.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.

reb8600

I like the 270 myself. I am not one that believes you need a big gun. My remington model 721 has killed a lot of mule deer and elk. It is a great shooting gun and would work great on white tail or anything else you want to hunt.It will shoot any range that you can effectively hit your target.

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Guncontrol-The ability to hit what your aiming at.

dheffley

Of the cartridegs you named, 30.06 is the superior cartridge in all areas as well as have the largest selection of ammo available off of the shelf. It would be my choice hands down for any bolt action rifle. The .270 would be my next choice for bolt action, and the .308 would be my top choice for a semi-auto fed rifle. The .308 seems to be one of the most powerful short case length round with ballistic approaching the 30.06. The shorter case rounds seem to feed better with less jams. The M1 Garand is the exception to that rule. It very seldom malfunctions and is 30.06 caliber.

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Sage

You can't go wrong with any of these for whitetail. For larger game the .270 and 06 would probably be better. I believe the 06 may have more of a bullet selection to chose from (though I hunt with a .270). Any modern bolt action should do the job, I prefer the old model 70's, but a model 700 is a good choice too.

ericthered

I agree completely with dheffleyThe 3006 is a really great cartridge and you can load it with very light fast bullets, or big heavy bullets, whatever job you want done. When I was a kid, I tested my weapons to see what they would do. The 3006 or 30 cal will put a hole right thru 1/4 steel plate and then break 2x4s behind that. It doesn't matter what kind of bullet either. I tried armour piercing, lead tip, m2 ball, or silver tip. Every kind of bullet I could get. No good for house protection though. It would go thru too many houses, even if you hit your attacker dead center. That is one versitile and powerful cartridge.Hope that helpsEric

ericthered

I agree completely with dheffleyThe 3006 is a really great cartridge and you can load it with very light fast bullets, or big heavy bullets, whatever job you want done. When I was a kid, I tested my weapons to see what they would do. The 3006 or 30 cal will put a hole right thru 1/4 steel plate and then break 2x4s behind that. It doesn't matter what kind of bullet either. I tried armour piercing, lead tip, m2 ball, or silver tip. Every kind of bullet I could get. No good for house protection though. It would go thru too many houses, even if you hit your attacker dead center. That is one versitile and powerful cartridge.Hope that helpsEric

ericthered

I agree completely with dheffleyThe 3006 is a really great cartridge and you can load it with very light fast bullets, or big heavy bullets, whatever job you want done. When I was a kid, I tested my weapons to see what they would do. The 3006 or 30 cal will put a hole right thru 1/4 steel plate and then break 2x4s behind that. It doesn't matter what kind of bullet either. I tried armour piercing, lead tip, m2 ball, or silver tip. Every kind of bullet I could get. No good for house protection though. It would go thru too many houses, even if you hit your attacker dead center. That is one versitile and powerful cartridge.Hope that helpsEric

CAndres35

i agre mostly but? i love the 270 and can get factory ammo off the shelf from 100gr to 150gr with no problem. 100gr small enough for gronhog and coyote and 150gr big enough for any deer and elk out to 150 yrds. also doesent recoil as much as 30/06. just my 2cnts. carl

rsnyder55

Remember when choosing a caliber for the range of weights that the rifle has a set rifling and it will group best with one weight. My 30-06 cloverleafs 180 gr bullets, but is only so-so with the other weights.While I primarily shoot the .30 calibers, 308. 30-06, 300Win Mag amd 300WM. For general use, I believe a .270 is probably best for most shooters who are choosing their first rifle or will have a limited number of rifles.

11echo

06 is the way to go IF you are going to have only one rifle! You'll be able to find ammo for it anywhere. And you'll be able to get it with bullets form 110gr.s to 220gr.s (which will handel any north American game). the ONLY "iffy" thing about it is recoil. The .308 is alot milder, but you lose the range capabilities. Don't get me wrong, I love the .270 also, flat shooting & and ammo is easy to find too (got one myself). But for a one gun operation, 30-06 is the way to go ...no brainer!!!*G* My Opinion ...Mark

Shootist3006

There is only one real option - go with the 30-06! It is the most versatile and powerful of the choices listed. Ammo is available EVERYWHERE in an almost unlimited variety. Some have cautioned you about recoil and I wonder just what calibers they shoot (most likely .22). Recoil becomes a factor as you move up in power and a concern at Weatherby .340 levels and up. At the 30-06 level, it is not a factor or a concern, esp. with the recoil pads now available.

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aby80

I have all three and would not say one is better than another. With bullets weighting less than 180 grains I can't tell the difference in recoil as the weight of all three guns are similar. They are all good for game including Elk.