Rifle Caliber Recommendation - 270/308/30-06

[BayouBuck985]

Hey guys, I’m currently revamping my current arsenal by dealing away my Weatherby Mark V Fibermark S/S in 7mm Wby Mag along with my Bergara B-14 Hunter Wilderness in 6.5 Creedmoor to pursue a different caliber. I thought I was set on getting a .30-06, but I am now strongly considering a .308 or possibly .270 (since they appear to be ballistically similar out to 300 yards). It seems that a .308 would be a better choice for me than the .270 as most of my shots down south are usually all within 200 yards. This would be primarily for whitetail and hogs, but I was considering the .30-06 in the event I get to go elk hunting, but I did also just get a CVA Scout in .35 Whelen. Which caliber would you go with? I’m likely set on either a Browning A-Bolt or X-Bolt, Remington 700 CDL, or a Bergara B-14 (either the green Hunter model or the Timber model with the walnut stock).

 

[toad face]

They all do the same thing

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

Go with the .270

 

[MTLabrador]

.308, .270, or .30-06 are all perfect choices for your future elk hunt. I lean towards the .270 for sentimental reasons, and the .308 for practical reasons.

 

[BayouBuck985]

.308, .270, or .30-06 are all perfect choices for your future elk hunt. I lean towards the .270 for sentimental reasons, and the .308 for practical reasons.

It’s not like that elk trip will happen anytime soon, but I was a little surprised to hear that these are fine calibers for elk (except the .30-06). I’ve always heard that you need a .300 Win Mag or similar to take down elk.

 

[MTLabrador]

It’s not like that elk trip will happen anytime soon, but I was a little surprised to hear that these are fine calibers for elk (except the .30-06). I’ve always heard that you need a .300 Win Mag or similar to take down elk.

The .270, .308, .243, 7-08, etc are all great elk rifles.

 

[jbseamus83]

For what you are personally talking about with where you hunt and what you hunt, I would definitely lean .308. You have so many options of rifles and rifle setups, along with some of the cheapest rifle ammo you will find. For me, I would probably lean toward the .270, but I hunt out west and tend to have some shots that are a little longer poke. The .308 seems like a fantastic choice for you.

 

[brymoore]

It really doesn’t matter especially for 200 yard whitetails. I have all three calibers. I’d pick the 270 because I like that rifle the best, not because of the caliber.

Edit: I’ve killed a bunch of elk with 270 and had family/friends use the other two calibers. Elk all died quickly.

 

[Bill Zent]

The 30-06 for many reasons.

 

[Jnasa]

As others have said all three will do the job. I like all three cartridges and don't think you'll go wrong with any. I've killed elk with 270 and 308. For primarily deer I'd lean more towards 308 or 270. Partially depends if you prefer a short action or standard length.

 

[Wolfshead]

I primarily hunt whitetails, and at one time I was hoping to possibly hunt elk or moose.
I got a 30-06 with that in mind of hopefully hunting elk and/or moose.
With the price of hunting those currently I have relegated them to a dream.
With that said I have a 30-06, and a 308. I have not shot the 30-06 at all, in probably four years (?).
I use my 308 95% of the time hunting either the close thick woods (which I share my model 94 in 30-30), or on the AG fields we hunt.
It has some flexibility in bullet weight, from 130s up to 180s if you like.
I started with 150 grain accubonds at roughly 2900 fps, but have gone to the 130 grain Barnes ttsx at an average of 3170 fps.
Shot a Buck this fall with those at 270 yards and he dropped in his tracks.
Bottom line is get what YOU want.
All of those animals have been killed, and are still hunted with a longbow and arrow.

 

[Boarmaster]

I have all three for 25-40 years. If I had to keep one and toss the others I would keep the 270.
I am a southeastern whitetail hunter and I use a 270. Prefer my 7mm08 but no gripes with my 270.
I have had many rifle chambering and looking back I would buy one that worked really great for what I do 95% of the time. Great to me is a rifle that fits , is a pleasure to hold and shoot, lower recoil / kills deer deader than Elvis.
Buying a rifle for something I might do down the road isnt something I wouldn't do again. But if I was hell bent on buying a rifle for deer and elk at reasonable ranges the 270 will be great for that.

 

[TN2shot07]

I have and use all 3, the 30-06 least and 270 most over the last few years. The 270 works great and that’s what I chose when I put together a “do all” rifle. The 308 does have a small advantage in versatility and you can run it in a more compact package. It’s more about the bullet and where you put it anyway, pick one and get some trigger time.

 

[ccc23454]

They all do the same thing basically but I would 06 simply due to being able to load it up for hogs better than others.

 

[MS 9x56]

The 308 and 30-06 both have a wider range of bullet weights available than the 270. The army chose the 308 as a sniper rifle for very good reasons. You makes your choice and pays your money. Good luck with your choice.

 

[Steiny77]

Any of those three calibers are fine.
Get a high quality, good looking rifle with good optics and it will be a keeper.