270 WSM vs. 30-06

[300]

I am looking for a light kicker rifle that will also be suitable for moose and elk, but mostly deer. I haven't shot further than 500 yards, but if the situation required it would be nice to be able to reach out to 700.. which would then mean going for the 270. I hunt mostly interior BC, so 700 yard shots would be rare. The 150 grain hornady superformance are pushing 3100 fps out of the 30-06, pretty darn close to what the 270 is shooting. I can also load up heavier 180 or 200 grain bullets for the 30-06 which is nice. So what are your thoughts? Recoil is a big factor for me too.. from what I hear the 270 is just a hair snortier.

PS. I would buy a Tikka.. those guns are beautiful!

[4pointhunter]

i have the tikka t3lite 270wsm i love it, chronograph the bullets this year at 3300fps works out to 10'' drop at 450yrds with horniday sst 140's

at 700yrds it would have 75'' drop

[Jonas111]

After doing research for quite a while I have three calibers that I would use for my hunting style. I chose these three calibers keeping into consideration recoil, trajectory and killing power to 500 yards. The 270, 280 and the 6.5-284 top the charts for what I was looking for.

Ive owned a 270 for quite a few years and it's hard to beat but I just love the 6.5-284. The 6.5-284 has a little less recoil then the 270 so I am using it as my primary hunting rifle right now. I am going to buy a similar gun in 270 as well. I am shooting 120gr TTSX right now but most likely going to switch to a 140gr VLD or Accubond.

I would get one of those three calibers and you will be in good shape. No magnums needed with good shot placement. Good luck.

[squamishhunter]

270 took my first moose at 300yds when I was 16. 2 heart shots within 2 inches of each other. (Speaking for the accuracy of the calibre)Shooting a 7mm mag now.

[Davey Crockett]

I hope your 500-700 yard plans include a lot of practice. If you ever get a chance to shoot a 700yd gong, you may be surprised at how hard it is to hit. Your 1 moa rifle will have a 7 inch group at best. Throw in calculation error (wind, humidity and velocity) and the fact that at that distance, the target is tiny and you will likely find that you are lucky to hit it.

If you are worried about recoil, either will be fine. Just don't go with a really light gun. I vote for the 270 wizzum. It's more fun to say.

[recoil]

I have a 30-06 and my partner uses a 270, i think mine kicks a bit harder but his is definately louder. Although the 270 makes a noticeably smaller hole in paper it hammers game just as hard as my 30-06. If you dont care about cost of ammo the 270wsm would be awesome on those long shots i would buy one in a heartbeat for moose/elk/deer.

[Jagermeister]

700 yard shots eh? Not much of a hunter.......I suspect not much of a shooter either.......
Now before you get on your high horse, remember, you said, "So what are your thoughts?"
I just gave you mine.

[Dutch Ppoacher]

premium grade ammo is the same value for both cals. don't get caught up with that. the 270 wsm is a point and shoot out to 300 specially if sighted in at 200yrds.
the 06 is good too, like it, have owned one. i would rather a 270 win over the 06. find some ppl that ownthem at the local gun club and see if you can shoot them. get real evidence and don;t get stuck on ballistics.
for 700yrds get a 338 lap

[nuadixion]

700 yard shots eh? Not much of a hunter.......I suspect not much of a shooter either.......
Now before you get on your high horse, remember, you said, "So what are your thoughts?"
I just gave you mine.

yeaaaa...i dont know about 700y attempts....I do not think i would see a target that far......plus it is more fun to get to them to ... 50y or closer......and I still use 300wsm :)

[Gateholio]

Recoil is an issue? 7-08.

[KodiakHntr]

Recoil is an issue? 7-08.

+1.......

the 270wsm's I've shot have been a little snappy recoil wise. They don't come back hard, but they do come back quick.

