[Hotshot]

Thinking about getting back into deer hunting. I bought my .308 to hunt paper, so of course I'll need a new gun to hunt whitetails
I've never been a fan of the 30-06, but give it it's due respect. I also find the .270WSM an interesting round.
What's yalls opinions, and why? Most shots I'm sure will be closer to the 100yd mark, but possibly on out to 350 or so

 

[rix]

if i had to choose i would go the 30-06 it's cheaper ammo and has longer barrel life and if your only going to be shooting shorter ranges you would be wasting the 270 wsm's long range ability

 

[jerrschmitt]

I use a 6.5X55 Swede Remington Classic. It works just fine but they are hard to come by. I don't know what part of the country you live in but a .243 / .308 or just about any other caliber works well on white tails. I've used .357 Mag. .41 Mag and .44 Mag pistols and most calibers of rifles.I believe a 30-06 is a little heavy for them but that's just me.

 

[dratt1957]

30-06 150GR BULLET........AS GOOD AS IT GETS,BUT I DO PREFER THE 280 REM.HOWEVER ,AMMO NOT AS AVAILABLE,BUT A GREAT ROUND.

 

[thornblom]

I have used all of the calibers listed above, plus .300 Savage, .250-3000 Savage, .223 Remington, .25-06, .30-30 wcf, .32 Winchester Special, 7x30 Improved, 7mm Remington Mag, and .270 wcf. Of them all, I prefer the .270 wcf because the .270 and I have a long past and it works great for me with 130 grain bullets at 3000 ft/sec.

Sincerely,
Dave (Bubba) Thornblom

 

[Doug308]

I have used all of the calibers listed above, plus .300 Savage, .250-3000 Savage, .223 Remington, .25-06, .30-30 wcf, .32 Winchester Special, 7x30 Improved, 7mm Remington Mag, and .270 wcf. Of them all, I prefer the .270 wcf because the .270 and I have a long past and it works great for me with 130 grain bullets at 3000 ft/sec.

Sincerely,
Dave (Bubba) Thornblom

I have to go with the .308 if I am using the scope. And my trusty Winchester 94 has never failed me in the brush at close range.

 

[dratt1957]

Where are you planning to hunt?It does make a difference somewhat.The 30-06 with 180 gr
round nose works great in heavy brush, sometimes its about bullet choice,which the .30 cals
can't be beat in that dept.The choices are almost unlimited.270 cal really has poor selection
of bullets compared to 7mm or .30 cal. by the way the 06 is still very accurate at 350 yds
with the right bullet.Western hunter's still use the 30-06 more than all others and a whitetail
is not really any different than a mule deer,just where they live is different,and the 06 will
adapt like no other round available.it's still is my favorite elk round for western oregon with it's 165 and 180 gr bullets, for deer it's a toss-up with my .280 which does shoot a little flatter,like the .270, actually some experts believe that the .270 is too light for elk. I believe it the bare
minimum, but then we come back to bullet selection.

 

[a300fe1]

You already have a perfect round, the .308. Why change? If it is used to kill people out to 1,000 yards, Why not deer? People put too much thought into all the "caliber games". It just doesn't matter that much, all the calibers above .22 will easily kill deer sized game. A friend of mine in Colorado used his .243 to take 11 elk and never had one run off after being hit.

 

[Hotshot]

You already have a perfect round, the .308. Why change? If it is used to kill people out to 1,000 yards, Why not deer? People put too much thought into all the "caliber games". It just doesn't matter that much, all the calibers above .22 will easily kill deer sized game. A friend of mine in Colorado used his .243 to take 11 elk and never had one run off after being hit.

I have a 6mm Rem that has dropped many deer also. My .308 is for killing paper, Im getting a new gun for killing deer. I dont have a 30-06, and have heard a lot of people sing its praises all my life, so I figured, why not?

 

[dratt1957]

You already have a perfect round, the .308. Why change? If it is used to kill people out to 1,000 yards, Why not deer? People put too much thought into all the "caliber games". It just doesn't matter that much, all the calibers above .22 will easily kill deer sized game. A friend of mine in Colorado used his .243 to take 11 elk and never had one run off after being hit.

I have a 6mm Rem that has dropped many deer also. My .308 is for killing paper, Im getting a new gun for killing deer. I dont have a 30-06, and have heard a lot of people sing its praises all my life, so I figured, why not?

