Whats the most versatile rifle caliber, 270 or 30-06?

Rule3

Rule3

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The most versatile for lets say 90% target and just range shooting and the other 10% for hunting Deer, and/or Hogs.
This and the ability to reload a wide range of different loads.

Guys at the gun shop say 30-06 due to the larger amount of loads and bullet weights that can be reloaded. Plus there is a real nice older Rem 700 with great wood in 30-06 for sale, but there is also a Savage 270 synthetic stock with a better scope.
 
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30-06 for sure. Savage makes some good guns but they aren't as good as the Remington 700 series. When it comes to load selection there's no comparison and the 30-06 wins hands down as far as I'm concerned.
 
Ford or Chevy? Vanilla or chocolate? Both are great and will do anything you ask of them...whichever fits YOU best is the one you'll like the best. Neither are the IDEAL range/target gun, and both are very capable on deer...
 
Jst1mr said:
Ford or Chevy? Vanilla or chocolate? Both are great and will do anything you ask of them...whichever fits YOU best is the one you'll like the best. Neither are the IDEAL range/target gun, and both are very capable on deer...
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No, but I am not ready for the 6mm shooting crowd.

I am mostly a handgun shooter. I do shoot a 223 bolt action and AR15 and a plink with a 30 carbine, and AK 47.

So if I get a rifle like this, it's only one and whatever is best for all around.
 
The .30-06 is more versatile simply because of the ability to use heavier bullets; they are both excellent calibers and either one will serve most well for many different uses. Personally, thought, I prefer the .270.
 
"Savage makes some good guns but they aren't as good as the Remington 700 series..."

Perhaps mostly true some years ago, though I'm guessing there's very many Savage fans who will beg to differ. Big Green quality very spotty these days...
 
The 270 Win. is an excellent cartridge, but the 30-06 is a bit more versatile. The scope will be a lot easier to change than the cartridge.
 
Go for the 700,Get you a good scope later.
How many times do you open a gun mag. and see 30-06's compared to others?Now 270 compared to others?Nothing much you can't do with an '06.
Just my observation,D.G.
 
The .30/06 will alow you to hunt a much wider range of game more effectively than the .270 due to the wider range of bullet weights, and anyone who argues differently is simply stumping for their preferred round cause thems the facts.

The old /06 will shoot just about as flat as the .270 with good handloads in either using bullet weights that are ideal for each round, and that can be verified by running the rounds across a chrono to get the real world velocities they turn in instead of the published velocities in ammo brochures.

For the average deer, there's little to choose between them, but for game like bear, elk, or moose, the .30/06 is a better choice.

It hasn't been the cartridge against which all others are judged for no reason.;)
 
I'm a .270 fan, but the two cartridges are in the same class and the game won't know the difference. There are more bullet styles and weights available in .30 caliber, but there's enough in .270 to keep you happy. I'm a Remington 700 fan too.
 
Rem 700 30.06 would be my vote too. I've had one since 1979 and shot many deer with it and may be my future elk and mulie gun too. I've since bought three more Rem 700s in different calibers and can't see a different bolt rifle in my future.
 
Jack O'Connor was THE advocate of the .270, I have fired them, quite pleasant accurate and I suspect, effective-I am not a hunter. But the 30/06 is still The King.
 
In the past, .30-06 ammo was available surplus. If you were lucky enough to stockpile a bunch, it makes a huge difference. If you go to gun shows, look at the private tables. You see tons of .30-06 ammo for sale at private tables. You almost never see .270 ammo for sale.
 
I am a 270 fan and my go-to is a Rem 700 - BUT the '06 is more versatile from .22 sabots to 220 grain moose stuff ( I do have several '06s including '03, '03 A3, several Garands and a 700).

RBURG FYI about 2/3s of my .270 brass is actually '06 match resized.
 
The 30-06 will do ANYTHING you will ever NEED to do in the USA.
Having hunted Florida with both, I think the 270 is too fast. I know that sounds weird, but the hogs aren't armor plated and the deer MIGHT weight 150 lbs.
Stick with the 150 grainers. Will do all you need. Used to shoot Winchester power points, 180 grains that were round nose. They seemed to hit harder. Haven't seen these loads in years.

The wood stocked 700 is much more gun than the dime-a-dozen savage synthetic. Save some cash to upgrade the scope.

Are the prices on the two guns the same? Condition? What scopes?
Hard to make a choice between the two without knowing these things.
 
I made that decision recently. I went with the .30-06 because of ammo choice and availability.

I also went with the Savage Model 114 Classic.

I was just at Bass Pro Shops with a shooting buddy and I recounted to him why I bought the Savage.

This model is gorgeous in my eyes. The wood has beautiful grain and is handsomely finished and the wood to metal fit is perfect. The checkering wraps around and is very well done. I like the black contrasting tip and the pistol grip cap with the brass Savage Indian logo.

The blueing is deep and dark. The bolt is jeweled and has the Savage Indian logo etched into it.

Comparing the Savage to the Browning, Ruger, Remington, T/C, and Winchester rifles that compete, none had all of the Savage's features and the 114 Classic was the least expensive.

Yep, I went with the Savage 144 Classic .30-06 and I've never looked back.

At 50 yards, it's boring because every round goes through the same hole. At 100 yards, the group is under 1 inch. I also like the user adjustable Accu-Trigger. Mine is set at just about 2 pounds.

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Savage002.jpg
 
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That is a great looking rifle and I agree with your statements above.

The Savage rifles have come a long way in recent years. My only issue anymore with Savage rifles, is I still don't like the looks of the rear end of the bolt, and while I understand the reasoning for the barrel nut, I would prefer that they weren't there. Other than that, they are very nice guns, at a great price (relatively speaking), and have a well deserved reputation for accuracy. I have been looking at them more and more when I hit the gun shops. I would like to try one just like yours in .25/06.;)
 
Bullets are so good right now that one REALLY does not need thirty caliber for ANY deer. I'd look at the 7mm-08 , though either the .270 or 06 are fine for about anything in NA the average guy will run into.

And gregitenn....my favorite "do everything in MT" rifle... either one of my .280 Rem's!!!

FN in MT
 
The only reason not to choose the 30-06 would be sensitivity to recoil. The 270 130 gr. load doesn't kick as hard a the 30-06 150 gr.

I have shot a lot of deer-size game with both and my experience is that a "well placed shot" from a 30-06 is more likely to drop one in its tracks.
 
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