Any point in 30-06 over .270 for lighter bullets?

[kurl]

G'day all,

I'm looking at a new hunting rifle to cover everything in Victoria.

Vic laws here for the big 3 deer are minimum .270 calibre and 130gr bullets, so this is what I'm looking at.

I also have a mate with a .270 Tikka who has a load worked up with 130gr Nosler Ballistic tips which I can copy if I go down that road. So that's handy.

If I'm only looking at shooting around the 130gr - 140gr range of bullets. Is there any reason to look at the big brother 30-06 over the neck down .270?

As best I can tell, the lighter end of the bullet scale is all I'll be wanting to shoot. There are no water buffalo in Victoria

The 30-06 is just about launching heavier bullets, right?

[bobnob]

Hello Kurl,

I have both 30-06 and 270 Win in the same model and configuration rifle. Really if all you are shooting is deer and pigs the 270 will do all you need and more. I shoot mainly 130s in my 270 and 180s in the 30-06 just to differentiate them, but you could run 150s in either and not know the difference.

130 grainers in the 270 is a whole lot of gun and will shoot flatter and recoil less than the 30-06. I have heard people say they think the 270 kicks more than the 30-06 but that's nonsense.

I have spent a good bit of time with both on tne bench the last few weeks and I can tell you when loaded with good strong handloads you really notice the 30-06 when it is shooting 180 grainers.

Good luck.

- Bob

[yoshie]

The only real advantage of the 30-06 is bullet selection. 100g to 220g. If your going to play around with multiple bullet weights maybe the '06 is up your alley, most shooters will settle however. I have a 30-06 and I got sick of adjusting my scope everytime I changed between 150s and 180s so I bought a 9.3x62. I could have stuck with the 180s and got a 270 and run 130s just as well. Pick either they are both great cals. Better yet get a 9.3 as well, they're a hoot!!

[wrenchman]

You could start a fight by asking this same question in some camps lol but they are both great.

[Old Fart]

I have heard people say they think the 270 kicks more than the 30-06 but that's nonsense.

Agreed that its nonsense.

A lighter/faster projectile can certainly have a bit more boom/crack on a few calibres but not recoil.

Anyone who reckons a 130gr .270 recoils more than a 180gr 30-06 cartridge obviously hasn't shot both of them.

[Lorgar]

I'd go with the .270 as well.

If ballistic tips are your pill, they do a 150gr for the .270 anyway if you wanted something with more weight.

That's plenty for anything in Victoria.

[SendIt]

As best I can tell, the lighter end of the bullet scale is all I'll be wanting to shoot. There are no water buffalo in Victoria

.270 sounds like the right calibre for you IMO.

30-06 is mostly at home in the 180-200gr pill range in my experience.

No point in buying this and then shooting 130gr pills... The BC will be very ordinary.

Better sticking with the longer .270 pills. Same weight, better performance, save yourself the recoil of the heavier stuff which you don't need.

[yoshie]

"30-06 is mostly at home in the 180-200gr pill range in my experience."

I'd say 150 to 180, the 300WM is 180 to 220. The problem is 270 and 30.06 over lap.

[SendIt]

I might have overstated that a bit. Probably better to say 200gr in closer to the ceiling for the 30-06, not the average.

I will correct my previous comment to say 30-06 is mostly at home around the 180gr weight. That is definitely true in my experience.

A bit of overlap yes.

130gr - 150gr BT for the .270 and 125gr - 180gr for the 30-06.

Dunno who the hell would be shooting 125gr pills in their 30-06 though?

Fairer to say the choice is between 130-150 for the .270 and 150-180 for the 30-06 I think.

Given the info OP has provided I'm still casting my vote for .270.

[yoshie]

Yeah I would have to agree. As to the op's first question, no, no real point. The 270 will do everything you need and more.

[kurl]

Cheers mates.

.270 it is.