"Availability" varies by locale. .270 is way more common here then .308. The .270 ammo and rifles can be found at a 5 to 1 margin here at least.
My local Wal-mart store sells about 15 (or more) varieties and brands of .270 ammo....and maybe 5 kinds of .308 ammo. I rarely see a .308 new or used for sale around here. JMO YMMV
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Also..Doc, more info would be helpful.
do you want-
Semi auto....bolt action...lever action...etc.?
Is it for targets or game primarily?
If for game, do ya want to shoot varmits and deer and Big Game? Or just a deer rifle?
Do you intend to handload for it or buy off the shelf ammo?
__________________ I'm here for a good time, to h*ll with the red wine, pour me some moonshine!
Not to start a war but the 308 will throw a 165gr or under the same speed
as a 06.the 270 is a great round for deer and elk but the 308 has more
bullets avail.the 06 shines with the heavier bullets.I went 308 over 270
because I can go heavier on bullets for hogs and black bear.(Oh ya the 308 is a
short action)
I use a .270 for everything from 'yotes to deer to good-sized hogs. I have nothing bad to say about the .308 and it's a tad shorter, but the .270 is just a bit more versatile for my needs. I have nothing bad to say about the .308-I love my M\N's which are ballistically similar, but I don't feel comfortable with them out past 300 yds. I don't like shooting at live game farther than that, but the .270 is ballistically flat enough that I can extend that out to 350-400 yds and still be confident in my ability to cleanly drop a deer or 'yote.
My first love is 7mm-08 but I recently bought an AR style rifle in 308 just because ammo can be found around here lately. 7mm-08 ammo dried up about 8 months ago and I cant find it anywhere. I do think the 308 is an excellent round but everyone has one thats why I stayed away from it, I like to be different. I had 2 270 in the past and cant say anything bad about them. I have always contended the 7mm-08 is the short action 270. Actually if it goes boom I love it!! Guess I'm not a good person to ask...LOL.
My hunting buddy gave me his code and password to the largest gun, ammo and related supply company in the U.S.
So I've spent all week on and off looking through this site at Dealer prices.
Never will I buy an uncommon caliber rifle due to the cost of ammo. Buy a gun that has ammo readily available such as the 270, 308, 30-06, 7mm mag. 300 win mag ect.
I just thought I'd throw this in for good measure because ammo has gotton expensive and I've noticed reloading supplys have to IF you can find the components you need.
Again good luck and shop hard for the best price...Now's the time to buy rifles because it's hunting season.
I depends on what you want it for. In my opinion the .270 is a better hunting rifle, because of a little extended range. I thnk the .308 would be a better target or all purpose rifle, esp. if you reload, because of bullet choices. I really don't think there is a wrong choice here. You have picked two tried and proven rounds. Even if you flip a coin you will be getting a good round. Match it with a good rifle and you have a winner.
You'll get a bigger wound channel with a 30 caliber bullet which means blood will flow better.
I ran a route for 30 years and many 270 owners sold or traded off there 270 rifles for some other caliber.
There excuse was they could'nt find blood if the Deer ran off after being shot with there 270's.
I depends on what you want it for. In my opinion the .270 is a better hunting rifle, because of a little extended range. I thnk the .308 would be a better target or all purpose rifle, esp. if you reload, because of bullet choices. I really don't think there is a wrong choice here. You have picked two tried and proven rounds. Even if you flip a coin you will be getting a good round. Match it with a good rifle and you have a winner.
Kept within their power range of 300yds+,there is no difference in terminal ballistics and very little in trajectory. ,,,sam.
Every deer I've shot with my .270 and 130gr core-lockts have bled like a stuck hog AH
My nephews and wife use 30.06s and my .270 exit wounds are relatively the same as theirs...I would think those dudes ya knew either used inferior ammo or just didn't know how to trail a deer...or were to lazy to search if the deer didn't drop on the spot.
For what it's worth...a 30/30 with 150gr core-lockts makes a bigger exit hole then 30.06 .308 or .270 do...the deer shot with a 30/30 absolutely POURED blood from the first step to the last step. YMMV
__________________ I'm here for a good time, to h*ll with the red wine, pour me some moonshine!
Never will I buy an uncommon caliber rifle due to the cost of ammo. Buy a gun that has ammo readily available such as the 270, 308, 30-06, 7mm mag. 300 win mag ect.
No kidding! In just the last year alone, I feel like sticking with the military calibers from here on out - if I can't kill it with a 9x19mm, 7.62x51mm or 5.56x45mm... then I better order in aerial support!
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I take my coffee how I take my women: bitter and overbearing.
I have had both, and taken deer with both. My .308's were a Remington 7400 and a SA NM M1A1. The Remington I used Remington cor-lokt 150gr factory and the M1A1 I handloaded 150gr Nosler Ballistic tips. I wasn't particulary impressed with the .308 performance with either round (factory or handloads). The .270 performance has been much better (at long or short ranges) with either Winchester 130gr Silvertips (NOT the power point) or my handloads with 130gr Hornady Spire points.
My vote goes to the .270 from my experience.
