Whenever I'm asked, I always recommend the 270. I hunt PA whitetails, and set up along the narrow side of a very long grain field, so the 270 fills the bill for the long shots with minimum recoil.
My Dilemma Has Been Answered
- Thread starter Narragansett
- Start date
I've only owned a couple of rifles in .308. I inherited an Savage 99E from my F-I-L, and that lever action rifle kicked like a mule. However, my semi-auto Springfield M1A Loaded is a lot heavier and very comfortable to shoot. Since .30-06, .308, 7.62, .30-30 are all .30 caliber, why not try a .270 or a 6.5? Are you hunting or just shooting? If you like .30 caliber, how about the 350 Buckhammer or 350 Legend?
lrb1200
Member
Pete
Having read many of your posts, I have a perception
of where your interests are, but of course I may be wrong.
Just my suggestion, as you already have a 30ca rifle.
A Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 in 270 Win.
"The Rifleman's Rifle".
Leonard
Having read many of your posts, I have a perception
of where your interests are, but of course I may be wrong.
Just my suggestion, as you already have a 30ca rifle.
A Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 in 270 Win.
"The Rifleman's Rifle".
Leonard
My vote is go with your clock, the 308 shines in side of 100 yrds.
OP did not state what he plans on hunting , range toy or where and what he would be hunting. The 308 will handle most game to 300 yrds, easy to find ammo and also easy to find GOOD AMMO. Never seen match ammo for a 270.
OP did not state what he plans on hunting , range toy or where and what he would be hunting. The 308 will handle most game to 300 yrds, easy to find ammo and also easy to find GOOD AMMO. Never seen match ammo for a 270.
My clock must be broken cuz it sometimes says .375
OP
You know, I had one of those given to me, in 270 but it came with no bolt, and I looked forever to find a bolt and could not so I parted it out, and sold the parts.
For those that are asking, I am just going to use the rifle on the range. I do not hunt anymore
Hey Pete....do you really want to hump a 308?
Weeks back when you posted about your dilemma in thinking about a new rifle, you indicated you maybe were going varmint hunting out west, so long range was on your mind.
I don't know about hunting prairie dog, whistle-pig, ground hog, woodchuck or whatever name they go by out west, but if it involves even a little "walk in the sun" you sure as heck want to reconsider that 308 WIN, aka 7.62x51 NATO. Take it from me, having humped a M14 for several years with Uncle Sam that 9.3 lbs. (empty) "grows on you" very quickly. Add ammo and probably scope and you're maybe in the 10 lb arena. I got a Springfield M1A in trade a few years ago and couldn't gift it to my son-in-law quick enough.
I know you are looking at sporting rifles, but still the dang caliber sure does rattle your shoulder.
I would say go ahead and enter the AR-15 world, it is real cheap, tons of accessories from **** to neat stuff if you are so inclined. Learning is really easy since the M16 has been around since Viet Nam. My son got me into this AR thing and actually it is now one of my favorite rifles to shoot at our outdoor range. Unless of course you are thinking of joining the Marines (still using the M16 (looks like A2) in the desert in 2012.
Actually...I wish I had had one of these M16 clones back in 1961/1962 hunting woodchucks in Allegheny County New York. I used a old Savage 22 Hornet to good success in those days but probably could have tripled my daily bounty $.25/tail brought in to the farmers house) with the AR I have now.
Of course, I still own a 30-06 favorite, the one with the "Best sight picture Ever" but it too, punishes ye ole shoulder, but worth it hear the ping and watch the "modern kids" leave the adjacent lanes just to see what it is the ole coot is shooting that makes so much noise!
Whatever you end up choosing make sure your first shot is at that digital alarm clock (set up on suitable target platform of course), then you won't be plagued with this dilemma again.
Weeks back when you posted about your dilemma in thinking about a new rifle, you indicated you maybe were going varmint hunting out west, so long range was on your mind.
I don't know about hunting prairie dog, whistle-pig, ground hog, woodchuck or whatever name they go by out west, but if it involves even a little "walk in the sun" you sure as heck want to reconsider that 308 WIN, aka 7.62x51 NATO. Take it from me, having humped a M14 for several years with Uncle Sam that 9.3 lbs. (empty) "grows on you" very quickly. Add ammo and probably scope and you're maybe in the 10 lb arena. I got a Springfield M1A in trade a few years ago and couldn't gift it to my son-in-law quick enough.
I know you are looking at sporting rifles, but still the dang caliber sure does rattle your shoulder.
I would say go ahead and enter the AR-15 world, it is real cheap, tons of accessories from **** to neat stuff if you are so inclined. Learning is really easy since the M16 has been around since Viet Nam. My son got me into this AR thing and actually it is now one of my favorite rifles to shoot at our outdoor range. Unless of course you are thinking of joining the Marines (still using the M16 (looks like A2) in the desert in 2012.
