.270 for deer

[rem284]

I agree, the article was more for an example of data. I'm not saying you will get the exact same figures. As for the 300 meters, this is the "stalking directory" Sure some shots may have to be taken at those ranges but it the aim of the game is to get as close as possible. Lastly, the barrel life, both rounds shooting 150 grains are travelling at the same speed so how would one wear more than the other? Grant it, I don't own a .270 but assume you don't shoot 150g bullet so I'll take your word on that

Stalking isn't necessarily getting as close as possible. For me it's getting to a position to shoot from to ensure a humane kill, at times I have actually stalked away from.the deer to get to a better shooting platform

The 270 is likely to have less barrel life than a 308 because there is more powder getting burnt in a smaller bore.

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

Stalking isn't necessarily getting as close as possible. For me it's getting to a position to shoot from to ensure a humane kill, at times I have actually stalked away from.the deer to get to a better shooting platform

The 270 is likely to have less barrel life than a 308 because there is more powder getting burnt in a smaller bore.

I take it all on board. Longest shot I've taken was 220 meters

 

[rem284]

I take it all on board. Longest shot I've taken was 220 meters

It's whatever works to get as clean kill.

 

[JohnSmith]

I take it all on board. Longest shot I've taken was 220 meters

Nothing wrong with that at all. Better to shoot at comfortable distances rather than push it and risk missing or worse - injuring an animal. I’d prefer a closer shot any day of the week.

 

[308tikka]

Both are generally well stocked for ammunition in decent RFDs.

There will always be 308 on the shelf, everywhere.

Both are good for all 6 UK species, and probably anything likely to be shot in europe.

Buy one, Shoot it lots, get used to it.

 

[DaveW]

Copper ammunition needs to hit the target faster than lead to correctly expand. A copper round from a .270 will therefore outperform a copper round from a .308.
For this reason I chose .270 and have never looked back. It is superb. If you use a good moderator I would be surprised if recoil was an issue.

 

[Taff]

The 270 is likely to have less barrel life than a 308 because there is more powder getting burnt in a smaller bore.

Most recreational stalkers will never need to worry about barrel life. Amazingly I know cullers who shot hundreds of deer and goats a year and have owned the same rifle for many years, perhaps our rounds are slower in the Southern Hemisphere.

 

[Brave Echo Niner]

Copper ammunition needs to hit the target faster than lead to correctly expand. A copper round from a .270 will therefore outperform a copper round from a .308.
For this reason I chose .270 and have never looked back. It is superb. If you use a good moderator I would be surprised if recoil was an issue.

A 130 grain bullet out of a .270 and a .308 are both going roughly 3000FPS using the same design bullet (130 grain Barnes TTSX for example) when I ran it through a ballistic calculator the .270 goes through the 2200 FPS barrier at 324m and the .308 at 313m - Hardly a massive difference! If you're interested in pushing distance I dare say there are better choices than both of them too!

The advantage the .308 gives is the greater frontal area, if a bullet design is designed to expand to say 1.5 x bullet diameter then the .308 will have a greater permanent wound cavity it stands to reason.

The reality is that the two are not massively different calibres and I would be choosing more on ammo availability and what rifles you have around you you're interested in. It may be you want a Sako 85 and the only one in the country is a .270, so choice is that or wait for one to be imported in .308 - I know I wouldn't be waiting around!

Just my two pence!

Ben

 

[User00040]

Most recreational stalkers will never need to worry about barrel life. Amazingly I know cullers who shot hundreds of deer and goats a year and have owned the same rifle for many years, perhaps our rounds are slower in the Southern Hemisphere.

An unfortunate requirement for Forestry deer culling contracts here in Jockistan is the annual inspection of a firearm by a 'qualified gunsmith'.

Whoever wrote the policy failed to realise that no such formal qualification exists in the UK, just Registered Firearms Dealers.

So, it's a free for all on what is charged, and anyone with an ounce of mechanical aptitude and firearms know-how could fill out the check box sheet.

Among these is a bore-inspection, so... if a 'gunsmith' wants to sell a new rifle...

 

[stevenedwards]

Very interesting debate. Have a look at the results Ed, Edinburgh rifles, is getting with a 308 and Peregrine bullets that looks fairly future proof. What about a 6.5 PRC ?

 

[rem284]

Most recreational stalkers will never need to worry about barrel life. Amazingly I know cullers who shot hundreds of deer and goats a year and have owned the same rifle for many years, perhaps our rounds are slower in the Southern Hemisphere.

Most I have got out of a rifle that i was using full time is ten years

 

[Mungo]

What about a 6.5 PRC ?

Is the right answer

 

[JohnSmith]

…What about a 6.5 PRC ?

Is the right answer

For moose at 600 yards, absolutely!

 

[Woodsmoke]

perhaps our rounds are slower in the Southern Hemisphere.

Yep. It's because you're both upside down and the world spins the other way. Slows the bullets down. Also, gravity has less effect. I'm an engineer and I know about these things

 

[Taff]

Most I have got out of a rifle that i was using full time is ten years

You say ten yrs what was wrong with the rifle ?

 

[Bowland blades]

Frankly they both will do your job fine! 270 is more powder so a bigger bang and more expense to load .
A few regular stalking mates shoot 270 , they cant do anything i cannot do with the 260 rem except burn a good bit more powder for a max of 200 fps gain ( shooting up to 300 yards that means nowt bar a slightly shorter barrel life ) Oh and abide by the daft recommendation of 270 being the starting point for Boar in the UK . Not Law!
The single most important as always is the actual bullet selected , not the cartridge once we forget about the well oiled nut behind the butt

 

[Bruce270]

My first stalking rifle was a Sako Finnbear in 270. I've had others and tried other calibres but I still have the old Sako 270 and it's still used regularly.

 

[rem284]

You say ten yrs what was wrong with the rifle ?

It went from producing 1/2 moa groups to 2.5 moa groups. Barrel was shot out

 

[Mungo]

For moose at 600 yards, absolutely!

It’s not that savage.

Not really very different from a .270.

 

[HDShark]

It’s not that savage.

Not really very different from a .270.

Seconded.

Virtually identicle recoil in a similar weight rifle, to 308/270, flatter, hits harder, and (crucially) laughs at the wind.....the only thing 270 does better is come in cheaper factory ammo!