30 cal..all the way
First deer rifle…(.308 or .270)
- Thread starter Just1more
- Start date
Is 50 yards the the average distance?
Just as a twist, if 50yds is all you're going to shoot there are other choices; such as a lever gun in 45LC or 44mag. Granted the 308 ammo would likely be more available and be more versatile. But at close range even in brush those pistol cartridges are very effective. I've taken deer with them out to 130yds, they dropped right where they stood.
Conversely, I don't think the 270 Winchester has any advantage over the 308 if you're shooting yet normal deer hunting ranges of less than 200 or 250 yards.
I wouldn't consider the 270 to be the "better" caliber until you got past 500 yards where the less pronounced bullet drop could make a difference of several inches.
I wouldn't consider the 270 to be the "better" caliber until you got past 500 yards where the less pronounced bullet drop could make a difference of several inches.
Personally 30-06 over either 308 or 270.
You can load it to shoot about as flat as a 270 or thump something closer with a 200gr round.
Best all around deer gun there is IMHO
You can load it to shoot about as flat as a 270 or thump something closer with a 200gr round.
Best all around deer gun there is IMHO
Between the two I am definitely going with 308
I personally prefer 308 with heavy bullets for hunting. Plus I see a TON more ammo for 308 on the shelves than I do for 270. Just for ammo availability alone, I'd pick 308.
For perspective, I'm in different stores in different cities looking at ammo 2-4 times a week. (I travel a lot for work.) I see 1-2, if any, different brands/weights of 270 in most stores. Whereas for 308, I see several loads in several brands in every store. Prices are still pretty terrible for most of it though.
For perspective, I'm in different stores in different cities looking at ammo 2-4 times a week. (I travel a lot for work.) I see 1-2, if any, different brands/weights of 270 in most stores. Whereas for 308, I see several loads in several brands in every store. Prices are still pretty terrible for most of it though.
That's a valid point as far as most stores go. However, online I think 270 has great availability. Further, I have seen 270 available long after 308 has sold out during panic times. There is not a problem with availability for 270. That said, I encouraged 308 based on the OP's criteria. If I based ammo availability on a few gun stores, I'd have no idea what availability really looks like.
