.270 Win Vs. .308 for plinking?

[GoBoilers!]

Okay, I may have a bit of Holiday $$ for spending, and I'm considering one of the low-budget bolt action rifles as a possible buy. I'm looking at the $400 range rifles such as the Rem 770 and the Savage and Mossberg models. The thing is, I can't decide on .270 vs. .308.

As far as I am concerned now, it will be mostly used for range plinking, but I may get a chance for hog or maybe even elk someday (after I retire... lol) so I want to keep that in the decision too. I am leaning toward the .308 due to heavier bullet options for big game someday, and I can use cheap 7.62 ammo for practice (right?) Does that sound reasonable?

Is there a big difference in recoil between the two if using mid range ammo?

Any other things to think about that I need to factor in?

Thanks for any feedback.

----
GB!

 

[Fordtough25]

Okay, I may have a bit of Holiday $$ for spending, and I'm considering one of the low-budget bolt action rifles as a possible buy. I'm looking at the $400 range rifles such as the Rem 770 and the Savage and Mossberg models. The thing is, I can't decide on .270 vs. .308.

As far as I am concerned now, it will be mostly used for range plinking, but I may get a chance for hog or maybe even elk someday (after I retire... lol) so I want to keep that in the decision too. I am leaning toward the .308 due to heavier bullet options for big game someday, and I can use cheap 7.62 ammo for practice (right?) Does that sound reasonable?

Is there a big difference in recoil between the two if using mid range ammo?

Any other things to think about that I need to factor in?

Thanks for any feedback.

----
GB!

I would go with the 308 for sure on ammo selection alone! I like the 30-06 myself but both your choices hit hard. And I would stay away from the 770 series, read too many bad things. Savage makes good rifles, I like my Remington 700 a lot.

 

[redneckmedic]

308 for two reasons, ammo availability and its a short action, which as odd as it sounds I just prefer.

 

[Hondo]

Both of these calibers will fill the needs you set out...the .308 wins because ammo is cheaper by far...more options too...and I too prefer the short action compared to the long action .270 as well.

 

[bobbittle]

Check out the Ruger American while comparing. Should be well within your price range.

 

[clayshooter99]

308 hands down because of the ammo and bullet choice and the short action. The Savage is the best gun for the actual dollar spent, they make great barrels.

 

[chuddly]

i would go with 308 because of the bullet size for down the road. i own a 770 in 30-06 and its an accurate gun and shoots well....just dont expect it to be super smooth and all that.

 

[GoBoilers!]

Thanks! That helps to confirm my thinking that .308 is probably the best pick of the two. Now, we'll just have to wait and see what I can find during the end-of-year sales, but I will definetly keep my eye out for the Savage and Rugers.

 

[kludge]

7mm-08. Shoots flatter hits harder than a .308. Short action. Best of both worlds.

Reload.

 

[jbell_64]

I had a .270 for deer hunting down south. Great for that purpose but expensive to shoot. I'd go with the .308 out of those two choices for your intended purpose. The 7mm-08 is an awesome hunting round as well but will also be more expensive to shoot than the .308

 

[42769vette]

savage 308 if you are not a reloader, if you are there are better options on caliber, but not nessessarly rifle

 

[kludge]

The 7mm-08 is an awesome hunting round as well but will also be more expensive to shoot than the .308

Which is why I said "reload". Even shooting surplus .308 ammo is expensive by comparison.

 

[whitetailbowhunter]

If i were you i would not waste a bolt action purchase on the Remington 770. It will shoot accurately, but it is very "sloppy". I am a Remington guy, but for that price range, then look into a Savage.

 

[downzero]

Which is why I said "reload". Even shooting surplus .308 ammo is expensive by comparison.

Not to mention, it is 2-3 MOA at best.

 

[mtk469]

On a whim I purchased a Rem 770 in .308 a while back. I bought it at Wally World and IIRC it was $297.00 on sale. I changed out the scope that came with it to better glass. Suprisingly enough it shoots pretty good. I shot a nice size deer in West Virginia 2 weeks ago at approx 180yds and she dropped in her tracks. Not a great trigger or action but for the $$ i've been very pleased thus far.

 

[ChalupaCabras]

i don't think anyone makes cheap plinking 270.

You can get steel cased 308 'animal ammo' all day.

 

[sig1473]

Not to mention, it is 2-3 MOA at best.

I have some Radway Green surplus Match ammo that begs to differ.

 

[mxxkffg]

308 seems like the more obvious choice to me. Rounds are much easier to buy in bulk

 

[downzero]

I have some Radway Green surplus Match ammo that begs to differ.

What kind of performance have you seen? My experience has been that 2 MOA from any FMJ bullet is pretty good, even in a rifle that is MOA or better with match bullets.

 

[JettaKnight]

I would go with the 308 for sure on ammo selection alone! I like the 30-06 myself but both your choices hit hard. And I would stay away from the 770 series, read too many bad things. Savage makes good rifles, I like my Remington 700 a lot.

Yup.

I really kind of like the idea of a .270 rifle...