…if you do not reload or are short on reloading supplies.

This year before my moose hunt, I tried to look for quality ammo for ether 270 or 3006 and nothing in stores except corelokts and such, if you are luck however, 308 you have shelves full f them lol

Finally, I found Hornady and got 2 last boxes, which was enough.

 

[156821]

30-06 is my choice. Handles heavier bullets for bigger game. Very versatile cartridge. Really you can’t go wrong with any of the 3.

 

[John_B]

My first moose was shot with a .308 and premium bullets and I used to have a 30-06 but sold it. Of your options, I'd prefer the 30-06 with a 180 grain premium bullet but personally prefer a .338 for moose - I think it is a better option for the moose, elk and bigger bears.

 

[gristle111]

30 cal bigger hole for your intended purpose. Of the two. 3006 if you're thinking up to 400yards. Its flatter apples for apples and can shoot heavier bullets more better!!

i like 308 cuz I can buy 1000rds of surplus for less than a buck a round and practice lots with it. The rifle you shoot best with is your best caliber for harvesting all things considered. IMO

 

[TheCoachZed]

.270

Hits hard enough to kill all North American big game ha daily.

Minimal recoil, so easier to shoot.

High velocity, less error at unknown distances.

 

[trebor2880]

30-06 is my choice. Handles heavier bullets for bigger game. Very versatile cartridge. Really you can’t go wrong with any of the 3.

I agree.

 

[Hmatt]

.308 if you’re gonna choose 1.

 

[Daver_II]

.308 for proven history and bullet choice.

.270 is more than capable as well for everything.

30-06 is a lot of gun for deer, but can be good as well.

Of the group? I would go .308.... or 270.

 

[WhelanLad]

I chose the 7mm-08 because it chose me in the end realistically...

i used the .270 winchester for a long time standard 130gr an accubond 140gr , needed 'more' gun for Sambar deer, went 35 whelen.... Could of easily went 30-06*....
used the whelen for ages, needed something lighter, found the .308 to do it all..........

needed a change , looking for something light in a kimber, only find a 7mm08....... stayed here.

later needed a lefty ** this is where i got The 30-06 vanilla....... its doing it all. easily.

proberly could of got a 30-06 after the .270 an called it good....
or could of got a 7mm-08 at the start an been real deadly with it..........


pick one bro....

 

[tokguy]

"Life is too short to shoot boring cartridges."
I stole that saying...but I think it applies.
Given my choice... I'd pick 308 win. Gets it done with little fanfare... but in truth it'd be a 7.65 x 53, maybe a 30-40 Krag around this household...like Panache I suppose. Don't really have many common cartridges...but a 308 is a gentle recoiling cartridge that still rocks it hard.
I've a 30-06 that I've not put a 20 pack through.
Uncle used to do nuisance work in Edson...270 was his Bear Medicine.
Much ado about Lil difference I think.
But enjoy yourself.

 

[bearhunter]

Sticking to the three choices, you really need to be careful, with all three of them at the 400 yard specified maximum difference.

All three of the cartridges mentioned will kill a Moose/Elk/Bear/Deer out to that range as long as the shooter does their part, especially regarding accuracy and bullet choice.

If you insist on taking, what IMHO is an unethcal shot out to 400 yards, my choice would be the 30-06 with 185-200 grain bullets, loaded for the best accuracy with the highest velocities you can handle.

Heavy bullets is where the 30-06 overcomes the 308Win. It has enough extended powder capacity to drive such bullets fast enough to keep trajectories within manageable/useful parameters.

The next choice would be the 270Win, again with long/heavy bullets, loaded for accuracy and the highest velocities you can handle.

With both cartridges, the 30-06 loaded with 200 grain bullets and the 270Win with 160 grain bullets you can quite easily and safely, depending on the make/model of your firearms, achieve 2900fps and IMHO, both will have achieve great penetration and proper expansion at the extended 400 yard range.

When it comes to heavy bullets, the 308Win is a bit of a laggard at long distances. With bullet weights of 165grain and under, it will easily equal the performances of the 30-06 and 270Win when all else is equal, especially barrel length.

Far to often people compare cartridge performance against other firearms with shorter or longer barrels. This is done by writers to get positive results for manufacturers, when they write articles about such things in magazines.

270Win, 160 gr bullet, 2900fps, 200yd zero = 20in drop at 400yds.

30-06, 200 gr bullet, 2700fps, 200yd zero = 20in drop at 400yds

308Win, 200 gr bullet, 2500fps, 200yd zero = 29in drop at 400yds.

All of these velocities can easily be achieved out of 24-26 inch barrels.

 

[murph83]

.308 with 150gr for deer and bear 180gr for elk and moose.