Thread: .270 vs .308

About to purchase my first rifle. I know there’s lots of old posts on this but interested in hearing people’s opinions for (or against) each calibre?

What's your hunting style and ambitions?

in the real world both are damn good calibers -- the 308 would win points for being able to be produced in a shorter action than the .270- the 270 would win with an increase in its knock down ability - for me given the choice having used one the mighty .270 - in saying that 308 is my go to rifle - both have easy availability of ammo if you are not into reloading - many whizz bang calibres these days are just for reloaders - both have good resale - some of the modern whizz bang calibers very difficult to resell if you decide to change - now what you will get on here is a whole lot of they are old calibers this is better and so on - take no notice either 308 or 270 is a great caliber and the deer you shoot certainly wont be telling you which is better - pick your favourite shooter and get out there

308 is boring as hell, get the 270

Originally Posted by EmpireSafaris

308 is boring as hell, get the 270

Yep, boringly accurate and reliable. 270 not bad either.

.270 its a beast!if I had one rifle id take the .270 for the allrounder.at the end of the day the .308 will do it all pretty much but the .270 just has the extra hp.

308 has less recoil and relatively cheap ammunition.

I've only ever owned 1 centre fire. And that's .308 which hasn't let me down.
Convincing factors at the time were length of action, inherently accurate. My sako doesn't have a drop out mag so I also like that it holds 5 rounds.
There seems to be a broader range of projectiles on offer for .308.
Either caliber is going to knock deer over if you place your shot.
Neither caliber will knock deer over when you're sat at home and the rifle is in the gun safe.

Wicked input, thanks everyone

I’m based in NI and don’t really have access to private land so mostly bush hunting on public land at this stage I guess?

Originally Posted by Hoover

I’m based in NI and don’t really have access to private land so mostly bush hunting on public land at this stage I guess?

@Tentman. Sorry new to this

Toss a coin.

Heads .308 and 5% of the time a it won’t be as good as a.270 but not so much worse that you loose the animal.

Tails .270 and 4-6% of the time, .308 would have been a little bit better.

30-06...bigger than one and better than the other.

Originally Posted by Hoover

@Tentman. Sorry new to this

No worries. For bush hunting a shortish barrel 308 of around 18" will be much nicer to shoot than the same length 270, and will still take deer to 400M+ if you start hunting slips.

If you a deer shooter,270 -308 will do inside 330yds without bugger all dial up.If you are into bit more long range hunting 400-600yds.270 got the legs and energy.I have had 308s for 20yrs,easy to get ammo for,and got knock down deer no problem out to 430yds.Just get what yr budget suits and buy a good scope and rings.Enjoy.