I’m going to make my .243 my foxing rifle with nightvision so looking to add a stalking rifle to my cabinet. It will be mainly for roe but hoping to get a couple of days out on red deer. Aswell as the chance of boar on a trip I already have booked. (Not necessarily targeting boar but been told the chance may arise). I will also be shooting factory rounds. So will have to take into consideration availability of ammo. I’ve narrowed it down to .270 or .308. Might of opened a can of worms here but I’m interested to see what others think. Thanks.
.308 or .270
- Thread starter Antlerman
- Start date
Exactly what I have done, I have a drone 10 on the .243 which I use for foxing also muntjac when their come out of cover clock is quite late.
Very happy with the .270 it has a z6 on top 150gn heads not a pis sing comp but fallow out 280 mts off a dead rest
Over gunned on muntjac but the next deer could be a lump so .270 it is.
In my experience high velocity makes a mess, so I'd make my decision based on range. If you're open field stalking and take most shots at 150m+, .270. If you woodland stalk and shoot them sub 100m a lot, .308. Both are up there at the high end of common UK deer calibres so they'll have plenty of energy for the odd boar and also a good supply of ammunition available pretty much anywhere. I don't think you will really go wrong with either of them.
308 all day for me, easy to get ammo & more than capable of taking any quarry you are likely to encounter in the UK, Scandinavia & Europe - have shot Moose with mine. Have spent many years culling fallow on fields and open downland with normal shots at 200-300 yards with no problems, as well as in woodlands at much shorter ranges. Others will have their preference but this is my two penn'eth for what it's worth.
Mud Stuffin
Well-Known Member
.308 all day long - easy to get ammo anywhere you go at home or abroad and does the job without any fuss or fanfare.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
If most of your stalking is open hill then 270, mixed woodland / farmland etc then 308. And for boar then 308.
But as others have pointed out 7x57 well worth a look as it can shoot fast and flat like a 270, or with a bigger 156 / 173 gn bullet deal with bigger animals. Best all round calibre though in my view in the 7x64. It is loaded a little hotter than most 7x57 ammo, it has a faster 1 in 8 twist so will stabilise any bullet, especially non-toxic, has modest recoil, especially with lighter bullets yet more than capable of taking just about any four legged game animal.
But it’s not that popular in the UK which I do find surprising.
And don’t discount the 30-06 either.
To be honest find a nice rifle that firs you in any of the above calibres and you would be adequate for anything that doesn’t need a 375
But as others have pointed out 7x57 well worth a look as it can shoot fast and flat like a 270, or with a bigger 156 / 173 gn bullet deal with bigger animals. Best all round calibre though in my view in the 7x64. It is loaded a little hotter than most 7x57 ammo, it has a faster 1 in 8 twist so will stabilise any bullet, especially non-toxic, has modest recoil, especially with lighter bullets yet more than capable of taking just about any four legged game animal.
But it’s not that popular in the UK which I do find surprising.
And don’t discount the 30-06 either.
To be honest find a nice rifle that firs you in any of the above calibres and you would be adequate for anything that doesn’t need a 375
Sonicdmb73
Well-Known Member
@Antlerman Look at the minimum requirements for the country/s that you intend on taking your boar trip to.
I have a 270 my friend has one and shot many Roe and all other UK species with no problem. However unless you want the excuse to add a further rifle, you might not be able to use it on your trip.
Another friend swapped his 270 202 barrel (now mine) for a 30-06 based in part on an upcoming (at the time) trip on boar.
I have a 270 my friend has one and shot many Roe and all other UK species with no problem. However unless you want the excuse to add a further rifle, you might not be able to use it on your trip.
Another friend swapped his 270 202 barrel (now mine) for a 30-06 based in part on an upcoming (at the time) trip on boar.
Thanks for the quick replies. It’ll be used in uk only. And boar would be in Scotland. I’m not saying I’ll be doing much boar (unless I shoot one and get the buzz) but there is boar where I’ve booked on for stalking. Might not even see one. I don’t shoot out at great distances either on roe. Probably 150yrd is furthest I’ve shot one. I’ve shot roe with a mates .308 but don’t know much about the .270
It doesn’t really matter.