[j270wsm]

I love my kimber 270wsm but it's a 500yd rifle. I have a 3/4" group @ 200yds using 140sierra game kings. A few years ago I was shooting my gong at 576yds and shot a 7-8" group, but 500yds is my max limit. If I was planning on shooting 5-700 yds I would buy a 300rum or one of the 338 mags.

[Singleshotneeded]

30.06, ammo everywhere, excellent variety of loads, and with Barnes Vor-tx 168 grain ttsx ammo you're good for everything!

[okanagan]

[QUOTE=300;1222329]I am looking for a light kicker rifle that will also be suitable for moose and elk, but mostly deer. I haven't shot further than 500 yards, but if the situation required it would be nice to be able to reach out to 700.. which would then mean going for the 270. I hunt mostly interior BC, so 700 yard shots would be rare. The 150 grain hornady superformance are pushing 3100 fps out of the 30-06, pretty darn close to what the 270 is shooting. I can also load up heavier 180 or 200 grain bullets for the 30-06 which is nice. So what are your thoughts? Recoil is a big factor for me too.. from what I hear the 270 is just a hair snortier.

PS. I would buy a Tikka.. those guns are beautiful![/QUOTE I have a t3 chambered 270 wsm if you find your self in summerland you can pull the trigger and see what it's like.

[deer nut]

700 yds? Ridiculous, unless you've graduated sniper school.

[wrenchhead]

You will find those light tikkas snap back at tour shoulder pretty hard. If your recoil sensitive and you need that gun I would choose the 7-08

[4pointhunter]

yeah my tikka 270wsm does have a snappy kick but only notice it at the bench, i put a limbsaver pad on it and it helped alot

[tuffteddyb]

+2 on the 7/08 ,but of the 2 would go with the 270wsm,unless you made th /06 into a 280 then would go with that over them all.lol

[Hillbros_96]

Have a sako 85 finlight in 270 wsm. Definitely 700 is pushing it and takes a skilled marksman better then I. As for the game you are going for, the 30-06 would be a better choice. I find the 270 to be on the light side for moose. Everything needs to be perfect otherwise you are in for long tracking job. Personally for what you want, I would go for a 300 or 338. My 270 kicks much quicker then my 300 mag. Albeit the 270 is much lighter and I am not recoil sensitive.

[The Dude]

How many times have you shot out to anywhere near 700 yards? How many times have you had a positive ID on a legal animal under favorable conditions (Wind, rifle rest, obstructions etc) that would afford you a legal, ethical, one-shot-kill at 700 yards. You're asking the most basic of new shooter qestions, are concerned about recoil, and you want a sniper gun?

This long range shit is getting out of hand. IMHO only :-)

[scoutlt1]

You want a light kicking rifle that is suitable for moose and elk out to 700yds???

My thoughts are...."do way more research".

[ElliotMoose]

Go with the Barrett 50 cal and set it up on a bolted down tripod.. Should do the trick for ya. LOL :D Jokes aside though, I own both calibres and I would look into the 270 if you're planning on shooting long range. And by long range I mean 4-500 yards. 700 is an outrageous shot to take at an animal without years of experience and all the proper tools.

Chris

[deer nut]

This long range shit is getting out of hand. IMHO only :-) Agree 100%! Not to flame the postr, but is unreal how many guys think they can drop the big bucks for a Huskemaw scope and start sniping. 10 years ago, 400 yds was considered a long shot. Try sneaking closer; that's true hunting!

[goinghunting]

I've got a 270 wsm in the kimber and absolutely love the caliber great flat shooting gun. I however do not agree with taking 700 yard shots on animals, way to many animals getting wasted because guys are to lazy to be alittle more patient and get a little closer. I've made the mistake to a few years back both me and my brother hit and lost a dandy 7x7 bull elk at 500 yds, we never found the bull and it still makes me sick because although I couldn't get closer in that situation I could have backed off and come back another day. I think the era of all this long range shooting is incredable unsportsmanlike I'm not saying we have to kill our animals at 30 yds but 700 yds is radiculous and just asking to wound and lose game! Just my 2 cents!

