.243 / .270 Or .308 At Renewal

[maktayla 50]

Thanks Ianm

 

I had been reading the .270 is ideal in more open areas whereas the .308 is ideal for more confined areas like woods for example. I suppose its to do with the .270's flat shooting. I've got a long way to go yet before I make a decision but the .308 seems to be getting slightly more votes. I dont think I'll go much wrong in whatever calibre I decide on in the end. But when people say 'Flatter Shooting' exactly how much of a difference are we talking when comparing both the .308 & .270?

I think the decision will come if I speak to my mate and pop along with him one day and look at land and maybe get a shot of his .308.

 

I want to thank you all for your valuable input but if you want to keep anymore decisions coming in, please do so. Helps so much in making a decision.

[Deker 3,478]

Thanks Ianm

 

I had been reading the .270 is ideal in more open areas whereas the .308 is ideal for more confined areas like woods for example. I suppose its to do with the .270's flat shooting. I've got a long way to go yet before I make a decision but the .308 seems to be getting slightly more votes. I dont think I'll go much wrong in whatever calibre I decide on in the end. But when people say 'Flatter Shooting' exactly how much of a difference are we talking when comparing both the .308 & .270?

I think the decision will come if I speak to my mate and pop along with him one day and look at land and maybe get a shot of his .308.

 

I want to thank you all for your valuable input but if you want to keep anymore decisions coming in, please do so. Helps so much in making a decision.

 

 

:laugh:

 

Which comic did you read that in, its ********!

 

The difference isn't worth talking about, the person holding the gun will have FAR more impact than standing in a field or woods!

 

I use the 308 at 1000 Yards at Bisley, and always get a few V Bulls, it doesn't get much further or open than that, and even though I can do it on the range, I would never consider firing at anything live at anywhere near that distance!!

 

I will also find FAR more .308 around me at Bisley than 270 as well.

 

[maktayla 50]

 

Thanks Deker....The world Wide Web comic You've definately answered that one for me. You know what its like...you read these things and wonder if theres any truth in them. Just thought I'd ask the question.

 

Looks like the .308 is the favourable round so far.

 

Cheers

[Alsone 789]

.300 Winchester Magnum

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/.300_Winchester_Magnum

 

That might be a difficult sell as in the UK it's falls within the remit of a big game calibre based on energy. Whereas I can see an outside chance against boar, I think you'd really struggle to get any grant in the UK against deer. That's not to say you definitely won't, just that it might not be easy and there's a high chance of refusal.

Edited March 19, 2016 by Alsone

[ianm 2,594]

 

.300 Winchester Magnum

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/.300_Winchester_Magnum

 

That might be a difficult sell as in the UK it's falls within the remit of a big game calibre based on energy. Whereas I can see an outside chance against boar, I think you'd really struggle to get any grant in the UK against deer. That's not to say you definitely won't, just that it might not be easy and there's a high chance of refusal.

 

 

 

I know several people who have them for deer in the uk.

 

[Alsone 789]

Obviously at least one force is generous then because with an energy of 3,900 - 4,000 ft lbs, it's firmly in the big game area of the guidelines.

 

Even the wiki lists it as a big game calibre although in the US it's also used for Elk. Then again they're only guidelines.

[ianm 2,594]

 

Thanks Deker....The world Wide Web comic You've definately answered that one for me. You know what its like...you read these things and wonder if theres any truth in them. Just thought I'd ask the question.

 

Looks like the .308 is the favourable round so far.

 

Cheers

 

 

 

It's not a matter of "reading comics" you need to weigh up what you are going to use the rifle for in the main and make an educated choice based on that information. Decide what the likely quarry is going to be and the likely range. Decide what bullet weight you require then have a look at some ballistic tables which will give you a good idea of the amount of bullet drop you will encounter at your chosen ranges.

 

Because .308 or .270 suits some random geezer on the interweb doesn't mean it will suit you for your application of it. The fact most folk at bisely have .308 means absolutely nothing apart from the fact that it is a target club and .308 is a recocnised target round. I would bet that in Scotland there are far more .270's than .308 does it mean .308 won't do the job in Scotland? no it just means the local populace prefer .270 for the conditions they are likely to encounter.

 

Beware of people who are calibre blind, that is, they have such and such calibre and that is the only one that will do the job. They will all do the job, just some are a little better in certain circumstances than others. Weigh up what you need and do some research.

[David Aiken 253]

 

 

.300 Winchester Magnumhttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/.300_Winchester_Magnum

 

That might be a difficult sell as in the UK it's falls within the remit of a big game calibre based on energy. Whereas I can see an outside chance against boar, I think you'd really struggle to get any grant in the UK against deer. That's not to say you definitely won't, just that it might not be easy and there's a high chance of refusal.

 

 

 

I know several people who have them for deer in the uk.

29 for sale on gun trader, someone's using 300 wm! I've a friend who dose and swears by its flat trajectory and capabilities.

[jacknife 2,005]

Thanks Ianm

 

I had been reading the .270 is ideal in more open areas whereas the .308 is ideal for more confined areas like woods for example. I suppose its to do with the .270's flat shooting. I've got a long way to go yet before I make a decision but the .308 seems to be getting slightly more votes. I dont think I'll go much wrong in whatever calibre I decide on in the end. But when people say 'Flatter Shooting' exactly how much of a difference are we talking when comparing both the .308 & .270?

I think the decision will come if I speak to my mate and pop along with him one day and look at land and maybe get a shot of his .308.

