Long action calibre

700user

Well-Known Member
Hi, probably a strange question but do many people use the likes of 30 06 or 25 06 or 270 for targets, always fancied one as never really seen them used at range, does the larger case capacity give much of an edge over say 308 etc ?
 
Hi, probably a strange question but do many people use the likes of 30 06 or 25 06 or 270 for targets, always fancied one as never really seen them used at range, does the larger case capacity give much of an edge over say 308 etc ?
Deer targets .270 @288 mts v the .308 loop de loop :norty:
 
I use .25-06 hunting and plink targets
Problem is lack of readily available match ammo and variety of it

Accuracy wise / target wise the way it’s gone is the short action more modern cartridge design

Good for plinking informal fun bit of serious its lack of components read bullets for that forte
 
One reason you tend to see short cartridges used for targets is down to ignition/burn.
A short fat case will give more uniform ignition/burn, generally resulting in lower ES/SD than a longer skinnier cartridge.

This means cartridges like the .270 and .30-06 are not ideal, particularly when there are other options with similar/greater case capacities in a shorter design (BR, Dasher, SAUM, WSM etc).
For this reason, typically you don't see these more traditional calibres used for targets where that is their primary use.

This isn't to say they can't or won't work well, but it may be a little more difficult to achieve the same results with the longer thinner cartridges.


Ben
 
The 270 does seem a very popular deer cartridge just wondering why they not used much for targets
I think it's largely down to the bullet manufacturers have invested and developed the 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm and .30 so they generally have higher bc bullets than other calibres. Also the powder burns more efficiently in shorter, fatter cases with the shoulders more square. If I am looking for a new rifle with a change in cartridge, then I look at what the target shooters are favouring and load it with a bullet that kills well. My personal rifles are 6.5-284 and 6.5x47L. I have a 270w as a work rifle because I have no choice
 
I think it's largely down to the bullet manufacturers have invested and developed the 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm and .30 so they generally have higher bc bullets than other calibres. Also the powder burns more efficiently in shorter, fatter cases with the shoulders more square. If I am looking for a new rifle with a change in cartridge, then I look at what the target shooters are favouring and load it with a bullet that kills well. My personal rifles are 6.5-284 and 6.5x47L. I have a 270w as a work rifle because I have no choice
What size case is the 6.5-284, is that long action
 
284 can be either depending on how the leade is throated

Some if specified for 120 g for example can be used in short action and loaded under 2.850” (oal)

Howver to get the best from the 284 case in either 7mm or 6.5 guise you need to seat the bullet only to the base of the neck : shoulder junction - therefore most are best served in long action form

The 6.5/284 is especially suited to 110-130 non lead and 140 class cup and core bullets

The 284 will work with anything up to 180g though at this bulket weight it’s arguably better in improved form (so long as your particular rifle will feed that altered case )

The baseline case for Benchrest in the late 60’s and F class through to today and with a huge following world wide for hunters in the know
 
30-06 is originally a target cartridge and works very well in 150 class and up bullet weight (with decent reloading practice)

Served people very well at Camp Perry in Garand rifles and continued in military service as a sniping cartridge for many years before 308 came bumbling along

Superb deer killing cartridge (as is 270 and sister 25-06)
 
The 270 does seem a very popular deer cartridge just wondering why they not used much for targets
It was designed as a hunting cartridge and just didn't take off due to so many other available options. Limited bullet choice probably being the main factor.
 
It was designed as a hunting cartridge and just didn't take off due to so many other available options. Limited bullet choice probably being the main factor.
It has been the main say of "hill stalking" in your neck of the woods since they first come in so not sure where you get your info from? Corn Flake box?
 
The 270 does seem a very popular deer cartridge just wondering why they not used much for targets
It kicks a bit, it has never been a popular target caliber so most of the bullets available are for hunting.
There are better choices for target shooting, however there is no better choice for deer hunting.
 
It has been the main say of "hill stalking" in your neck of the woods since they first come in so not sure where you get your info from? Corn Flake box?
Is there a reason you appear to go out of your way to be unpleasant? 🤔

In answer to your question, I think you'll find my answer is couched in the context of responding to why the .270 isn't popular as a target rifle. Perhaps we should limit our interaction in future if you find my posts so difficult to understand?
 
Is there a reason you appear to go out of your way to be unpleasant? 🤔

In answer to your question, I think you'll find my answer is couched in the context of responding to why the .270 isn't popular as a target rifle. Perhaps we should limit our interaction in future if you find my posts so difficult to understand?
I responded to the op from a target (deer) answer as I have found it works well in both 130/150 heads.
I shoot targets to gain where the round is going then equate them into deer, both weights factory of several brands worked well so had no problem bearing in mind it is just a piece of paper...
If I was to shoot targets I would take my .270 as it performs very well on deer also paper.
So from my side of the fence it is fine, the .270 has many more variants over time than these popular sizes.

I gave my opinion from use not because of someone "said"
 
I have no time for the 270 nor 25-06, the 30-06 I would consider especially with heavy bullets. Or even 7x64/280 due to high BC modern bullets. Then again, I do see the reasoning behind the newer Hornady cartridges as in 6.5CM, 6.5PRC, 7PRC, 300PRC and think they make sense. The good thing about these modern cartridges is that they carefully matched case capacity to modern powders and achievable accuracy combined with modern bullets/rifle twist rates. They are not overcooked in performance, hence the staggered case lengths.
edi
 
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