[RayHill]

I am looking for a light kicker rifle that will also be suitable for moose and elk, but mostly deer. I haven't shot further than 500 yards, but if the situation required it would be nice to be able to reach out to 700.. which would then mean going for the 270. I hunt mostly interior BC, so 700 yard shots would be rare. The 150 grain hornady superformance are pushing 3100 fps out of the 30-06, pretty darn close to what the 270 is shooting. I can also load up heavier 180 or 200 grain bullets for the 30-06 which is nice. So what are your thoughts? Recoil is a big factor for me too.. from what I hear the 270 is just a hair snortier.

PS. I would buy a Tikka.. those guns are beautiful!

I'm guessing you are new to this, from how u worded your post. If you haven't shot out past 500 yards, don't shoot at animals at 700 yards.. 500 yards is a long shot to take you might not be accurate at estimating your distances. If you can shoot well the max you should be hunting at IMO is 300 yards, passed this distance it can be hard to id animals without a powerful rifle/ spotting scope. If you are recoil conscious you should keep your shots to 150 yards max until you get cured of it. Get a 30-06 load it with low recoil 180gr ammo you wont feel a thing and you will still have lots of power for moose and will dump any deer.

[Rubberknot]

I own both calibers, the .270 WSM does have more noticeable kick that is only felt at the range, great flat shooting gun. The .06 is a great caliber as well, lots of choice for ammo and arguably one of the best all-round calibers. Can't go wrong with either, now just get out of the truck and close in that 700yd gap!

[300]

Thanks for the replies! And as for 700 yards, it was just something to chew on for the future, nothing I expect out of the next few years! I have talked to two guys who said they shoot 700 with the 270 WSM and that's where the number came from, but from the sounds of it maybe its not the wisest option for that range. My family has shot 06. for about 30 years and thats why I was curious how it stacks up to these newer rifles.

[blackbart]

For those of us that are interested in long range shooting I have some comments from personal observation.

At three hundred yards you really can't tell much detail in regards to antler/horn with the naked eye; at four hundred yards you might not even see the animal with the naked eye; five hundred yards and you might not even see good horn or antler detail with your bino's; seven hundred yards and you will have trouble counting points with a spotting scope and probably won't see the critter with the naked eye unless he moves and is in the sun.

900-1000 yards and you can't really get any great detail, even with a spotter. My thoughts are usually something like "looks like a good ram, billie, bull, buck, etc, but need to get closer to confirm". Try it and you might be surprised.

Basically, unless you have way better eye sight and experience than I have you might want to think about what a realisitic shooting range is regardless of what the bros on tv are doing!

[SKADman]

I spent many years on various rifle teams, some of them military, doing competition shooting. I wouldn't attempt to take an animal beyond 500 yds and that's pushing it. Too many variables involved: wind, light conditions, trigger control, breathing, hold/rest.
If you are concerned about recoil, pay a bit more for a muzzle break, the same gas pressure that pushes your rifle into your shoulder is used to help pull the rifle away from your shoulder. No, it won't affect the ballistics, the bullet is long gone before any of this happens.
By the way, after reading all the posts on this thread, I think some of the replies are confusing .270, with 270.WSM, so read them carefully. I've been seriously contemplating a Tikka .270 WSM for myself. I have a straight .270 (not WSM) and have taken one moose (75 yds) and many deer with it. I don't think it would have much punch on a moose beyond 200 yds, but the WSM version might. Beyond that distance, you should think of 7mm magnum, or 300 magnum for moose or elk. You would really need the muzzle brake on these two if you are recoil shy. But as others have said "Work your way a little closer, and be assured of a nice clean kill.
The 30-06 is one of the best all around calibres so if you can only have one rifle, it would be the best candidate. But once you start reaching out beyond 300 yards the .270WSM starts to shine.

