Posted on 05/28/2006 7:15:50 AM PDT by Bear_Slayer
My son is stepping up from .243 to a larger caliber hunting rifle.
The goal is to shoot deer and elk at farther distances.
His friend shoots .270 and my son has it in his mind that this is what he wants too.
I've owned and prefer the .30/06 and know little about the 270.
I do understand that the cartridge is the same as the 06 but not sure how that effects it in any real world situation.
I grew up in Western PA where we've got some good sized whitetail and shots range from up-front brush close to open gasline roads and old strip mines where shots of 300+ meters are available for those willing to take them ('though I would typically discourage as much for the sake of the game unless one is highly confident in one's ability, one's rifle and one's ammunition). I learned to hunt with a Savage 99 in .308 which never failed me, and although that rifle and Pennsylvania are both distant memories, that rifle has still dropped more whitetail than anyother firearm I've ever owned, and is possibly the ideal Western PA set-up.
The thing to remember in this situation is that the .270 Winchester is simply a necked down 30/06 Springfield. The ballistics are virtually one in the same. It goes hand in hand with the .280 Remington as well. That said...a 30/06 would be probably the best all around cartridge for any North American game animals. Capable of being loaded from the light 100 or so grain varmint bullets, the 150 to 180 grainers for deer, the larger controlled expansion used on Elk with the largest 220 or so grains for Moose. More bullet/powder combinations are available for this cartridge than you can count. Why choose the limitations inherent in a .270 when you can have it all with the '06, the same case with a greater range of loading options. I personally use the 7mmRemMag for reasons that are purely aesthetic and nostalgic. It was debuted in 1962 along with the Model 700. The same year I was born and have used one my entire life. My other choices are my .308 and 30/06 and on occasion, my 45/70.The 7mmMag has nothing on the 30/06 in general.Just a matter of preference or perhaps nostalgia,which should play a large part in choosing a cartridge/firearm combination, as any of them are likely to do the job you set out to do.
It seems that he would be ok with either rifle.
I just love my Winchester Model 100 .308. It has an old Redfield wide angle scope, and is probably the smoothest shooting rifle I have ever owned. But, that 7mm Mag will put a hurtin' on things that look like specks in the distance.
How old is he? What is his build? The reason I ask is that a lot of people here are basing the decision on him being a kid. I was considered a kid at age 14 when I got my 30-.06 and I was thin (5'8" & 100 lbs. give or take a few lbs.). I had no problem shooting the gun, in fact I still have the target from the first sight in (one large ragged hole). Not bad for a semi-auto with over/under rings.
Going on 15. Fair height. Slim build. He has shot my .30/06 and I think he is comfortable with either caliber.
Sounds a lot like what I was at that age. If he can handle either, then I guess there are only a couple of things to think about; is one cheaper than the other (gun/ammo), will it be used for other animals (start considering bullet weight ranges).
If you still have your .30/06, you may want to consider getting him one, you could get into reloading, save some money there, and have one set of dies for both rifles.
I am not trying to steer you towards the .30/06, just pointing out some things to think about as both are great rounds.
I've got an extra Rem 870 I'm hoping to trade for a Remington 721. I'm looking for a project gun I can turn into a long range shooter. my son is leaning towards the .30/06 so it would be good to have matching calibers.
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