.270 v .308 recoil
- Thread starter Boarboy
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Boarboy
Well-Known Member
308 kick??
.....sensitive soul are we?
Ha ha, no, Used a 308 for over ten years. Just wondered how it compared to the .270?
http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm is worth a read. Regards JCS
The short answer is that they are similar enough that it's the characteristics of the rifle and set up that make the difference, not the round.
Shoot a .270 from a heavy, long barrelled rifle and it will seem much tamer than a .308 from a light, short barrelled rifle (and vice versa).
I have both .270 and .308, both in heavy, old fashioned rifles with 24" unmoderated barrels, and I don't notice a difference. I also don't find either at all unpleasant to shoot.
And of course once you moderate them, there really is nothing to worry about at all.
Shoot a .270 from a heavy, long barrelled rifle and it will seem much tamer than a .308 from a light, short barrelled rifle (and vice versa).
I have both .270 and .308, both in heavy, old fashioned rifles with 24" unmoderated barrels, and I don't notice a difference. I also don't find either at all unpleasant to shoot.
And of course once you moderate them, there really is nothing to worry about at all.
Backstraps
Well-Known Member
Have both and definitely agree with Mungo, so similar that the difference will be the rifle much moreso than the cartridge. I think the 270 is more of a natural fit for a larger rifle since it already requires a long action and should benerally benefit from a longish (ie 24") barrel since it is an overbore cartridge. The 308 is a natural fit for light weight shorter barrel setups with its short action and high efficiency with shorter barrels.
There is a big difference in muzzle blast from a 20 inch to a 24 inch .270 Win, and that contributes to perceived recoil. I have both, a heavy custom Mauser and a lithe little Steyr Model M Luxus Stutzen. To tell the truth, the 6 lb ( unloaded ) Steyr seems to have less recoil than some heavy .308s I own. But it is louder. I would have loved to have this Steyr in a .308, but I decided I just wanted another one right then, tired of looking, regardless of cartridge, and I get happier with it in .270 every time I take it hunting.
I have a 22-inch barreled Rem 700 in walnut, and get high velocities from it, and it is also light and a joy afield, carrying and shooting.
The point of telling you all this is: don't shy from a lighter .270. A Tikka T3 Lite or a T3 Forester in nice walnut would be a great rifle to carry all day.
I have a 22-inch barreled Rem 700 in walnut, and get high velocities from it, and it is also light and a joy afield, carrying and shooting.
The point of telling you all this is: don't shy from a lighter .270. A Tikka T3 Lite or a T3 Forester in nice walnut would be a great rifle to carry all day.
I had an unmoderated Sauer 90 in .270 as my first centrefire, I can't say that recoil ever bothered me especially whilst stalking, and comparing it to friends 308 on range days didn't throw up any real questions or differences either. (I wasn't looking to compare recoil though).
If you are using this as a means to help make a decision on what calibre to invest in, I wouldn't worry about it, you'll find plenty of other reasons to debate respective benefits! bottom line is that they will both do the job.
caorach
Well-Known Member
Worth putting your numbers into a recoil calculator in view of the rather consistent manner in which the laws of physics apply in the real world 
http://www.jbmballistics.com/cgi-bin/jbmrecoil-5.1.cgi
http://www.jbmballistics.com/cgi-bin/jbmrecoil-5.1.cgi
Richard Parsons
Well-Known Member
No difference whatsoever . Just get on with it and stop over thinking it.
bewsher500
Well-Known Member
Perceived recoil has nothing to do with recoil.
i have a .270, 300wm and owned a .243 and a .308
by far the nastiest of all my rifles to shoot was the .243!!!
all the others fit
the 300wm with a mod is not noticeable, flip unmoderated is a different issue
the .270 had a inch added to make it fit and I will never moderate it, it's just wrong
no worse than any other mid range centrefire...IF it fits!
i have a .270, 300wm and owned a .243 and a .308
by far the nastiest of all my rifles to shoot was the .243!!!
all the others fit
the 300wm with a mod is not noticeable, flip unmoderated is a different issue
the .270 had a inch added to make it fit and I will never moderate it, it's just wrong
no worse than any other mid range centrefire...IF it fits!
hybridfiat
Well-Known Member
As has been said, recoil is more to do with the rifle design than the cartridge.
A heavy wt .375 H&H with inline stock, a long sight base scope and good balance is going to feel nicer than a light weight, high stocked .308 that has a short sight base scope.
Having said that my .35 Whelen pounds seven shades of **** from me regardless.
A heavy wt .375 H&H with inline stock, a long sight base scope and good balance is going to feel nicer than a light weight, high stocked .308 that has a short sight base scope.
Having said that my .35 Whelen pounds seven shades of **** from me regardless.
ileso
Well-Known Member
one piece of data to factor in is the weight of the rifle and another is the weight of the projectile.
a heavier rifle will have less kick than a lighter rifle shooting the same ammo.
a lighter 130gr bullet will kick less than a heavier 156gr bullet of the same caliber.
barrel length is also another factor.
also look at muzzle velocities of similar weight bullets in both calibers, this is a factor also of how much a caliber kicks.
the physics of shooting has so many variables....its probably easier to discuss how much one rifle kicks compared to another rifle.
anyway both calibers are very good to be fair, so figure out what you want the rifle for (distances, impact velocities, terrain etc) and get a ballistics chart for comparable ammo and work out what tool is best for you.
maybe figure in ammo costs, and wear on your barrel. (faster projectiles wear out a barrel more than slower projectiles..)
anyway, take your time and if you can, try different equipment out, find what suits you. both cals kill deer.
a heavier rifle will have less kick than a lighter rifle shooting the same ammo.
a lighter 130gr bullet will kick less than a heavier 156gr bullet of the same caliber.
barrel length is also another factor.
also look at muzzle velocities of similar weight bullets in both calibers, this is a factor also of how much a caliber kicks.
the physics of shooting has so many variables....its probably easier to discuss how much one rifle kicks compared to another rifle.
anyway both calibers are very good to be fair, so figure out what you want the rifle for (distances, impact velocities, terrain etc) and get a ballistics chart for comparable ammo and work out what tool is best for you.
maybe figure in ammo costs, and wear on your barrel. (faster projectiles wear out a barrel more than slower projectiles..)
anyway, take your time and if you can, try different equipment out, find what suits you. both cals kill deer.
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I have both, without a mod, the 270 is a lot louder, it has about 25% more powder in a bullet case , although slower burning. My 270 is light with a short barrel so not a great recipe, however put a 190gn in the 308 and have it screaming coming out and there isnt really much in it. I think most people are put off by the noise of a 270, I would say about the same as being next to a 308 with a muzzle brake, But the 270 is a great round, flatter and seems to have a lot more hitting power than a 308. I would say man up and get one , I love mine.
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