[SKADman]

Thanks for the replies! And as for 700 yards, it was just something to chew on for the future, nothing I expect out of the next few years! I have talked to two guys who said they shoot 700 with the 270 WSM and that's where the number came from, but from the sounds of it maybe its not the wisest option for that range. My family has shot 06. for about 30 years and thats why I was curious how it stacks up to these newer rifles.
I think those two guys were snowing you, or they were on a rifle range with a 6ft square target.

[300]

700 yard shots eh? Not much of a hunter.......I suspect not much of a shooter either.......
Now before you get on your high horse, remember, you said, "So what are your thoughts?"
I just gave you mine.

Haha. Thanks for the "thoughts" :cry:

[j270wsm]

I installed a brake on my 300 rum and it kicks way less than my 270's( wsm and win )

[j270wsm]

I have a straight .270 (not WSM) and have taken one moose (75 yds) and many deer with it. I don't think it would have much punch on a moose beyond 200 yds, but the WSM version might. Beyond that distance, you should think of 7mm magnum, or 300 magnum for moose or elk.

I've shot a few elk with my 270win and never had any problems. My last bull was shot with 130gr tsx handloads at 300yds, bullet went in behind the left front shoulder and exited in front of the right hind. With correct shot placement you should easily take moose out to 300yds with a 270win, providing you have the ability and the right conditions.

[Sofa King]

I've shot a few elk with my 270win and never had any problems. My last bull was shot with 130gr tsx handloads at 300yds, bullet went in behind the left front shoulder and exited in front of the right hind. With correct shot placement you should easily take moose out to 300yds with a 270win, providing you have the ability and the right conditions.

this.
accuracy kills.
but personally, i'd lean toward the 30-06, mostly due to the moose factor.
but if deer is your main target, the 270 is way less overkill.

the longest shot i've taken on an animal is 400 yards.
i dropped him with one shot, but would not look forward to doing it again.
i would have attempted to stalk closer, but it was about to enter the treeline, so i decided to squeeze the trigger.
700 yards? i wouldn't even attempt it. i don't care what is standing there, i'm not taking that shot.

[J-F]

Save a few dollars and get yourself a good range finder. You will be surprised how long a 250-300 yards is out there on the field.

As an educational tool, a RF is great to give you a solid reality check. If you want to take long shots (250 yrds and up), you'll need it as it's difficult to gauge distances well.

Quite frankly, within 300 yards, a 30-06, a 270 Win or a 270 WSM (and a long list of other good calibers like a 308, a 280, a 7mm-08, a 300 WSM, a 7RM to name only those) will have very similar performance on game... provided you put the bullet where it counts. Get familiar with a rifle that fits well in your hands and on your shoulder, shoot enough to be consistent and confident in yourself and your gun, and "Happy hunting".

[keithb7]

After reading through all these posts I have some thoughts on my Sako A7 270WIN. I have been shooting Fusion 150 grain. I believe they are rated at 2850 or so FPS. I went to the range with a friend who had a Crony and we measured. Any where from 2350 to 2650. None hit 2850. I have since been putting together all the bits and pieces to reload my own rounds and try to dial in some better FPS numbers.
When guys mention that a 270 is a nice flat shooting gun, with a 270WIN 150gr Fusion round, I wonder that means. There is considerable drop at 400. Out to 500? I'm not there yet. Maybe it is flat shooting compared to other similar sized rounds, I am not sure as this is the only CF rifle I've owned. I am hoping my own re-loads will tighten up my pattern. Start to reload next week.

[Davey Crockett]

After reading through all these posts I have some thoughts on my Sako A7 270WIN. I have been shooting Fusion 150 grain. I believe they are rated at 2850 or so FPS. I went to the range with a friend who had a Crony and we measured. Any where from 2350 to 2650. None hit 2850. I have since been putting together all the bits and pieces to reload my own rounds and try to dial in some better FPS numbers.
When guys mention that a 270 is a nice flat shooting gun, with a 270WIN 150gr Fusion round, I wonder that means. There is considerable drop at 400. Out to 500? I'm not there yet. Maybe it is flat shooting compared to other similar sized rounds, I am not sure as this is the only CF rifle I've owned. I am hoping my own re-loads will tighten up my pattern. Start to reload next week.

how long is your barrel?

