.308, 30-06, or .270

quamnet

I am going to buy a new hunting rifle and I am undecided on what I want to buy. I will be using it for whitetails mostly, maybe larger game eventually. Which caliber of the three should I get. I am looking at a Springfield Model 742 (30-06) right now. What are the PROS and CONS of each one and which one would you reccommend? The biggest problem I've heard is that the Remington 30-06 jams a lot. Thanks a lot for your imput.

Tailgunner1954

Each of the 3 you mentioned will do the job anywhere in the americas (but I would want something a little bigger for the big bears, like my 416 Rigby) My personal preferance is for a bolt action rifle. Winchester Remington Savage Rugar CZ are all good

jeenyes

I would go with the 30-06. You can load up or down and with the hornady light mag it will take some pretty big game.

Darin Sperling

Take the time to look into the SIG SHR 970. SIG guarantees accuracy out of the box (it escapes what number). You can also change calibers by changing barrels. I bought my original in .270 and then bought a .308 barrel. A very good gun out of the box. My only complaint is the stock felt a little strange the first time I shot it. The stock is probably dimensionally different from an American made gun.

Rosie

I didn't know there was any other caliber than the 30-06! Rosie

RUGERNUT3

Browning Medallion (spell?) not diggin out the manual to ck. in .06... or an .06, but then you could go with an .06..........

---

"ANY" EXCUSE IS A GOOD REASON TO BUY "JUST 1 MORE".& VICIE-VERSIE!

TED GAR

All three calibers are good. I own three 30-06, BUT>>>> my 308 doesnt know any better, and it ballistically equivalent to the 30-06. You see the 308 uses quick burning powder, and the 30-06 uses slow burning powder. The two shoot the same to me. Okay..later, yall be careful.

hyperdrive

What can't you do with a 30-06 ? 125gr spitizers will varmit, 220gr's will knock down just about anything it hits, well maybe not elephants !!!

hyperdrive

Is there anything a 30-06 can't do ??? 125gr. sptizers will varmit, 220grs. will knockdown anything it hits !!! Wellmaybe not an elephant at 200yrds. Don't know, haven't tried !!

roysha

270 WIN270 WIN270 WINIt will do anything a 30-06 can do except shoot 30 cal bullets and will beat the 308 in any category you choose, all things being equal.

TED GAR

Hey you snipers, out there... I here, that a sniper, can knock out your lights at 1000yds, in 308. Is the 270, as good? I am just wanting to know what the snipers think?

turbo

American Rifleman conducted a test to try to determine which of these calibers and others where best for heavy brush, awhile back, I remember reading the results which confirmed what has been known for many years and is probably one of the reasons why the 30-06 Springfield has been undoubtedly the most flexible, useful, all-round big game cartridge, available to the serious hunter in north america.Of the fifty or so, test firings ranging from the 55 grain 223 Rem, to the heaviest tested which was the 405 grain 45-70 Govt, the 06 was well represented from 150 to 220 grain bullet weight, with good results.The test was made to determine deflection (in inches) at a fixed distance of 50 yards from the muzzle. At the top of the least was the trusty 30-06 Springfield 150 grain FMJ @2740 f.p.s, being bested by the five other Cartridges (223 55 grain, 7mm Rem 150 grain, 30 Cal 110 grain, 375 H&H Mag 300 grain).At 50 yards the deflection in inches with no, bullet expansion or loss of stability the 30-06 was measured with a max of 6.5" and a mean of 2.9" after a five shot salvo.The 308 150 FMJ @ 2808 f.p.s results were a max deflection of 4.8" and a mean 3.6" with loss of stability.(the reason for the difference between max and mean deflection)The 270 Win 130 grain @ 3060 f.p.s Silvertip (ST) results were, max deflection 5.8" and a mean 3.4 with loss of stability.An inch doesn't mean much at 50 yards, but at 150 yards that translates into 3 inches, it could mean the difference between a clean kill, and having to track your deer a couple of hours.Most of the 06 firing results were unremarkable, while the 308 results showed slight to moderate bullet expansion, with loss of stability.The 270 ranged from slight to major bullet expansion, loss of stability and fragmentation.There are other advantages the 30-06 have over both of these other cartridges, the most notable is the range of bullet weights that this legendary catridge is able to load, with it's dependable results.For the money the 30-06, will deliver more options for the money than any other cartridge available today. Why purchase two or more, rifles to do the job one rifle with the right cartridge can do? [This message has been edited by turbo (edited 03-07-2002).][This message has been edited by turbo (edited 03-10-2002).]

TLynn

30-06 hands down for your purchase.But which Remington 30-06 has jamming problems? My Remington 700 does just fine.[This message has been edited by TLynn (edited 03-08-2002).]

218Beekeep

I`m dyin` ta say it...but I won`t. .218

Big Sky Redneck

The best thing to happen to a .308 was when somebody decided to neck it down and plug it with a .284 bullet. 7mm-08, awsome little thing it is.

218Beekeep

Right on,dude....the littler the better!.218

smokinggun

Turbo, It seems to me that the 30-06 should be a little faster(about 200fps) than the 308, but the test shows it a little slower. I was curious if it is a misprint? quamnet,I like all of the cartridges mentioned, but I think the 30-06 is the most versatile and probably the best for you.smokinggun[This message has been edited by smokinggun (edited 03-08-2002).]

turbo

Smokingun,I looked up the article, it didn't go into powder, loads, so it's hard to say.I just thought I'd share the article, since inevidently anyone that hunts, will fire a shot in brush occasionally and it's good to know something about your equipment before you buy.These cartridges are all good choices for hunting in our country, and I wouldn't be ashamed of using any of them, but for versatility I'll take the 06 any day of the week.The rest is just plain ole preference.

TED GAR

Yep, better just buy what you want, or you wont be happy. I have too many guns to even think about. Last year I shot an 8 point buck, with a 223 in 45 grain. The little woodchuck load knocked him deader that a doornail, at 200 yards in the neck. They are all good or they wouldnt sell them.. Okay later, and yall be careful.

Bushy AR

My personal choice is the .308,otherwise known as 7.62 NATO.You can go anywhere in the world and still find ammo.Can the other calibers be found as readily?All have their ups and downs I realize,but the fact remains that you can fly with a weapon locked in a case,but ammo is forbidden.

bullhauler

buy a 300wsm. will kill anything that walks from deer to large game to anything shy of a cape buffalo or elephant.

Big Sky Redneck

Ted , ta better watch talking about the .223, there is someone here that thinks that a .223 won't kill a flea. I personally love the .223 and have killed an awful lot of critters with it, infact for most of the farm activities the .223 is the gun of choice. In the right hands a .223 will do anything a larger cal will do on average sized game. I personaly like the 55g bal tip,deadly.

Mr. Lobo

I have a Remington 7400 30-06 semi-auto. I am using factory loads for now. I plan on reloading for this rifle soon. From what I have been told as long as I measure, measure, measure I will have no problems. I think that the jamming problems were in the older models or in rifles that were not properly cleaned. I am very happy with my 7400 and plan on taking it to Wyoming again this year for deer season.Jim