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?
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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
Yep, boringly accurate and reliable. 270 not bad either.Quote:
Originally Posted by EmpireSafaris
.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?
@Tentman. Sorry new to thisQuote:
Originally Posted by Hoover
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoover
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.
In all reality no difference really, I’ve had both. The upside of a 308 is a bigger choice of projectiles, and factory ammunition offerings. You can chop both off short if you want or shoot long range with either. The deer won’t notice the difference.
Combine the 2 and get a 30 06, run superformance ammo and get the best of both.
6.5 Creedmoor……
308 is a short action, 270 is a medium length action. Makes no difference on a Tikka but other rifles it will. That aside, pick the one you like the sound of the most and go forth.
What do your mates shoot?
If you ever forget your ammo you can bludge some off them.
Just buy what yr budget suits,both kill deer out to 500yds and anything else.
I have both:thumbsup:
It's the 308 for the win for me just because I like it !
They are both good and real world if your shooting less then 500m they are both close enough to just pick the first one that jumps at you or you can get the best deal on !
More bush hunting,maybe .308 if more open country maybe nudge towards.270. I love both but sold .308s and kept with 270. No regrets other than missing the BLR
308 All day.
It always cracks me up when people say get a "xxx" calibre because it's short action and therefore better than a 270/30-06 etc. then suggest to get a tikka :)Quote:
Originally Posted by stagstalker
I your gonna chop it get the .270,the recoil and the boom will harden you up real quick and you'll have a flame thrower all in one.
This is solid advice and was very thankful I had this advice when ammo got hard to get . four of my mates all used the same ammo made life easy asQuote:
Originally Posted by paremata
Buy a 308,there's 100rds of Hornady on here for sale.$50 pkt
I would get a .308 for the versatility. You can't shorten the .270s barrel like you can the .308. This matters in the NI bush...
Doesnt really Matter both Great calibers just a longer action on the 270.
270 with 150gn projectiles kicks with an unpleasant and sharp recoil impulse that feels like a 375H&H. The 270 would be my choice past 400m. I've owned both calibres though, and wouldn't go back to a 270.
270 & 308 are both very good. But consider the 30.06, it's betterrer. Lol
I own both.
My sako .270 with a 2.5-16x44 is my tops and bush-edge/farm shooting lightweight carry all day rifle. I've spent the time trying different 140grn factory ammo and ranges to be confident in shooting it, with dial-up, to 500+ yds. It's a 22" barrel and is an absolute tack driver and with a DPT suppressor the kick isn't that bad. It's too long for the bush but that is personal preference.
The savage axis .308 is my bush pig with 3-9x40 on it. It's a 16" barrel "lobber" of 150grn projectiles - having said that I am confident to shoot 350 yds with it as I have again spent time behind the rifle sorting out the hold-over /dial up for it. It uses the sam DPT suppressor with a different rear bush on it.
I am biased but I love the .270 and I'd have that rifle all day - it's beautiful to shoot and carry.
The .308 I could hit tent pegs in with it and it would still do everything that I want it to do.
Buy a .270 as a gun you'll keep forever, then save up and buy a cheap .308 bush pig - they are always for sale on TM for around $1000 bare-rifle around $1500 scoped and suppressed.
Find someone who has both and see if they will let you shoot some rounds with them. Then go to several gunshops if possible and shoulder as many as you can to see what fits you the best.
My first question is how much shooting or experience do you have with a big rifle?Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoover
Greetings,
This debate has been on going for 100 years now. At the start it was the .30-06 v .270 with the .308 replacing the .30-06 over time. Initially the flatter trajectory of the .270 tipped the balance in the .270's favour. In those days rifles were often shot with iron sights or basic scope sights and point blank range was an issue. Today with laser rang finders and dial up scopes the .308 has edged slightly ahead. Most .308 rifles with a 10" or faster twist will handle higher BC projectiles than the standard 10" twist in the .270 but the difference is marginal.
Around 50 years ago I was faced with the same decision. In the end the choice was made for a new Remington 700 in .308 for about $240.00 v a Winchester M70 (post 63) for about $30.00 more. Price alone was the decider and the rifle is still here. Dumb luck I suppose. My choice for a NI hunting rifle would be the .308 but I could be biased. If you get into the long range stuff you will almost certainly get a rifle for that purpose and it won't be a .270 and likely not a .308 either.
Best of luck and regards Grandpamac.