270 or 308 for 500 and under?

[MH WASH]

I looking for a "jack of all trades, master of none rifle. The bare rifle needs to be no heavier than 7lbs. Scope is a Leupy VX2 3-9x40 CDS. Game will be deer, bear, and spike elk. I already own a Weatherby Vanguard 2 7mmRM, but this rifle is too heavy for the spring bear hunt I have planned this spring.

I know the 7mag is the ideal cartridge for what I'm talking, but this particular rifle is too heavy, plus I'm a recoil wimp, so I can't shoot the 7mag in a lighter rifle.

 

[aj427ci]

I'd vote 270, flatter trajectory. I shoot 140's and haven't had a deer or an elk take a step after. But Ive always wanted a 308 lol

 

[Michael Eichele]

308 gets my vote. The 178 ELDX or 180 elite are going to be tough to beat. 24" or 26" barrel can reach 2750 with either bullet and with good powder choices. Trajectory will be not as flat but it'll hit near the same energy if not a hair more and make a bigger hole. Wind should be near identical. At least comparing the 180 elite against the 150 vld.

 

[hawk45]

I just went through this choice.. well kinda. I had a .308 but was a bit on the heavy side. No real way to make lighter other than a complete build. It's about 11 lbs, so not too terrible, but not something I want to hike a long way with. I decided to get a sub 8lb gun and went with a .270. I wanted a long action as I have many SA's but only one other LA. I also like the availabiliy of .270. Yeah, .308 is everywhere.. except when people panic. Shouldn't have to worry about that for several years now (fingers crossed). Ballistic wise.. the .270 will shoot flatter with lighter bullets. Recoil will be the same if you get to the higher BC .30cal bullets, maybe a bit more in the .308 depending on the weights you go to.. 200+ grain. Both great calibers.

Weatherby Vanguard 2 Wilderness with Leupy 4.5-14x40 30mm CDS w/ side focus in Talley low rings.

 

[MtPockets]

I also had this same debate a few years ago and the .270 won out.
I like the fact that the .270 shoots flatter AND recoils less. I shoot everything from prairie dogs to elk with mine and when shooting all day- be it at dogs or paper- it's much more comfortable than a .308 would be.
Especially being that you're after a light weight rifle, I would go with the .270. The .308 in a light weight rifle will make the recoil difference much more noticeable.

 

[FEENIX]

I looking for a "jack of all trades, master of none rifle. The bare rifle needs to be no heavier than 7lbs. Scope is a Leupy VX2 3-9x40 CDS. Game will be deer, bear, and spike elk. I already own a Weatherby Vanguard 2 7mmRM, but this rifle is too heavy for the spring bear hunt I have planned this spring.

I know the 7mag is the ideal cartridge for what I'm talking, but this particular rifle is too heavy, plus I'm a recoil wimp, so I can't shoot the 7mag in a lighter rifle.

Check out ...

Savage Arms

and

Savage Arms

Both of the above models offer the chamberings you're considering and are both under 6 LBS.

I understand it's not for everybody but there are also many effective muzzle brakes out in the market to choose from to help you deal with your recoil sensitivity.

Cheers!

 

[CogburnR]

I think a nice Kimber 84 in say 7-08 would be good.

I like 270's, I hunt with a Kimber 8400 in 270WSM. Great carry rifle, 270WSM's can be easily downloaded for less recoil.

 

[MudRunner2005]

.308

 

[ohiohunter]

.308

x2, easy load development with a wide choice of bullets. Though I've no experience I've read the 270 can be finicky.

 

[toddc]

280 AI? Run 140s fast or 180s slow. Murder the typical 270 or 308 by a mile with sane recoil.

 

[Plinker147]

+1 for the 280 AI.

But really for 500 yards and under it matters not between 270 and 308 they both will do the job. I have always felt that a 308 has a lot of recoil for what it is. Between the 308 and 270 I would chose a 270

 

[Montanasloth]

I'll vote the 270. I shoot one and will be imposing a 500 yard limit on it as it will be my carry in the mountains gun and I will be building up a 300 or 7mm of some sort for longer. recoil seemed about the same between the two I shot so that wasn't an issue for me.

 

[Catahoula]

Now ya know you just simply need one of each! That is a win/win situation!!!
Seriously, either one would do a great job. Good bullets & proper shot placement will fill the freezer.
Thanks, Kirk

 

[Capt RB]

270 featherweight is 7# in walnut It balances very well for a light rifle offhand. I sold mine because I have a laminate lightweight also in 270 as well as a vanguard in 270.
All shoot well the 2 winchesters carry and balance well for timber hunting. They have good geometry in the stock and with 130's don't beat you up at the bench just don't shoot more than 3 without a long cool off