keyshunter

Bobby,
Perhaps you should not be so dogmatic about your girlfriend's rifle selection.

Let me tell you a story. My wife hunted for years and killed many whitetails with her Marlin .30-30. She has also used my .270 and .30-06 and killed deer with both. Last year she decided that she wanted a new rifle. When I asked what caliber, she said ".270." She had made up her mind, and I did not interfere. She found a very nice .270 Rem 700 BDL. She loves this gun, and shoots it like a house afire. This accurate shooting is very important, since accuracy begets confidence. which begets accuracy, which... you get the point.

I have hunted over much of the US during the past 49 years, and have killed whitetails, mule deer, elk and antelope with both calibers. I give a slight nod to the .30-06, but there is nothing (except possibly a grizzly) that walks in the lower 48 that cannot be dispatched quite handily with a .270.

semi

I would choose 30.06.. more bullet choices, and more of a gun if you decide to use it for bigger game. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but the 3006 is a fine caliber. ONe thing i noticed is that when i hunt in the brush, the heavier bullet "185" grain, won't deflect as much as a 130 gr bullet in a 270 when going thru brush.. I know all bullets will deflect but i have been able to shoot better while nicking a branch than my hunting partner with his 270. He has hunted for a long time and will only take the shot if it's perfectly wide open. I guess he has defected in the past.

eldeguello

I thought this was resolved by Jack O'Connor and COL T. Whelen 75 years ago!!

I have used both on deer and black bears, and believe me, I have been unable to tell if one is better than the other, when using bullets of identical construction and identical sectional density!! The '06 might be marginally better for Alaskan brownies or Polar Bear, but I'd use a .375 H&H for these!![&:]

diyj98

Either one will do 99% of anything the other will do. You didn't tell us what you intended to use the rifle for, but don't see a lot of difference between them. If I were planning on hunting elk I would side with the 30-06, but for whitetail, black bears, etc, either one will work.

James B

I love both calibers and have had several of each. For anything short of browns and grizzly bears, the 270 would be my choice. Oconnor killed the big bears with it as well but for those I would pick then 30-06 with 250 grain Barnes bullets.

Doe Dumper

I have both in bolt and auto and if you blindfolded me I probably couldnt tell the difference when shooting either. How could you go wrong with either? Follow your gut and take your pick cause theres not enough difference in them to sweat it. Theres a reason they are both so popular.

m2fin

Both should fit the requirement. Both have a similar level of felt recoil.

I have used my 30.06 Win 70 for decades with solid performance. In the past few years have done a lot more reading/research and found more that I did not know regarding cartridges, calibers, and intended use (game). Key is knowing the requirement, current and future and selecting the caliber based on the general intent - size/weight, thickness of skin (not as much a requirement in North America) and terrain. From that make your selection, you can spend days reading the pros/cons of each caliber without getting into even the beginning of opinions.

Compare the ballistics - http://www.remington.com/ammo/ballistics/ballistics.htm great on-line resource to compare 'similar weight bullets' - granted this is factory ammo, but will provide a great source of info.

Whatever rifle your looking at probably is offered in both calibers.

Best luck.

SnoBall57

I HAD a .270

I STILL HAVE a 30-06!

'nough said!

ELKampMaster

Since you have already indicated that a 270 is what you are sold on I think that is what you should use, especially if deer is what is on your menu.

Personally I'd opt for the 30-06 (even though a 270 was my very first rifle).
FYI, We don't have 270's in our elk camp.

EKM

bigcountry

Every gunnut should have at least a 270Win or 30-06 or both. Animals won't know much different when hit.