.270 or .308 for Beginner Rifleman

[mtbkr]

Hi all,
I'm just getting into shooting and deer/elk hunting and looking to buy my first hunting rifle. Will certainly be picking up a .22 for practicing lots at the range.

I'm looking to buy both the .22 and the hunting rifle now so I can spend the next few months practicing my shot before hunting season.
I was set on a Savage 111 Trophy Hunter Package in .270 win (moderate recoil, just hard-hitting enough for elk, flat shooting...). However, someone was trying to convince me to pick up a .308 so I could buy cheap surplus ammo so as to be able to practice a lot with the big rifle.

My question: Buy the .22 and the .270 - practice tons with .22 and some with .270 OR...
...Buy .22 and .308 and practice lots with each.

Thanks all for the advice!!

Cheers

[gtr]

A 308 will do pretty much what a 270 will do.

[mtbkr]

Originally Posted by gtr

A 308 will do pretty much what a 270 will do.

Thanks gtr,

I guess another related question is: Would it be a bad idea to feed your prized rifle with surplus ammo when practicing? Anyone worry about it being corrosive or otherwise damaging?

[sns2]

Originally Posted by mtbkr

Thanks gtr,

I guess another related question is: Would it be a bad idea to feed your prized rifle with surplus ammo when practicing? Anyone worry about it being corrosive or otherwise damaging?

Get the 270 and you can buy factory ammo for $20 box. Forget that corrosive stuff.

I like both cartridges you are pondering, but the 270 is just as hard hitting and a little flatter shooting, but the real world difference is negligible. No moose ever jumped up and argued that one is better than the other. Seriously.

[1886]

They are both good calibers. Have owned and shot both of them. The only advantage the 308 has is availability of heavier bullets if you desire them.

[stevens]

I don't think you can go wrong with a .308

[Mateo]

Both really great calibers. The .270 uses the same case as the 30-06, and the 30-06 is just a longer cased .308. You will get higher velocities out of the .270 because of the bigger case, that being said, the 308 won't be lacking anything for hunting, unless you really want to get into long range hunting like 500+ yards. You can't go wrong with either. The .308 is lower recoil. But not by much. Whatever you decide, send me a message when you get it and I'd be happy to do some reloads up for you so you can take full advantage of the accuracy these guns are capable of if you aren't happy with a factory round. I personally hunt with the .270.

[raab]

Originally Posted by mtbkr

Hi all,
I'm just getting into shooting and deer/elk hunting and looking to buy my first hunting rifle. Will certainly be picking up a .22 for practicing lots at the range.

I'm looking to buy both the .22 and the hunting rifle now so I can spend the next few months practicing my shot before hunting season.
I was set on a Savage 111 Trophy Hunter Package in .270 win (moderate recoil, just hard-hitting enough for elk, flat shooting...). However, someone was trying to convince me to pick up a .308 so I could buy cheap surplus ammo so as to be able to practice a lot with the big rifle.

My question: Buy the .22 and the .270 - practice tons with .22 and some with .270 OR...
...Buy .22 and .308 and practice lots with each.

Thanks all for the advice!!

Cheers

If you ever want to get into long range shooting and reloading get the .308. The Savage is an alright action to build on as theres parts everywhere and .308 is the most common 1k calibre out there. If you just want to go out and hunt, then it doesn't matter, both will get the job done with similar recoil. Here's a nice chart on recoil and the differences between calibres http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

[FallAirFever]

Of the two chamberings I would point you to the 308win. My first hunting rifle was a Ruger in 270 win, it is a pretty snappy rifle recoil wise, a Limbsaver tamed it down nicely. I took a moose and a bunch of that deer with that gun, it worked great, accurate and enough power to put animals down, mostly at less than 100 yards. I could never get 150 gr bullets to group as well as 130s in that gun, not a big issue as I always ran with a tough bullet (TSX or Partition).

I gave that rifle to my son to shoot with reduced recoil loads he shoots it very well and I hope he gets his first deer with it this year.

I bought myself a 308 when I gave my son the 270. The 308 has less recoil, short action, burns less powder and has a large selection of bullets. I had no issues getting this rifle to group right off the bat with hand loads. I have taken a few deer with it, great performance, longest kill 220 yards.

I think for a first gun the 308 Win is a awesome choice. It is inherently accurate, nice short action, lots of bullet choices, ususally redily available ammo if you go store bought, easy to reload and not a powder hog if you roll your own, managable recoil for the first time shooter.

I think the 7mm-08 deserves a look as well.

As far as what rifle, look at everything in your price range and find the one that fits you best and has the features you are looking for. The Savage 110/111 are a very good choice at a good price, but not for everyone.

Good luck with your decision, have fun with it. Don't forget to spend a good chunk of money on glass and budget for mounts, case, cleaning supplies.....

[Ronji]

I think for a first gun the 308 Win is a awesome choice. It is inherently accurate, nice short action, lots of bullet choices, ususally redily available ammo if you go store bought, easy to reload and not a powder hog if you roll your own, managable recoil for the first time shooter.

Well said. I started hunting with my grandfathers 308 win and took many of my first animals with it. It is a beautiful Husky, and brings back many memories every time I look at it.

[mtbkr]

Originally Posted by FallAirFever

Of the two chamberings I would point you to the 308win. My first hunting rifle was a Ruger in 270 win, it is a pretty snappy rifle recoil wise, a Limbsaver tamed it down nicely. I took a moose and a bunch of that deer with that gun, it worked great, accurate and enough power to put animals down, mostly at less than 100 yards. I could never get 150 gr bullets to group as well as 130s in that gun, not a big issue as I always ran with a tough bullet (TSX or Partition).

I gave that rifle to my son to shoot with reduced recoil loads he shoots it very well and I hope he gets his first deer with it this year.

I bought myself a 308 when I gave my son the 270. The 308 has less recoil, short action, burns less powder and has a large selection of bullets. I had no issues getting this rifle to group right off the bat with hand loads. I have taken a few deer with it, great performance, longest kill 220 yards.

I think for a first gun the 308 Win is a awesome choice. It is inherently accurate, nice short action, lots of bullet choices, ususally redily available ammo if you go store bought, easy to reload and not a powder hog if you roll your own, managable recoil for the first time shooter.

I think the 7mm-08 deserves a look as well.

As far as what rifle, look at everything in your price range and find the one that fits you best and has the features you are looking for. The Savage 110/111 are a very good choice at a good price, but not for everyone.

Good luck with your decision, have fun with it. Don't forget to spend a good chunk of money on glass and budget for mounts, case, cleaning supplies.....

Thank you all for the great info and recommendations. The Savage 111/11 has been at the top of my list. It comes in left handed which is what I'm after.
Looks like I'll go with the .308 then. FallAirFever or others: Do you know if headspacing would be an issue if I decided to practice some of my shooting with military surplus ammo? Anyone see any reason to avoid non-corrosive military surplus ammo? I don't handload (yet) so I'll be buying all my ammo.

Thanks!

[leeaspell]

A 308 savage, then buy a 243 barrel and swap em out. Takes 10 minutes and you're set for anything that walks on this content.