[300]

Save a few dollars and get yourself a good range finder. You will be surprised how long a 250-300 yards is out there on the field.

As an educational tool, a RF is great to give you a solid reality check. If you want to take long shots (250 yrds and up), you'll need it as it's difficult to gauge distances well.

Quite frankly, within 300 yards, a 30-06, a 270 Win or a 270 WSM (and a long list of other good calibers like a 308, a 280, a 7mm-08, a 300 WSM, a 7RM to name only those) will have very similar performance on game... provided you put the bullet where it counts. Get familiar with a rifle that fits well in your hands and on your shoulder, shoot enough to be consistent and confident in yourself and your gun, and "Happy hunting".

I have a Leica rangefinder, it works great. I've shot a few animals over 300 yards, and one deer at 440.

[Jagermeister]

With no disrespect to the OP I make the following observation.
I think that the nimrods that think they can shoot out to 500 yards and beyond should take up F-Class shooting.
If you can consistently place three shots into a 100 yard target that can be covered by a quarter, then and only then you can try for longer ranges not exceeding 500 yards. If you cannot cover the three shot group with a quarter, then you should restrict you shooting range to not exceed the point blank range which for most rifles is ~280 yards if the firearm is sighted in at 210 yards give or take.
To consistently place three shot groups that can be covered by a quarter, you have to (1) reload your ammunition and (2) spend copious time at the range. In addition, the firearm should be correctly fitted to you and glass bedding would improve the accuracy too.

[ElliotMoose]

For the recoil issue, as others have mentioned, definitely look into a muzzle break. My Dad's traditional Rem 700 in 7mm mag kicks like a MULE where as my brothers new savage in 300Win (comes with a muzzle break) Is very comfortable to shoot and not too tough on the shoulder. It actually kicks alot less than my 30.06. One thing you will notice though, it sure as hell aint quiet!!

[300]

For the recoil issue, as others have mentioned, definitely look into a muzzle break. My Dad's traditional Rem 700 in 7mm mag kicks like a MULE where as my brothers new savage in 300Win (comes with a muzzle break) Is very comfortable to shoot and not too tough on the shoulder. It actually kicks alot less than my 30.06. One thing you will notice though, it sure as hell aint quiet!!

Yes those muzzle breaks work wonders, I just don't want to deal with blowing out my ears haha! I'm very comfortable with the kick on the 30-06 shooting 150 grains, maybe the snappier 270wsm would be just a little too much though.

[KodiakHntr]

For those of us that are interested in long range shooting I have some comments from personal observation.

At three hundred yards you really can't tell much detail in regards to antler/horn with the naked eye; at four hundred yards you might not even see the animal with the naked eye; five hundred yards and you might not even see good horn or antler detail with your bino's; seven hundred yards and you will have trouble counting points with a spotting scope and probably won't see the critter with the naked eye unless he moves and is in the sun.

900-1000 yards and you can't really get any great detail, even with a spotter. My thoughts are usually something like "looks like a good ram, billie, bull, buck, etc, but need to get closer to confirm". Try it and you might be surprised.

Basically, unless you have way better eye sight and experience than I have you might want to think about what a realisitic shooting range is regardless of what the bros on tv are doing!

I'm thinking you need to go to the eye doc and then maybe get some better optics....If you can't count tines on an animal at 700 with a spotter you have bigger issues than being able to make a first round hit!

[brian]

I find range and shooters is a bit like fishermen and their fish stories. Always take it with a bit of salt (pepper and a squeeze of lemon).

