308 or 30-06 or 270

[tusker]

30-06 is my rifle, the rest are just guns.
I have 30-06 and 270. both have served me well from Scotland to Africa but the 30-06 has more flexability regards bullets.
Calibre and optimum bullet choise my rule of thumb is 308 = 150grn, 270 = 130grn, 30-06 = 165 grn , 180 grn for Africa. imo. the 30-06 is more suited to heavy bullets.
Tusker

 

[Lithyuk]

30-06 is my rifle, the rest are just guns.
I have 30-06 and 270. both have served me well from Scotland to Africa but the 30-06 has more flexability regards bullets.
Calibre and optimum bullet choise my rule of thumb is 308 = 150grn, 270 = 130grn, 30-06 = 165 grn , 180 grn for Africa. imo. the 30-06 is more suited to heavy bullets.
Tusker

Thanks very much for that tusker,

 

[tackb]

Evening,

It’s only to be used for target shooting 600mtrs was wanting something that had a flatter trajectory and planning on loading my own ammo, unfortunately we cannot use 6.5 on any of the mod ranges we go to so looking for something that would do a decent job

Honestly the 6.5mm thing on military ranges is utterly ridiculous and will be changed but it will take time , old people shag faster than the military moves !

But for 600m target shooting the answer is .308 although the other two would work 308 for the reasons already listed will be best

 

[cjm1066]

Sticking head above the parapet.

The 270 is a great deer cartridge but in an odd size and rarely used as a target rifle. 280 Remington or another 7mm gives you more bullet choice so perhaps 7mm PRC?

However other opinions are available.

 

[HonestJohn]

I’d take a 30-06 or .270 over a .308 any day for stalking; but for target shooting, the shjitty .308 gets it

 

[nun_hunter]

I’d take a 30-06 or .270 over a .308 any day for stalking; but for target shooting, the shjitty .308 gets it

I get what you're saying but depends on the stalking situation. A 16" barrelled 308 for a woodland stalking rifle shooting less than 200m would be far more preferential to either the 30-06 or 270.

 

[HonestJohn]

I get what you're saying but depends on the stalking situation. A 16" barrelled 308 for a woodland stalking rifle shooting less than 200m would be far more preferential to either the 30-06 or 270.

Been there and respectfully disagree. Short means poor balance and light weight often. A 24” barrel, or even 26” might be longer, but two things - they swing better, for impulsive quick woodland shooting, you’ll be far steadier off hand. Secondly, carry it muzzle down if you expect to have to make a quick shot, much quicker to get up and ready than off the should muzzle up. And if muzzle down, who cares how long the barrel is, as long as you don’t plug it of course. Or are a serious short arse an becomes a third leg

 

[nun_hunter]

Been there and respectfully disagree. Short means poor balance and light weight often. A 24” barrel, or even 26” might be longer, but two things - they swing better, for impulsive quick woodland shooting, you’ll be far steadier off hand. Secondly, carry it muzzle down if you expect to have to make a quick shot, much quicker to get up and ready than off the should muzzle up. And if muzzle down, who cares how long the barrel is, as long as you don’t plug it of course. Or are a serious short arse an becomes a third leg

Good points, although I was more referring to the increased and unnecessary recoil, power, velocity etc that wouldn't be of benefit in a short distance stalking situation especially if the woodland is thick and unmanaged where a longer barrel would get caught up.

I find my Bergara single shot well balanced even though it is considerably shorter and nicer for offhand shots or getting quickly onto twin sticks.

 

[Lateral]

Personally, I'd be looking at the 7mm PRC

 

[Tim1989]

6.5prc

 

[Sonicdmb73]

6.5prc

Military Ranges = no 6.5mm cartridge till further notice.

 

[Tim1989]

Military Ranges = no 6.5mm cartridge till further notice.

go with the .270 then

 

[Sonicdmb73]

go with the .270 then

As much as I like the .270 Win it would not be my first choice for target. Not enough bullet choice let alone loaded ammo available.
Plenty for stalking I have numerous boxes of 130's and 140's, don't recall seeing any target ones for sale. 30 cal take your pick.

 

[Rutland lad]

I get what you're saying but depends on the stalking situation. A 16" barrelled 308 for a woodland stalking rifle shooting less than 200m would be far more preferential to either the 30-06 or 270.

Does anyone remember the RPA Woodland Stalker ? Was made with a 16” barrel in .308 and was well thought of from what I recall.

 

[Sonicdmb73]

Does anyone remember the RPA Woodland Stalker ? Was made with a 16” barrel in .308 and was well thought of from what I recall.

Yes I do, let's face it most would have a mod anyway with that length of barrel. Effectively ending up with similar balance to a heavy traditional barrelled rifle.

 

[Rutland lad]

Yes I do, let's face it most would have a mod anyway with that length of barrel. Effectively ending up with similar balance to a heavy traditional barrelled rifle.

Fair point. I’m just of an opinion that many people rave on about 24/26” barrels and then shoot at ranges under 200m where the extra barrel length makes little or no difference.
That’s a personal opinion - but it is brought home to me when I open my cabinet and see my three barrels together. The 6.5 and the 308 are 51cm in length and the 300 WM is 60cm. That 9cm difference is certainly noticeable visually and when carrying it about.

 

[Lateral]

Does anyone remember the RPA Woodland Stalker ? Was made with a 16” barrel in .308 and was well thought of from what I recall.

YES, and it required a wheelbarrow to carry it around

 

[Sonicdmb73]

Fair point. I’m just of an opinion that many people rave on about 24/26” barrels and then shoot at ranges under 200m where the extra barrel length makes little or no difference.
That’s a personal opinion - but it is brought home to me when I open my cabinet and see my three barrels together. The 6.5 and the 308 are 51cm in length and the 300 WM is 60cm. That 9cm difference is certainly noticeable visually and when carrying it about.

Not centre fire but my two Annie 22lr's have barrels at each end of the scale. One is shorter with the mod on than the other without.
My CF rifles are similar lengths except the 20 Tac it will only fit in my longest case even with a relatively short Hausken MD45 mod.

 

[HonestJohn]

Fair point. I’m just of an opinion that many people rave on about 24/26” barrels and then shoot at ranges under 200m where the extra barrel length makes little or no difference.
That’s a personal opinion - but it is brought home to me when I open my cabinet and see my three barrels together. The 6.5 and the 308 are 51cm in length and the 300 WM is 60cm. That 9cm difference is certainly noticeable visually and when carrying it about.

Barrel length isn’t all about MV. A longer barrel will point better, balance better, and lead to more precise shooting. Less muzzle flash, less recoil, less erosion from potential un burnt propellant.

 

[jthyttin]

A longer barrel will point better, balance better, and lead to more precise shooting.

Sorry but pointability is about rifle not barrel. Balance depends on a lot of things, sometimes longer barrel balances worse. And other things being equal, longer barrel leads to less precise shooting (barrel time).

(there are at least two sides to almost anything)