308 or 270???
 

I'm looking in to buying a new rifle for Antelope, Deer and anything else that may present me the opertunity. Which one do you think is better and more reliable..

RE: 308 or 270???
 

I know there is alot of opinion on this one because both have already taken everything that can be taken. Can one do it better than an other? Don't know about that either. But what I do know is this: You said to take anything else that gets in your way. Well, if that means somewhere down the road running into some mighty big, tuff game on another continent then I would have to suggest the .308 win. Reason being is the bullet variety. There is such a huge selection of bullets styles and weights to cover anything from varmints to truly big game in the 30caliber. However, the .270 by consensus will shoot a little further and flatter. Good Luck but my choice would be the .308win.

RE: 308 or 270???
 

I think a valid argument could be made for either one. It's a win-win choice. My personal preferance is for accuracy over velocity/trajectory. The .308 has a reputation for being an accurate cartridge with a wide range of bullets, no matter what the gun. While the .270 can be just as accurate, it might be a little easier to achieve that with a .308. "You can't miss 'em fast enough to kill 'em".

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: 308 or 270???
 

Either will do a good job on NA game. I quess I would go with the 308 for a one rifle situation. I have both and thats a better option yet.

RE: 308 or 270???
 

Flip a coin!

RE: 308 or 270???
 

Both are great cartridges.It's a toss up. I personally like a 270 Win for deer.For bigger dangerious game I probably would go to the 308 only because of the bigger diameter bullet.My 270 has laid many a deer low and hope to lay allot more down with it..
Ruger Redhawk

RE: 308 or 270???
 

We shoot silouete (sp?) metal targets with the .308 out to 600 yds. The target at 600 yds is big horn ram. It has been great fun being able to twang the chicken at 200yd the bore at 300 yds etc. out to 600. The 270 may shoot a little flatter but past 300 - 350 yds you'll have to compensate for drop any way.

You can buy cheap .308 millitary ammo for plinking and practice or federal goldmedal match for driving nails. I've reloaded 130 gr hornadys that shoot fast and acurate. I say all this not owning a 270 but owning 2 .308s so I guess I'm biased.

RE: 308 or 270???
 

For deer, sheep, goats, pronghorn and animals under 400 pounds I'd prefer the .270. Ffor moose, elk, caribou, African plains game and other animals over 400 pounds I'd prefer the heavier bullets from the .308.

And of course, there's nothing majik about the 400 pound number...just a figure of speech.

RE: 308 or 270???
 

I'm kind of guessing that by "reliability", you're refering to each rounds' ability to get the job done, because as far as sure function goes, they'd be equal because it's based on your gun and ammo choice, not your cartridge.

Comparing these two cartridges is pretty much a waste of time-most hunters that only own one rifle that "does it all" would NEVER notice a difference in the two. Pretty much, other than the capabilities that the .308win has with heavy bullet, the two are identical in field performance...take my "hunting party" for example, I run a .30-06, my fiance runs a .308win, her brother runs a .270win, and a buddy of mine runs a 6.5x55swede (mauser), mine's a nudge for most powerful, the .308's almost a tie with me, and the other two pretty well tie for 3rd/4th, we knocked four deer out of a herd last season on one morning, we were all set up under the same pine on top of a ridge, the herd came out at 240yrds off, we whispered and agreed to wait until they came down to the river, which was about 200yrds off at the closest point that a trail met it, we picked whose deer was whose, and they came down, we knocked four deer into the mud, all with one shot, the exit wounds and trauma on each was almost the same, and all of them dropped within 15yrds of where they were hit.

For good hunters, either is capable of everything on the NA continent, although neither would be a first choice for the great bears, for most hunters (one rifle hunters for example, or those that only hunt deer species, maybe elk), they'll never notice the difference in the two.

Despite the fact that these two are pretty well evenly matched for deer, there are advantages to each vs. the other:

.270=flatter shooting for long range shooting (out to 600yrds-where the light bullets have lost a LOT of power)

.308win=more inherently accurate, slightly more powerful, and much more capable of heavier work because of its abilities with heavy bullets, .308win is a short action +you can also get a compact rifle in .308.

The only REALISTIC advantages are the .270's flat trajectory and the .308win's ability with heavy bullets...the .270win gives you a bit more leniancy with range estimation because it doesn't drop as quickly as the heavier, slower .308win, so when you shoot at a antelope at 300yrds that you thought was only at 250yrds, you might not miss. If you're planning on hunting elk, moose, caribou, sheep, goat, etc (heavier species), the .308win has an advantage because you can pack in heavier bullets, hunting moose with a .270win bullet at 130grns isn't comforting to most hunters, while the 180-200grn bullets of the .308win are a much better choice. The increased power of the .308win ties into this=when you're hunting deer, both are more than powerful enough so the .308's advantage is moot, while when you're going after something 300#+ (or tough species of sheep and goat), the .308win starts to pull ahead.