Just to add a bit, a 150 grain out of a 270(win or wsm) will offer better penetration than a 150 out of a 30 cal. It is a heavier for caliber bullet and has a better SD in direct comparison. Of course the 30 cal will give you the option of heavier bullets. I find recoil is only slightly lighter with a 270 win and basic physics would say a 30-06 and 270 both shooting 150 grain bullets should have the same recoil (excluding powder charge considerations). I would suspect that if you could stuff a 180 grain bullet down a 270 tube and have it shoot well, then recoil would be identical to the 30-06. I have never shot a 270 wsm so I can't speak to it at all. If you are recoil shy then look for a stock design that mitigates recoil and pick up a heavier rifle. Design, fit, and weight can really do wonders to tame or augment felt recoil.

[BigSlapper]

I've been hunting and shooting for 40 years. Own and use several .270's and .06's and have NEVER shot at anything beyond 450 yds .... and never will (one moose kill with a 30.06 at that distance - and moose is the biggest target you will find). If it were a "one gun for all" decision, given your choices .... 30.06.
I can shoot .... and 500 yds is one hell of a long poke under the best of conditions. 700 yds? .... NUTZ.
Just MHO :)

[300]

I've been hunting and shooting for 40 years. Own and use several .270's and .06's and have NEVER shot at anything beyond 450 yds .... and never will (one moose kill with a 30.06 at that distance - and moose is the biggest target you will find). If it were a "one gun for all" decision, given your choices .... 30.06.
I can shoot .... and 500 yds is one hell of a long poke under the best of conditions. 700 yds? .... NUTZ.
Just MHO :)

What kind of bullet did you use for the moose? I used 150 grain hornady GMX superformance out of a 30-06 on an elk at 377 yards and it punched right through and out the other side.. those GMX are tough I was really impressed.
And I think I will take your advice and cap it at 500 yards then.. you sound like a guy who knows what hes talking about!

[The Dude]

I smell a rat.

[Weatherby Fan]

Yes those muzzle breaks work wonders, I just don't want to deal with blowing out my ears haha! I'm very comfortable with the kick on the 30-06 shooting 150 grains, maybe the snappier 270wsm would be just a little too much though.

I shoot a 300 Wby Ultralight and it has a removable brake,I use it with the brake on at the range......with ear plugs and ear muffs yes they are loud,and just remove it for hunting.
It's a pleasure to shoot at the range,kicks less than my Kimber Montana 270 win or my Husqvarna 30-06 with the brake on.
WF

[300]

I smell a rat.

Do you mean me?

[Singleshotneeded]

I smell a rat.

Lol, you mean it sounds like 300 and Big Slapper know each other?? ;-)

[300]

Lol, you mean it sounds like 300 and Big Slapper know each other?? ;-)

He was just one of the few guys that was considerate and didn't tell me I was crazy!

[rosscopeeko]

I have a tikka t3 in 270wsm and the recoil isn't that bad. I load 130's for it and haven't taken an animal with it yet, but I really like it so far. I have a Limbsaver on mine.

[xtremearchery]

I'm sold on the 30-06. It takes down anything I've every aimed at. I load it up with 168 CT with 58 gr IMR-4350. The longest shot i've taken has been 410 yards. One shot drop on a moose. Put my cross hairs on the hump and took out both lungs and the top of the heart. I'm set up at 3" high at 100 yards. Works great!

[300]

I'm sold on the 30-06. It takes down anything I've every aimed at. I load it up with 168 CT with 58 gr IMR-4350. The longest shot i've taken has been 410 yards. One shot drop on a moose. Put my cross hairs on the hump and took out both lungs and the top of the heart. I'm set up at 3" high at 100 yards. Works great!

Nicely done!

[4 point]

Not many guys I know shoot anything at 700 yards. Hard shot to make unless your exerienced at shooting that distance and all the variables were just right and you maybe have a rest. A guy I know took a sheep at 634 yards downslope on a guided hunt and only shot because when he wasn't comfortable with his rifle/scope comb out to that range he was lent a special long range rifle/scope by another hunters and two shots later he had a nice ram. First shot was a clear miss. I have seen the video of this shot an wow I wouldn't ever try it.