Actually...I wish I had had one of these M16 clones back in 1961/1962 hunting woodchucks in Allegheny County New York. I used a old Savage 22 Hornet to good success in those days but probably could have tripled my daily bounty $.25/tail brought in to the farmers house) with the AR I have now.
Of course, I still own a 30-06 favorite, the one with the "Best sight picture Ever" but it too, punishes ye ole shoulder, but worth it hear the ping and watch the "modern kids" leave the adjacent lanes just to see what it is the ole coot is shooting that makes so much noise!
Whatever you end up choosing make sure your first shot is at that digital alarm clock (set up on suitable target platform of course), then you won't be plagued with this dilemma again.
Attachments
Then you made the perfect choice. Actually I'd vote 308 even for hunting, but for use on the range you get a proven accurate cartridge, easy to find ammo and components, and a fairly long barrel life.
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I think as a range-only gun, a .308 is pretty stout for putting little holes in paper. But let's see the range report anyhow. 
Tried a 25-06. Would now go to .257 Roberts. With newer powders it can be pushed to near 25-06 velocity. It so does recoil. Depends a lot on what you want to shoot. Whitetail or Moose, or grizzly?
hivel37
US Veteran
Ignore the clock.
If your main objective is punching holes
in paper, go with a center fire 22 cal.
Many .223’s will do that. Ammunition is everywhere.
If your main objective is punching holes
in paper, go with a center fire 22 cal.
Many .223’s will do that. Ammunition is everywhere.
GypsmJim
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I have to go back to the .223 again. Since my son bought an AR, and since I reload everything for him as well, I bought dies and got set up for .223 reloading. Since I didn't have an AR, but now had ammo available I bought a .223 barrel for my Encore.
After I got to shoot his, I knew I wanted to have one too. Of course after a few months I ended up with 2 of them. The second one started out as a stripped receiver and building a rifle was a fun adventure in itself.
I have rifles in 6.5, 7, 7.5. 8, 7.62x39, 7.62x54, .308 and 30-06, so I have a few to play with. Recoil was not particularity an issue, but what amazed me the most was the accuracy of the AR. I don't hunt with it, but as a target gun it is now my favorite.
For handguns, .357 and .45 Colt are my favorites, but 9mm is recently been high on the list. Whether you reload or not, SPPs and SRPs are the easiest to obtain. Plus, .223 and 9mm are the 2 calibers that on on the shelves anywhere. My other rifles are on the back burner now due to the sparse supply of LRPs.
Whatever your choice good luck. Be sure to check ammo availability beforehand.
OP
I have a 22-250, and a 222. Both beautiful rifles. I do realize that 223 is much more economical.
I was looking to shoot targets at 3-500 yards. I do not hunt anymore
Time waits for no one. Go buy your .308. Here's hoping you don't wake up at 4:58 tomorrow morning . . . .
Ivan the Butcher
Member
Pete, you are probably thinking of a Deer rifle, but if you think you'll do some Target/Varmint shooting I would recommend a heavy barrel bolt action in 308 Win. The most accurate ammo I found is Federal Gold Medal Match, the 155 grain Palma Load. Reloads of 29 grains of Varget with Fed 210M Primer, and Sierria's 155 grain "Palma" bullet (part # 3156) shoot just as well as the factory ammo. I consistently got 3" to 5" at 1085 yards, using a scope that cost more than the gun!
My oldest has a Remington 700 "PSP" in 308 with 1:10 twist (former Ohio Highway Patrol Rifle.) His Likes the Lake City 173 grain match ammo and the Gold Medal Match 175's
If you get a new gun, get an "Interesting" one!
Ivan
My oldest has a Remington 700 "PSP" in 308 with 1:10 twist (former Ohio Highway Patrol Rifle.) His Likes the Lake City 173 grain match ammo and the Gold Medal Match 175's
If you get a new gun, get an "Interesting" one!
Ivan
The .308 is probably the best centerfire rifle ctg ever developed. I have several. Handloading can basically equal the 30-06 velocities with 150-165 gr bullets. Brian Pearce has written articles about the .308 in Handloader magazine in a Ruger 77 MKII and reached velocities that are almost hard to believe without any pressure problems. Amazing, and fits in short action rifles.
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The .308 is probably a bit more common and easier to find ammo for, but the 270 is a terrific round as well.
What type of range shooting ya prefer was next question. While a strong proponent of the 223, am preferring 308 at 300-500 yds. Certainly it is done with the 223, but the 308 carries much better without the added specialization (expense). Am preferring heavy barrel, bipod and muzzle brake so hits on steel (preferred target) can be seen. But there are lots of options.
On a side note you do owe it to yourself to find a friend that will let you try an Ar-15.
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I woke up after you. Geez, .404 Jeffery's are hard to find and expensive.
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