.270/30-06 ballistics

ptsquid

December 29, 2002 16:20

OK. I know the .270 vs. 30-06 is a pretty common topic. But, I will ask another silly question.

I have always heard that the .270 is a flatter shooter than the 30-06. When this comment is stated, are we comparing the same bullet weights?

I downloaded a pretty handy ballistics comparison guide from the Remington website. I compared the .270 (I'm talking all factory ammo--I realize you can get better results with either if you handload) in 150gn. to the 30-06 150gn. Whether it's out to 250 or even 500 yards, the 06 outperforms the .270. I'm just wondering if the comparison is always .270 in 130gn vs. 30-06 150gn. If so, then certainly the .270 will outperform. But, even at 250yds, the 06 only drops approx. 1 inch more than the .270.

When you compare the 130gn .270 against the 125gn '06 round that Remington lists, then again, the '06 beats the .270.

Don't get me wrong, I like the .270. I just took a really nice Buck this past Friday with a 300yd shot using Rem 130gn. ammo. Did a really nice job. I now have a '06 and am overly curious about the "flatter shooter" idea.

Has anyone used Remington '06 rounds in 125gn? Do they group well? I can only find 150gn off-the-shelf locally.

Thanks.

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  BoltactionMan

  December 29, 2002 17:04

  The 180 grain '06 has been somewhat of the "standard" all other cartridges are compared to. Of course the 130 grain bullet is flatter than that.
  
  Using 130 gr. .270 vs. 150 gr. .30-06 the margin narrows, and with 150 vs. 150 the '06 starts off faster. The greater ballistic coefficient and sectional density of the .270, though, will carry its trajectory better at longer ranges. In fact, according to most of the info I have seen, the 150 gr. .270 is flatter shooting than the 130 gr. load at longer distances even though it does not start out as fast.
  
  KC

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  bambihunter

  January 11, 2003 16:29

  I think personally, if you are talking the differences between the 25-06/.260/.270/.280/ 30.06, then you are just splitting hairs... being based on the same case, they should have similar characteristics. The smaller diameter bullets should fly faster and flatter than their fatter counterparts. Of course, lightening up the bullet weight will help, as will using boat-tailed ballistic tipped bullets. There's more to killing an animal than speed, of course if it shoots flatter, it is easier to judge distance, but energy is more important. If you are worried about speed (and still want to keep up the energy levels) go with a 7mm STW or 7mm Rem Ultramag.
  
  Personally, I have 3 deer rifles. A .300 winmag, a .44 carbine, and a .50 caliber muzzleloader. I have killed more deer to date (~50) with the muzzleloader than either of the other 2 guns.
  I haven't EVER had a deer shot with the slow moving bullet of my blackpowder rifle go more than 10 yards, and most fall in their tracks.

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  groundhog devastation

  January 11, 2003 16:46

  bambihunter, The 260 Remington is the 308 necked down!! It' a short action cartridge. 243,260,7mm-08,308, same case different bullet!! GHD

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  bambihunter

  January 11, 2003 18:03

  You are correct... Brain F@rt. LOL

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  steve45

  January 12, 2003 09:31

  Its important to remember to match the bullet weight to the animal being hunted. In the 30-06 the 125 grain bullet is a varmint bullet designed to come apart on impact. In the .270 the 130 grain bullet is designed to penetrate and expand on medium game (deer). To compare these two cartridges for deer sized game you would want to compare the 30-06 150 or 165 grain bullets against the .270 130 grain bullet. Of course a deer can be killed with the 125 gr. 30 caliber bullet. But if this bullet hits heavy bones (shoulder) or needs to penetrate to get to the vital organs you may end up with a wounded animal.

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  taxmiser

  January 12, 2003 10:25

  I have been into reloading and ballistics since the early 60's and have chronographed dozens of rifles. The pre-64 Model 70 has always been a favorite of mine and have owned more than a dozen each of both the 270's and the '06's. Comparing apples to apples, I will discuss only the results obtained with the standard weights (24" barrel). In my experience it is easier to obtain the 3000fps with the 150gr bullet in the '06 than to reach 3100fps with the 130 gr in the 270. I personally have never gotten 3100 out of any of the 270's without signs of pressure using the old standby H4831. All of my '06's will get 3000 without excess pressure signs. There is no noticable difference in trajectories at usuable ranges and the '06 get there with more punch.

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  steve45

  January 12, 2003 11:06

  Taxmiser, i agree with you on the reloaded 30-06, factory loads for the 06 are another matter. I would also say that any advantage between 270 130 gr bullet, 280 140 gr. bullet and 30-06 150 gr bullet is a paper advantage, no deer could tell the difference if hit in the same spot.

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  TED GAR

  January 12, 2003 12:31

  These two rounds are pretty much neck to neck as far as the heavy weight rounds go. Now you will have the edge if you use the 100 grain, round, in 270 . It will fly like 22-250 and a 243, but has more knockdown. Out of 24 inch test barrels a 22-250 with a 55 grain projectile will drop 15.9 inches at 400 yards, with 410 pounds of energy on impact.
  The 243 with the 80 grain projectile will drop 16.2 inches at 400 with 676 foot pounds of energy on impact.
  The 270 with a 100 grain bullet will drop 15.5 inches at 400yards and will have 877 foot pounds of energy on impact. These are Remington ballistics using soft point data.
  But other than that, these two calibers are equally as potent and comparible in trajectory.

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