.308 or .270

[bewsher500]

A .308 could chamber a .243 as a .243 is just a necked down .308 cartridge, but if you fired it all that would happen is the neck of the case would fail as theres no barrel around it to hold it in place and the round would either just fall out of the barrel or come out at a hugely diminshed velocity.

I struggle to see how a 308 could even remotely chamber in a 243 rifle (dimensions below)
However if foolish enough to fire a .243 in a .308 don't kid yourself that the velocity is "hugely diminished enough" to make it significantly less dangerous

there is a video of someone shooting a .270 through a .30-06
It still blows a chunk out of the ground
all that happens to the neck is it is fireformed in that scenario
Worse as unless you are paying attention you think there was just a powder issue and look at the brass to see a .30-06...until you check the headstamp!

http://accurateshooter.net/pix/308winx300.png

http://accurateshooter.net/pix/243Winch.png

 

[stubear]

I struggle to see how a 308 could even remotely chamber in a 243 rifle (dimensions below)
However if foolish enough to fire a .243 in a .308 don't kid yourself that the velocity is "hugely diminished enough" to make it significantly less dangerous

there is a video of someone shooting a .270 through a .30-06
It still blows a chunk out of the ground
all that happens to the neck is it is fireformed in that scenario
Worse as unless you are paying attention you think there was just a powder issue and look at the brass to see a .30-06...until you check the headstamp!

http://accurateshooter.net/pix/308winx300.png

http://accurateshooter.net/pix/243Winch.png

I agree with you, sorry I may have been unclear! A .308 round wouldnt fit into a .243 rifle, but you could fit a .243 round into a .308 rifle I think? As I was under the impression the .243 is a .308 cartridge but with a smaller round? Rather like your example of a .270 in a .30-06?

And yes, I 100% agree with you that it wouldnt be safe either and I definitely wouldnt want to be standing in front of it when it went off!! All I meant was you would not attain the full muzzle velocity with a .243 round in a .308 rifle that you would achieve by firing the .243 in a .243 rifle. Though I guess you would have to run some lab tests to see how much reduction there was.

And also thanks for mentioning "fireforming" - Thats the word I was trying to think of when I said the case would fail!

I think we're both saying the same thing, just I probably wasnt clear in my original post.

 

[Chasey]

These calibre threads always seem to resort to cliché.

"270? Yep - amazing. Fast and flat."
"308? Trajectory of a rainbow."
".243? What are you shooting? Rats?"

Ok, I can't argue with the last one, but as for the 270 vs 308 comments; does anyone actually look at the ballistic data at realistic stalking distances and find a worthwhile difference?

My preference would be .308 because I feel it is a little more flexible. Having said that, I really like the 30-06 which my good friends call "an obsolete military calibre" Seems we can't win whatever we choose, but we keep shooting at deer and they keep falling over.

Hummmmmm

drop on a 150g 308 at 200m is 3.6"

drop on a 270 130 grain at 200m is 3.0"

so its a 0.6" rainbow

I got a 243 because it was reely nice to use, easy to get ammo for and knocked over everything I shot from foxes up to 50kg Fallow bucks

I got a 308 because I wanted a bigger harder hitting round for bigger deer & boor

The 270 would be a better all round gun i supose if you dont mind shooting fox, roe & Munties with a 270?

If i wanted a harder hitting gun than my beloved 243 I would only consider 30 06 or 308 and went 308 because its very easy to get bits for.

ATB

Chasey

 

[tackb]

I struggle to see how a 308 could even remotely chamber in a 243 rifle (dimensions below)
However if foolish enough to fire a .243 in a .308 don't kid yourself that the velocity is "hugely diminished enough" to make it significantly less dangerous

there is a video of someone shooting a .270 through a .30-06
It still blows a chunk out of the ground
all that happens to the neck is it is fireformed in that scenario
Worse as unless you are paying attention you think there was just a powder issue and look at the brass to see a .30-06...until you check the headstamp!

http://accurateshooter.net/pix/308winx300.png

http://accurateshooter.net/pix/243Winch.png

Remember the projectile could push into the case with a firm enough bolt operation !

 

[palmer_mike]

Remember the projectile could push into the case with a firm enough bolt operation !

Not sure that one could do this without using a hammer in the rear of the bolt. Remember you'd have to push the bullet in (compressing the powder) and also deform the case neck. I'd hazard a guess that this would be impossible to do inadvertently.

 

[stephentri]

This topic started as 308 or 270 ? If you can't tell the difference between a 308 and 243 round you should ask yourself am I safe to be handling a firearm

 

[sauer]

Off,topic but I have 12g and 20g guns and I bought the jack poke carriage bags cheap but do the job

4 of them
12g game shells
12g clay shells
20g game shells
12g clay shells

I purposely avoid taking different gauges clay shooting together ,
Never had a problem

Paul

 

[tackb]

Not sure that one could do this without using a hammer in the rear of the bolt. Remember you'd have to push the bullet in (compressing the powder) and also deform the case neck. I'd hazard a guess that this would be impossible to do inadvertently.

