BETTER CALIBER 270 win OR 30-06

[atvrider465]

I have a270 win but was wondering if the 30-06 is a better all around gun. The main thing I hunt right now is deer but wont to go after elk next year & I don't Know what one would be the better gun? Thanks for the help.

[lunchbox]

I have a friend that hunts elk and he uses the 270.

[dougedwards]

In my opinion, choosing the right bullet is more critical than the choice between these two calibers for deer and elk.

Doug

[ozark]

I agree with Doug and can only add that bullet placement is critical with all calibers. Both are excellent choices and you may fail them but they wont fail you. I would suggest 150 grain bullet weight for the 30-06 and a 130 grain for the 270. Over the counter ammo is excellent and I personally like the Remington Core Lok.

[whelenman]

If you're thinking about getting a second rifle rather than go so close to the 270 with the 30-06 why not go with my favorite....the 35 Whelen. I'm prejudiced though. That way you'd have a broader range of coverage and the Whelen would make an ideal rifle for the larger than deer game without getting into a whole heap of recoil. A good 225 grain bullet like the Sierra and you're good to go for either elk or deer.

[atvrider465]

I know shot placement is the most important part. I think I asked the wrong question what I was wanting to know is between the to of them witch one has the best selection of factory ammo available? If you could only have one gun witch one would you go with? thank you for the help

[ozark]

I might flip a coin but if I had to make a choice I would take the 30-06. But I would not be critical of the .270. It is close to a 6 of one and a half dozen in the other. Maybe a little better choice of ammo over the counter for the 06.

[jims]

Both would do what you ask, I would slightly favor the 06 however.

[whelenman]

If only one rifle hunting deer I would go with the .270. If hunting deer and elk, I would go with the 30-06.

[Tarheel]

If I had a 270 and was considering buying another rifle I would consider a 7mm or 300 mag especially if I was thinking of going elk hunting. Not that the 270 wouldn't work.

[mike3132]

06 has the better ammo selection and usually easier to find. Either round would be a good choice. Mike

[john55]

For elk hunting I much prefer the '06 with premium 180gr bullets. I've hunted with both for a lot of years and each has it's merits, the 270 being nearly the perfect deer cartridge, IMO. It will work on elk too, but it's on the light side. For one rifle to be used on most anything, the 30cal is the one to beat...especially if it's a 300mag of some persuasion.

[pposey]

If you have to have just one,,,, 30-06 is better for elk with a 180 grain bullet, more ammo choises as well, but a .270 will kill a elk just fine with a well made 150 grain pill,,, heck I'd elk hunt with my 7mm-08 and a well made bullet of 140-150 grains, or if hunting timber my old 30-40 krag and a 180 grainer.

[cfvickers]

Both. Each is better than the other in the right circumstance. If you may want to include small game as well as big game, the .270 is best suited for those purposes. If you want something with cheap, easy to find ammo anywhere in the world and is suitable for all but the very largest game animals in the world at reasonable range, the 30-06 would be the ticket, but you are more limited in varmint bullets. I am not pushing the 30-06, it is far too common and I prefer more purpose built cartridges, I do not, and do not intend, to ever own one. But it is a very capable cartridge.

[joe21a]

The 30 cal. has the best selection of ammo 55 grain all the way up to 220. The 270 is pretty much the same case necked down, so to me the bullet selection is the selling point. Do you reload? If yes look in to some of the newer short action 308, 300short mag. Because of the design of these cartg. they use some of the new powder quite well. The little 308 will out preform the 30-06 up to 165 gr bullet, after that the 06 starts to do a little better.

[dans]

I own three 270s and two 30-06s. As an all around do it all caliber I would pick the 06. It will deliver heavier bullets for large game which I feel is a decided advantage over the 270. I would want a good premium 180 or 200 grain bullet for elk. The 30-06 will deliver. If I were going elk hunting tomorrow and were in your shoes looking to buy a new rifle. I would get a 300 win mag and shoot those same premium bullets a little faster and with more energy. My 300 mag Ruger all weather really deliveres.