 

I want to thank you all for your valuable input but if you want to keep anymore decisions coming in, please do so. Helps so much in making a decision.

Did you read that on the county deer stalking online

 

As has been said you would be best trying the different calibres....i did the .270 and .308 prefered the recoil on the .308

 

I didn't worry about any difference in drop as you will get used to any rifle calibre and Scope

[maktayla 50]

Hi Jacknife

Can't remember where I read it, but yes, you're right. I don't think I'll go much wrong whichever I choose. The heaviest round I can find so far for the .270 is a Norma 156gr Vulkan. Whereas the .308 goes up the scale to heavier rounds. Need to read more into that and what difference its going to make in my decision, especially wild boar.

 

How much of a difference did you find in the recoils?

[Alsone 789]

 

29 for sale on gun trader, someone's using 300 wm! I've a friend who dose and swears by its flat trajectory and capabilities.

 

 

I'm not in any way doubting the calibre or it's capabilities. Just that it might not be easy to show good reason.

 

An opinion shared by County Deer Stalking Magazine: http://www.countydeerstalking.co.uk/300-winchester-magnum.html That said, they acknowledge that some people do manage to get a grant. I'd imagine it depends on your force, the type of deer and the size of the permission.

Edited March 20, 2016 by Alsone

[maktayla 50]

Thanks for all the input guys. I think the .300WM maybe too much calibre for me though. Not too sure what the recoil would be like???

When I first applied for a centrefire variation I asked for a .243 because some of the land I shoot has occasional deer and was having lots of fox problems. So I thought .243 would be ideal for both. Just one rifle for both. My FEO informed me they were not prepared to give me a .243 without a mentoring condition. However, they were prepared to give me a .22-250 without. I had no choice because it was impossible at the time for me to get a mentor and I needed to reach out to the foxes, something which was increasingly difficult with HMR. So I took the .22-250 and have to be honest, I love the round. Now my certificate is up for renewal in January 17 I am looking to apply for a round whereby I can try and argue the mentoring condition. I don't know if it will be possible but I certainly think it would be extremely difficult if I asked for a .300WM.

I will stick with the .308 & .270 but I am liking both. I have done a fair bit of reading and watching videos and personally don't think I will go wrong whatever round I decide. Obviously I'm going to need to talk to my FEO as well.

I know there is a variety of ammo out there and more variety and weights with the .308 but take a look at the ballistics I have posted below. I picked Hornady as an example. Not too sure if the additional name 'American Whitetail' actually means something on the .308 SP, but I thought they were interesting.

 

I can only seem to find bullet weights of 150GR for .270 on the Hornady website and not too sure if there are heavier ones sold by another manufacturer. I’ll have a look and post them below if I find any.

So, I decided to throw in another heavier bullet for the .308 to see what the difference is.

Hopefully get a few comments on the below:

 

 

1. .270 WIN 150GR INTERLOCK SP

2. .308 WIN 150GR INTERLOCK SP (American Whitetail)

3. .308 WIN 178GR ELD-X (Precision Hunter)

 

 

TEST BARREL 24” Velocity (FPS) / Energy (FT-LBS)

 

 

MUZZLE 100 200 300 400 500

.270 2840/2686 2642/2324 2452/2002 2270/1716 2095/1462 1929/1239

.308 2820/2649 2553/2170 2301/1763 2063/1418 1841/1129 1636/891

.308 2600/2672 2437/2348 2281/2056 2130/1792 1984/1556 1846/1346

 

I thought it quite interesting when you have both 150GR for the .308 and .270 especially at 100 & 200 yds. But, when you put in the 178Gr .308 you can see the difference, though very marginal out to 300yds when compared to the .270 150gr

 

 

I found some Norma Vulkan 156gr, but I am not sure if there are any heavier rounds out there for this calibre or, if I need it. So much to read and learn. I have put the ballistics for this round below. Not sure of the test barrel length. As you can see though, this 156Gr round is still hitting harder at 100 & 200yds when compared 150gr .308 round.

 

.270 MUZZLE 100 200 300 400 500

2854/2822 2586/2317 2333/1886 2094/1520 No further info at these ranges

 

 

 

[andyf 144]

I have a .270 and some others, if you don't reload then the .308 is probably better served by factory ammo.

I can't praise mine enough, 150gr Sierra soft points print vey well, and I have never lost a Deer (yet), it's a

loud cartridge so a moderator is a good idea.

I've shot boar in America, there I had the use of a 7mm Rem Mag, that took no prisoners! But I would happily

have used my .270 if it had been feasible to take it with me (it wasn't feasible, possible but not feasible) don't

ask??

.270 man.

[jacknife 2,005]

Hi Jacknife

Can't remember where I read it, but yes, you're right. I don't think I'll go much wrong whichever I choose. The heaviest round I can find so far for the .270 is a Norma 156gr Vulkan. Whereas the .308 goes up the scale to heavier rounds. Need to read more into that and what difference its going to make in my decision, especially wild boar.

 

How much of a difference did you find in the recoils?

I found it quite a notable difference both rifles had mods on them.....my rifle is not just a stalking rifle I like a go on the range aswell

[Alsone 789]

Came across this by accident tonight, a BASC document offering Guidance for Firearms Officers on calibre vs good reason. Basically, it's an unofficial extension to the table found on page 121 of the Official Guidelines and covers far more calibres including .300WM and .300 WSM. It also goes right up to .700 cal!

 

http://basc.org.uk/wp-content/plugins/download-monitor/download.php?id=21

 

Quite a useful document, as guidance.