I've had factory that wasn't gripping the bullet well enough , without considering re-loads , plus not all cases are full of powder, it's very possible.

 

[palmer_mike]

I've had factory that wasn't gripping the bullet well enough , without considering re-loads , plus not all cases are full of powder, it's very possible.

OK, so provided you have a freak round with insufficient neck tension and a case not filled anywhere near capacity. It still won't chamber the .308 case as the case neck won't go into the chamber!

remember we're supposed to be talking about this scenario happening inadvertently, not by applying extreme force......

 

[tackb]

OK, so provided you have a freak round with insufficient neck tension and a case not filled anywhere near capacity. It still won't chamber the .308 case as the case neck won't go into the chamber!

remember we're supposed to be talking about this scenario happening inadvertently, not by applying extreme force......

ok , your right I'm wrong x

 

[Brno2e]

The trouble is in the UK we have to apply for a specific calibre, once approved we go out and buy the rifle of choice in that calibre and stick with it. Most only have one or two calibres on their tickets and have little experience of anything other than that. We then end up with "this calibre is better than that" but few people are that qualified to really say.
I have shot a 308 but not a 270 but would say i would be happy with either after some practice to get to know it. The same could also be said of most other calibres out there.

 

[willyroe]

This topic started as 308 or 270 ? If you can't tell the difference between a 308 and 243 round you should ask yourself am I safe to be handling a firearm

I think that is a liitle unfair. The case is pretty much identical other than the neck and actual bullet being wider and very slighly longer.

 

[Grandhubert]

Bugger all in it for all practical purposes on our quarry at sub 300 yard ranges.

you may struggle with the above for a while but having used both here and abroad, that's my conclusion and I'm sticking to it.

 

[leej]

I think that is a liitle unfair. The case is pretty much identical other than the neck and actual bullet being wider and very slighly longer.

This topic started as 308 or 270 ? If you can't tell the difference between a 308 and 243 round you should ask yourself am I safe to be handling a firearm

I have to agree with stephentri on this one, if your eyesight isn't good enough to easily be able to tell the difference between these two whilst in the palm of your hand i would rather hope your not shooting at live quarry!
Going back back to the OP, it's 308 for me. Yes I've used both calibres in question and several members have already covered the same reasons why.
ATB Lee

 

[stephentri]

I think that is a liitle unfair. The case is pretty much identical other than the neck and actual bullet being wider and very slighly longer.

Hi willyroe
Next you will be saying 30-06 and 270 look the same, l stand by what I said if you can't tell one round for another you need to question your safety.

 

[willyroe]

Hi willyroe
Next you will be saying 30-06 and 270 look the same, l stand by what I said if you can't tell one round for another you need to question your safety.

b

You just stand by it chief.....

Clearly if one makes an assessment, the difference can be seen (even by me thank you very much). I was simply highlighting their similarity which i think is a fair comment. You don't have to agree, this is a forum, where people "discuss things".

Rather you didnt question my safety and shooting credentials so lets not go there.... Besides i've got more posts than you!

 

[blaser.270]

I shoot an unmoderated Blaser .270,my brother shoots a .308 ,he gets a lot more runners ,if the op is 100% committed to the shot,and trying to keep to scope on the animal after the shot ,he shouldn't notice the bang or kick,if he dose,he's not concentrating properly !

 

[ChesterP]

I shoot an unmoderated Blaser .270,my brother shoots a .308 ,he gets a lot more runners ,if the op is 100% committed to the shot,and trying to keep to scope on the animal after the shot ,he shouldn't notice the bang or kick,if he dose,he's not concentrating properly !

Really?

Could there be other reasons for that?:

• shot placement
• cartridge choice
• The fact that many deer will run on even if heart/lung shot until they bleed out

Sorry but I find it hard to believe that in the Uk, sub 150yds, there's any difference whatsoever to any deer species between being hit with a 270 or a 308 given the same shot placement and distance. Also, many deer will run on, even if just 50 yds, when heart/lung shot. That would be largely irrespective of what calibre was used.

This whole debate is launching into farce quite honestly, when the knock down power of a .308 in something like say 168g is being questioned for any UK deer species.

 

[Chasey]

More ruinners with the 308?

At 150yards the 15% heavier308 is traveling at 2491 fps with an energy of 2066n

At 150 yards the smaller lighter 270 round is doing 2642 but only has 2015n energy?

So we are to beleive the biggest factor in the person having more runners is the bullit he's using thats both bigger and has more energy on impact?

I cant find the logic in this

The real reasion is either type of projectile and / or shot placement

Or perhaps the deer realise they have been shot with a Blasser and fall over out of respect

ATB

 

[blaser.270]

Good point ,well made.
As long as men hunt deer,there will always be the calibre argument .
I love my .270 ,as I very very rarely get runners,but I also rarely shoot animals in the chest ,which is a whole other 5 pages of heated''opinion'' !