You will see absolutely endless amounts written about this, with people vehemently arguing for one or the other.
But at standard UK stalking ranges, in standard conditions, using standard ammo, the differences between them are so utterly, utterly marginal that it really makes no difference.
You could be given either at random each day you went out, and never know the difference.
Woodsmoke
Well-Known Member
I have both. I use 180 grain sp in the .308, and 130 grain sp in the .270 with minimal damage to roe at all sensible ranges from either. I actually tend to leave the .308 in the cabinet most of the time, to be honest. Granted, it's my woodland rifle with a Lyman 57 peep sight, and my .270 has an 8 x 56 so is eminently more practical, but I just prefer the .270. I've downloaded it around 2700fps, and find it's an absolutely great round on roe, with the energy to take reds at sensible ranges too. I love the .270! Yes, there are fewer options for bullet weights, but does anyone really need more than that? Find a bullet that suits your rifle and I'd like to bet it'll be a long time before you consider a change, regardless of whichever calibre you settle on 
As @Mungo says, you'll see arguments for both but at the end of the day it really comes down to personal preference.
As @Mungo says, you'll see arguments for both but at the end of the day it really comes down to personal preference.
Must admit I am a fan of the 270 taken muntjac to eland with it 130 grain Sierra bullets all with minimal meat damage. My other favourite is the 30 06 with 150 grain bullets. My first rifle was a 308 never got with it even after taking my first deer with it.
I eventually shot the 270 out and replaced it with a 6.5 x 57 similar in performance to the 270.
I eventually shot the 270 out and replaced it with a 6.5 x 57 similar in performance to the 270.
stevenedwards
Well-Known Member
I have neither but have shot both as estate rifles. I would agree with others that the differences and comparative advantages do not seem huge. as you mentioned factory ammunition and we have the drift to non lead to deal with my choice would be 308 because of likely range of loads and availability and the possible move to making a bigger hole not a faster one. Who knows how the situation will evolve in the light of developments in non lead bullets in the future.
Used an estate .308 Parker Hale for a couple of years on Fallow. Was about as enamoured with it as when we changed from 303 to 7.62 FN. Did the job mainly in woodland but not one for me. My BSA .270 Majestic was more violent than half a dozen Kung Fu fighters, lasted two months.
Nothing between them really, 270 sends a lighter pill faster, 308 can use a much heavier projectile. Highland boys typically love the 270 as it’s flatter, better for hind culling where 200plus yards is mandatory. Both similar grunt, and fill a similar place in the uk stalking scene, ideal for reds/fallow/sika. Neither are awful to shoot with a mod and a well fitting decent stock. I had an unmoderated 308 finnlight which was ‘lively’.
I bought a 308 last year, I’d of happy taken a 270 or a 30-06, or even a 7mm RM as it was really to be used exclusively for reds. I just found a nice clean wee sako that fitted the bill.
I guess 308 will be easier to find ammo, especially going into the copper era, however it isn’t like 270 is a fringe wildcat round so I’m not sure that’s the basis for the decision. If you want to shoot boar the option of a 180-200g lead bullet might swing it to 308, if you are culling herd species at range…the 270?
I bought a 308 last year, I’d of happy taken a 270 or a 30-06, or even a 7mm RM as it was really to be used exclusively for reds. I just found a nice clean wee sako that fitted the bill.
I guess 308 will be easier to find ammo, especially going into the copper era, however it isn’t like 270 is a fringe wildcat round so I’m not sure that’s the basis for the decision. If you want to shoot boar the option of a 180-200g lead bullet might swing it to 308, if you are culling herd species at range…the 270?
Brave Echo Niner
Well-Known Member
.308 with 130 grain TTSX, will be nice and flat shooting, with plenty of knockdown power as well as good penetration for boar.
Ben
Ben
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