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG,WITH ANOTHER GUN!!! IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE TOO MANY?.......WHAT
YOU ARE REALLY THINKING IS, I NEED A LARGER, OR ANOTHER GUN SAFE. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO
HAVE TOO MANY! SOOOO.... ENJOY!!!! YOUR NEW 30-06 OR WHAT EVER ELSE YOU CHOOSE.

 

[a300fe1]

Well you are certainly correct about that! Didn't mean to suggest not buying another rifle, but if Hotshot buys another .308 it will be easier on the cost of equipment. Hell, just buy one of every caliber rifle, I guess that's the answer for all of us Rem 700 people. I know if I was filthy rich I would buy one rifle of every caliber made in the 700 "Classic" series. I did see one time on Gun Broker where a guy was selling the entire collection of 700 "Classics", one of every caliber offered. He was asking $18,000.00 for it. I think he might have ended up splitting the collection up. Better buy now before the three stooges (Barry, Harry, and Nancy) get their way!!!!!!

 

[dratt1957]

Well you are certainly correct about that! Didn't mean to suggest not buying another rifle, but if Hotshot buys another .308 it will be easier on the cost of equipment. Hell, just buy one of every caliber rifle, I guess that's the answer for all of us Rem 700 people. I know if I was filthy rich I would buy one rifle of every caliber made in the 700 "Classic" series. I did see one time on Gun Broker where a guy was selling the entire collection of 700 "Classics", one of every caliber offered. He was asking $18,000.00 for it. I think he might have ended up splitting the collection up. Better buy now before the three stooges (Barry, Harry, and Nancy) get their way!!!!!!

AMEN TO THAT, AND GOD BLESS THE U.S.A AND THE N.R.A.!

 

[Larry in SD]

I have been hunting Deer since 1967 here in Northeastern South Dakota. I have used quite a few different cartridges in those years.

In rifles the list goes like this:
.223 Remington
.22-250 Remington
.243 Winchester
6mm Remington
.270 Winchester
.280 Remington
.30-06 Springfield
.30-30 Winchester

All in all I have probably shot more Whitetail Deer with the .30-06 that any otehr.

In 1982 I got the bug to hunt with Single Shot Speciality Pistols, as such I have hunted Whitetail Deer with the following:
.223 Remington T/C Contender
6mm-223 Remington XP-100 & T/C Contender
6mm T/CU T/C Contender
.243 Encore T/C Encore
.250 Savage T/C Contender
7-30 Waters T/C Contender
.284 Winchester T/C Encore
.30-30 Ackley Improved

I have killed Whitetail Deer with all of the above, and made 0ne shot kills with all of the above.

This coming Deer Season I am going to be using a Cartridge I have never hunted with before. I recently acquired a Remington Model 700 SPS in .308 Winchester. Hopefully in the next week or so I am going to begin working up a handload for the .308 with 165gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips.

Larry

 

[Ky Fur Buster]

I have killed many whitetail with the 308, 243, 30-06, 44mag, and 40s/w. I personally don't think there is anything wrong with the 30-06 at extended ranges (longest for me w/30-06 was 412 yds DRT) I use the 150 gr pills in my 06. However it always starts a pissing match when the 270 and 30-06 are compared, don't you all agree. For my deer rifles I usually try to pick ammo that is readly available anywhere, just in case I forget to pack it or loose it :/ .

 

[Larry in SD]

As to the difference between the .308 and the .30-06, I recently did some chronographing with a couple of Remingtons.

First is a Remington Model 700 Stainless-Synthetic BDL that belongs to my nephew. It has a 24" Barrel. It's perferred load is 150gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips loaded with H-4350.

.30-06
24" Remington 700 S-S BDL
150gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip
59.0grs. H-4350
Cartridge Case = Federal
Primer = CCI BR-2
Cartridge Overall Length = 3.432"

Velocity
1st Shot 2834
2nd Shot 2872
3rs Shot 2892
4th Shot 2888
5th Shot 2885
Average Velocity 2874
Extreme Spread 58
Standard Deviation 9.22

Next is my new Remington Model 700 SPS. I had had the barrel on this SPS shortened and recrowned to 20".

