270 cal or 30-06 cal

I want to buy a new bolt action rife which would be the best all around gun between the 270 or 30-06 also which one has the most recoil will be using on deer , bear, boar ect any info would be a help Thanks SteveB..

For all practicle purposes, there is no difference. Buy the one you like better.

Steve,

I just found this. Remington has, at this link, a way to lay the ballistics of each cartridge next to each other to compare them side-by-side. It may help to answer your questions.

Chris is right in his response, in that there really isn't a practical difference. Except in versatility....

Max bullet weight in factory ammo for the .270 is 150 gr., per Federal. Max bullet for the .30-06 is 220 gr., per Federal ( http://www.federalcartridge.com/ammocat20.asp?s1=1)

However, if I were in the market to buy either one, I would consult a good reloading manual (Speer, Hornady or Nosler) first and get some background on each, and a better idea of each caliber's strong points and limitations.

Something to think about is the energy output of each cartridge. In a 165 gr. bullet,, the .30-06 in carries 2800 ft/lbs of energy, while the .270 carries 2355 ft/lbs of energy in a 150 gr. bullet, the largest bullet weight available from factory ammo. That extra ummph might come in handy for a long shot across a canyon at a large elk or mule deer.

If you hand load, or purchase the premium ammo, these days you can reach near magnum velocities and energy levels in the 06'. That might come in handy for that bear or thick-skinned boar. I can easily acheive 1/2' groups with my .30-06, and have no problems at 300 yrds with it.

Recoil is something to be dealt with on any gun. Best advice for either caliber is buy a recoil pad that you can wear at the range, so you don't pick up a flinch. When it comes time to hunt, you will still be used to it, but the one or two shots you take are not going to phase you as you have already become accustomed to the energy output of your firearm. Trust me, they work! If recoil really is an issue, then you might consider a .308 or .30-06 with a BOSS system attached (Browning Firearms). A buddy has one in 7mm Mag. and loves it.

BTW, what maker of firearm are you considering?

Good luck,

Both are versatile calibers with good factory bullet selection. Find a style that you like and a fit that's good, and go with whichever of these you like.

Factory loads will be available in slightly heavier selections with the 30.06, but that should not affect your choice with the game you

'Yes'.

Seriously, pick one and carry on.

The 30-'06 has the capability of firing a bullet of up to 220 grains. The numbers on the back of my envelope say the 30-'06 will have the bigger thump with that weight bullet and will also have the bigger thump with the 150- and 180-grain weights (assuming the same weight rifle and neglecting the contribution the powder gasses make to recoil).

The 270 firing 130 grain bullets for deer and 150s for everything else would be hard to beat. OTOH, a 30-'06 firing 180 grain bullets for everything would be hard to beat too.

Hi,

I'm gonna say the .30-06 simply because you have a wider variety of ammo available from more sources. If Jack O'Connor were still alive, he'd holler '.270!' As Chris said, probably not much difference (unless you're talking BIG bears.)

Get the rifle that fits you or has the best price and don't look back. You wont know the diff I shoot both and now a days one is as good as the other deer, bear and pigs.

Right you are, Sam. What really happened is that, with their 30-06s and 220gr. bullets, the old guys killed all but the armor plated Grizz's and Polar bears. Bill Van Houten (USA Ret)

Thermopylae had it's messenger of defeat, COME AND GET THEM ! The Alamo had none.

In europe those calibers are very popular too, my friend uses a .270 and i have a 7*64. On long distances the .270 is more accurate, but on wild boar i prefer my 7*64 with 170 grains Norma Vulcan wich is equivelant to some bullets of the 30-06 with kind regards from Holland H.T. Hoogenkamp

This old timer that used to be my neighbor in Alaska scoffed at my 375 because he killed a polar bear with his 30.06 back in the sixties. There just wasn't a need for anything bigger.