My Dilemma Has Been Answered

[Narragansett]

I have thought about a new rifle for near 40 years. The question has always been, 270 or 308. I have 4 30-06 rifles, and would buy nothing larger, I can't take the pounding.

Last night, I had a restless night's sleep. I have had plenty of those in the last few months, but I woke up in the middle of the night, and looked at the clock.

It said on the digital 3:08. It took a while, but I now have clear direction.

 

[LVSteve]

Hmm. I find that .308 has a sharp recoil on the shoulder. 7.62x51 NATO ammo is even worse because of its faster powder. I'd have gone 270 or even 6.5 CM.

 

[s&wchad]

.270, .30-06, .308... No big difference.

I like to have multiples of all three. It makes ammo selection easier.

 

[Model52guy]

I hunted for the perfect caliber for a long time. Eventually settled. On the 25-06. Wide range of bullet weights and loads. Had a 308 in a Remington M600. It was a hammer on the shoulder. Ended up with a ruger 77 in 25-06.

 

[murphydog]

I get that 100%. I see 2:23 AM on the clock too many times for it to be a coincidence.

 

[GypsmJim]

My hunting handgun is an Encore in 0.308 Winchester. It sports Goodyears and the scope has 4 rings, not 2.

I only shoot a single test fire each year, the day before Deer season. It has always been spot on. Of course I have ear plugs on and naturally I can feel the recoil.

The funny thing is that when I have a deer in the sights and I pull the trigger, I can't hear it or feel any recoil.

 

[GypsmJim]

I get that 100%. I see 2:23 AM on the clock too many times for it to be a coincidence.

I just entered the AR world over the past year. Accuracy and felt recoil are amazing. Sorry I didn't go there long ago.

 

[Narragansett]

I just entered the AR world over the past year. Accuracy and felt recoil are amazing. Sorry I didn't go there long ago.

I have given that thought also, but there are too many choices and I do not want to make a mistake. I know nothing, I mean nothing about them

 

[JRB416]

Pete, I would go .270 Winchester. The .308 is another 30 caliber and you have several 30-06 rifles. I like the 30-06 btw, it's one of my favorite rifle cartridges just behind the .270 Winchester.

I guess you don't see 2:70 am very often though on the alarm clock.

Best to you and your wife.

JRB

 

[jdlii]

I would suggest a DPMS Oracle. I have hunted with this rifle for 10 years. Changed the scope to my favorite brand and kept hunting!

The last buck that I took with this rifle was at 175 yards. I reload and found that the Sierra 165 BT Game King provides sub MOA accuracy with the load suggested in the Sierra Manual.

10 round Magpul magazines are perfect in the stand or the shooting house.

 

[Yendor357]

My Son has a suppressed 16 inch AR-10 in .308. 18X Leupold CDS. Two stage LaRue trigger and a free floated hand guard.

Wow, what a rifle. 3 shot groups at 100 yards under an inch with my 175 grain Sierra hand loads. Recoil is very mild with the can. Noise? Just a loud thump.

My 308s are all pretty heavy at 10 plus pounds. So I don’t notice a sharp recoil. I’m not saying it’s not there….just that I don’t notice it.

 

[Mule Packer]

I've owned a couple .308's in my lifetime. Both good guns. I know everybody is adding their two cents worth, and my opinion probably isn't even worth that much, but after shoulder surgery, the recoil from my .30-06 and .308 was just a bit too disconcerting, if you catch my drift.

My solution? I went with a 7mm-08. It's on a Ruger M77 platform and I love it. It's as accurate as I could ever want and, most of all, the recoil isn't punishing in the slightest. Again...just my two cents worth.

 

[Photog]

If you are open to another caliber, I agree with Mule Packet and would consider a 7mm-08.

 

[DWalt]

For versatility, the .270 wins the prize. With light bullets, it is a fully adequate varmint rifle. With heavy bullets it is capable of use on any North American big game out to 300 yards and is the equal of a . 30-‘06 or .308.

 

[Llance]

.30-06 X 5, .270 X 1, .30-30 X 1, .308 X 2, 7MM Mau X 2, 6.5x55 X 2. Which have I shot the most? None. Most often, when I go shooting, it's one of my Mossberg .22's, or my Stevens #6 .22. I'm not gun shy, just haven't been hunting in the big piney for over 30 years. Haven't fired a .223 in over 40 years, or a .22 mag in over 30. I think I need to send some rounds down range. 9MM, 9MMk, .32 acp, .45 acp, .38 and .357 plenty, but my rifles not so much.

 

[crows]

At least you didn't see 4:58 on the clock!

 

[S-W4EVER]

I get that 100%. I see 2:23 AM on the clock too many times for it to be a coincidence.

Too bad you can’t wait ‘til 5:56...

 

[TheTinMan]

For versatility, the .270 wins the prize. With light bullets, it is a fully adequate varmint rifle. With heavy bullets it is capable of use on any North American big game out to 300 yards and is the equal of a . 30-‘06 or .308.

This was my first thought. 270 shoots flatter than 30-06 or 308, although I think .308 recoil is a little less.

Then I thought “does he reload?” Because then using the same .308 caliber bullets for both cartridges might be good.

7mm-08 would be the lightest recoil and flattest trajectory of any of the cartridges mentioned. Bullet weights range from 120 to 180 grains. I’m a fan, but I’m also a handloader. You can find the ammunition, but it’s not like .30-30, .270, .30-06 or .308 that you can get anytime there’s ammo somewhere.

 

[zeke]

Guess it might depend on what ya want to do with the rifle. While have given up hunting years ago, am guessing versatility of the 270 would be tough to beat. Depending on what you usually hunt for.

However for target/range/other practicality's 308 is currently my choice. Once past the conceptions some may have of the AR platform, it offers many advantages. Especially in being able to fit you easily. Even the bolt rifles am shooting more frequently have pistol grips, detachable mags and accuracy.

 

[crows]

One thing is how much do you intend to walk and carry the rifle. If not much, give a suppressor a thought. They really do seem to help reduce felt recoil. Though I'm not sure if going with an ultra lightweight rifle and a suppressor will get you much reduction in felt recoil. Just a thought.