You can pick and choose from the above, or you can just pick which one you like better, you or your game will likely never notice the difference...hit a deer in the heart at 400yrds with the .270win and he's not going to look at his entry and exit wound and think, "that was only a .270, I don't think I'll die, but good thing it wasn't a .308!", he's just going to die.

RE: 308 or 270???
 

Gee Whiz Nomercy,I wonder if I'm one of the one rifle "does it all" hunters you're talking about?I'll keep this in mind and look for another "Does it all" rifle so I'll have two instead of just that one.LOL.
All jokes aside, I know what you're saying. Between the two there isn't that much difference.For bigger game I would go with the 308-30-06 and up.For deer size game you have to go along ways to beat a good old 270 Win.
Ruger Redhawk

RE: 308 or 270???
 

In this area where the deer and antelope are eating my trees and hay the only short action bullet you see is the 243 Winchester; the rounds you see is 25.06 for deer and antelope, 270, 280,30.06, and 7mm magnums for all game. You do see the 300 magnums but these are used mostly for elk and moose only. I use a 270 Winchester for deer and when I go for elk I load the 150gr Barnes X. You do not see to many 308 Winchesters here.Try the 280 Remington they seem to be an all round rifle.

RE: 308 or 270???
 

IF your fare includes pronghorn, I'd opt for the .270 due to the possibility of some real long shots at such critters. But if you can get within 300 yards of your quarry, the .308 is just as versatile. Either one is a very good choice!!

RE: 308 or 270???
 

I would pick the 270-winchester for deer & antelope. Larger game such as elk, bear & moose look at the 338-win mag.

RE: 308 or 270???
 

I'd agree that they are pretty much a toss up! I just prefer the .308 over the .270!
I'll admit I'm prejudiced though, I just do not like the .270!
It's a fine cartridge, I just don't like it, and I've always liked the .308!
It cracks me up when I read the gun guru's from the big gun rags, talk "minimum" caliber for elk. They usually say the .270, and rarely do they mention the .308!
The .308 will take anything the .270 will!
As I said, take your pick, they are both good! In fact, anything from 7MM-08 through 30-06 is'nt worth arguing over, for most situations!

RE: 308 or 270???
 

MIArcher21 - I love the .270 and have taken a lot of game with it. And I've owned two 308s and sold em both. I dispise the cartridge. The only game I ever lost was with the 308. I "lost" a nice buck and a dandy black bear because of this cartridge. I say lost because bothe these animals took off running after the shot and ran into another hunter. I'm not saying they wouldn't have been recovered by me, but I never had an animal go more than 50 yds. when hit with the 270. And every deer and antelope I shot, dropped where it stood.
If you're inclined to get a .30 caliber rifle, why not go with the 06. (Or even a 300 Win Mag or 300 WSM)

RE: 308 or 270???
 

flip a coin both are great. But I do prefer the 270 win. JMHO and really that is it. Just whatever floats your boat. If you just really would like one more than another get it they will both take care of what you want.


Brian

RE: 308 or 270???
 

Hey RR, glad you pointed that out-I didn't mean owning multiple rifles and only one that "does it all", I meant guys that only have on rifle period, and use that one for everything...I guess it was kind of hazy on that the way I wrote it.

RE: 308 or 270???
 

I like the coin flipping method.

RE: 308 or 270???
 

interesting views. I look at it this way. What has the greater range of bullets. That's the 308. Personally i bought a 30.06 mainly because of this. I can get 150 gr up to 220 gr.. the 308 has a good selection as well. That would be my choice due to the versitility. If you are a first time hunter or fairly new, you will probably like it and in no time at all by hunting bigger game. Why not have a better selection of loads to use. the .270 is a fine cartridge too, but 308 would be my choice.

RE: 308 or 270???
 

270

RE: 308 or 270???
 

I have one of each. For strictly deer on pipelines and clearcuts I like the 270. When I am up a tree in the woods or hunting hogs the 308 gets the call mainly because the rifle is shorter and handier in close quarters. Either cartridge is great. Flip a coin or get one of each.

RE: 308 or 270???
 

Going with the current trend of cartridges, I would buy the 30-06 short magnum (.308)
:D

RE: 308 or 270???
 

I flipped a coin and landed on the 270 but I'm going to see wich one comes along first. Then take a few shots to see wich one I like better.

RE: 308 or 270???
 

I shot them both, for what you mentioned you could easily flip a coin. Have you looked at the 30-06. It is a little more versitile load. I personally like a 30-06, just personal pref..

RE: 308 or 270???
 

i have two 308win's and used to own a 270win. for antelope ( even though i never hunted them ) i would probbally go with the 270win/ eve better the ( 280REM).
or even better the the 25-06rem

RE: 308 or 270???
 

i will not shoot past 250 yds and their is a lot of .308s up here, so i would go with that, if you are not one of the people than need high teck and lots of #'s go with what ever feels the best. they are both good guns