Well I'm an experienced marksman...begining in Military School. I have been shooting since I was 10. I have been using a Russian made Mosin Nagant in 7.62x54 Those of you that have shot this gun KNOW how powerful the rounds are. I took it to the range just to see how it compared to 30-06, .308, and .270. The .270 was the most accurate of the four. Inside 100m with iron sites I was able to consistantly put a 2.5 to 3.0" pattern. However, The 7.62x54 had BY FAR the greatest penetration. Next up in penetration was the .308 I shot through a peice of .5 inch buss steel from an electric transformer. It actually caved the metal in while cutting a nice hole clean through. The 30-06 and the .270 made dents in the steel, and the .308 made a deep dent with a see-through crack in the metal. In hardwoods where I hunt mostly, I dont need a scope inside 100m. The Mosin Nagant will literally gut a deer in the exit and knock it down fast. All tested bullets were copper coated FMJ, however, I hunt with soft tip. TIP: Get a Mosin Nagant...they retail for about 120-150$ and well worth every penny....average box of FMJ is 4-5$