I have been working with two loads in this .308. The results are as follows:

.308 Winchester
20" Remington Model 700 SPS
150gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip
46.5grs. Hodgdon Varget
Cartridge Case = Winchester
Primer = CCI-BR2
Cartridge Overall Length = 2.815"

Velocity
1st Shot 2757
2nd Shot 2727
3rs Shot 2735
4th Shot 2716
5th Shot 2719
Average 2731
Spread 41
Deviation 7.81

.308 Winchester
20" Remington Model 700 SPS
165gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip
45.0grs. Hodgdon Varget
Cartridge Case = Winchester
Primer = CCI-BR2
Cartridge Overall Length = 2.820"

Velocity
1st Shot 2602
2nd Shot 2604
3rs Shot 2599
4th Shot 2618
5th Shot 2607
Average 2606
Spread 19
Deviation 5.10

In these two Rifles the .30-06 achieved 143 FPS more velocity with 150gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips using 12.5grs. more powder with a 4" longer barrel.

Draw your own conclusions, but for me the .308 produces enough less recoil, and with the 20" barrel is a much more balanced package that for me the 143 FPS is not worth it.

Larry

 

[Quick]

At longer ranges the extra FPS is worth it but tahst when you get to 800m and beyond, if you dont shoot that far, you wont need it.

I agree the 20" barrel makes for a nice well balanced shooting rig. The only think I wnat now is a new scope and scope base and ill leave mine for a bit. Then I'll build a M40A1.

 

[stex shooter]

I will go against the grain in the modern hunting world. You do not need a magnum to kill a deer. Shorter barrel life, sore shoulders, and a waste of powder are a few reasons to stay away from the hard kicking magnums. That said, I do have a 7mm mag. and it is a great rifle and I do hunt deer with it, but it stays home more and more.
For close work in brush I love my model 94 30-30 open sights. In short action I like the .243, 7mm-08, 7x57, and .308.
In a long action the 25-06, .270, .280( I think the .280 is a much more versatile caliber than the .270), and the venerable 30-06.
Good luck in narrowing it down and picking your new hunting rifle. Whatever it is, post pics and good luck on getting back in the woods. Remember an accurate, dependable rifle and proper shot placement put more game on the table than the caliber alone. Get something you'll enjoy shooting.

 

[700Sage]

"In these two Rifles the .30-06 achieved 143 FPS more velocity with 150gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips using 12.5grs. more powder with a 4" longer barrel."

I would call this an invalid comparison. With 150 grain NBT's both the 30-06 and the .308 will achieve almost identical velocities given the same barrel length. I know I have achieved 3003 fps in a .308 using 150 grain Nosler Accubonds with a gun that has a 22" barrel. The 30-06 doesn't really stand out from the .308 until you load 180 grain or heavier bullets. At this point the .308 will lose powder capacity because of the longer bullet and the 30-06 will outperform. As whitetail hunting goes you really don't need a bullet in the 180 grain range. 150 grain Ballistic Tips are just about perfect for whitetail. So, considering that the .308 will produce less recoil, is cheaper to reload, and will produce nearly identical energy/velocity with 150 grain rounds I'd have to go with the .308 FTW.

 

[Larry in SD]

700Sage my point was that given the 4" of barrel difference there was only 143 FPS difference and if the barrel lengths were the same there may not be enough difference worth talking about. Yes when compairing velocities from different length barrel it is an apples to oranges type of thing.

I have shot .30-06's most of my life, and this is my first experience with a .308. So far I am very pleased with my choice of going with the .308.

Larry

 

[dratt1957]

I will go against the grain in the modern hunting world. You do not need a magnum to kill a deer. Shorter barrel life, sore shoulders, and a waste of powder are a few reasons to stay away from the hard kicking magnums. That said, I do have a 7mm mag. and it is a great rifle and I do hunt deer with it, but it stays home more and more.
For close work in brush I love my model 94 30-30 open sights. In short action I like the .243, 7mm-08, 7x57, and .308.
In a long action the 25-06, .270, .280( I think the .280 is a much more versatile caliber than the .270), and the venerable 30-06.
Good luck in narrowing it down and picking your new hunting rifle. Whatever it is, post pics and good luck on getting back in the woods. Remember an accurate, dependable rifle and proper shot placement put more game on the table than the caliber alone. Get something you'll enjoy shooting.

I love the .280 and I concur,great round underrated,but one of the most common rounds for
custom rifle makers.....hmmmm