From my understanding, Jack O'Connor made the .270 and Al Biesen the standard in their fields. Biesen also built O'Connor a M70 .375 HH for his African hunts. It was on display at DSC a few years ago.
Hmm. I own all three. No animal on the planet is so nuanced in its perception to know which of the three hit him. And there really is no difference between the .280 and the 7x64 - it certainly doesn’t “hit” any different - regardless how wild the night was. And the the .270 will do just as well. As your last sentence notes, it is the projectile - - and the shooter behind the stock.
So when you look at the ballistics of a .270 gr SP from a .375 are you going to sell the '06?
Good mornin’ Joe,
Well ..... I won’t go so far as to say I’d sell my .30-06 because the .375 shoots about as flat.
I enjoy shooting the .30-06 from prone position.
The .375 has about twice the recoil of a .30-06 and so, very much prone shooting is right out.
In spite of the above recoil issue, if I had to choose but one rifle, it surely would be the .375 H&H, no question whatsoever.
Mine is a simple Brno 602.
It has a 4x Zeiss, in Alaskan Arms brand lever rings on it.
Admittedly, it is my very favorite rifle.
That said, I do like the .30-06 very, very much.
Like yourself and others, I’ve shot a huge pile of critters with it, both in N. America and Africa.
On another note, I salute you for your choice in deer hunting calibers, not to mention your (parallel with mine) preference toward rust blue steel and English walnut.
As for the .30-06 being more than is needed for white tail deer and similar critters, I agree.
However, I’ve not noticed where .270 caliber rifles are generally speaking, more sveltely built than .30-06 caliber ones are.
Due to potentially less recoil, (however small the difference may be), when comparing the 130 gr .270 against the 150 grain .30-06 I do understand what you are saying though.
Nonetheless, I prefer it over the .270, I suppose at least in part, because the first deer I bagged in my life was with a .30-06, (nostalgia).
Another reason, if not the main reason that I prefer the .30-06 over a .270, even for deer hunting is that, if I feel the need to load it with heavy/220 grain bullets, I can.
This is admittedly only important if, deer hunting where one may also encounter tougher species such as wild boar, bears or, larger species, such as elk and moose.
The .270’s ceiling for bullet weight seems to be around 150 grains, at least in factory live ammunition.
For hand-loading, one must beware that most .270 rifles typically do not stabilize heavier than 150 grain bullets.
As you mentioned the .30-06 is more versatile.
Again we are in agreement.
Best Regards my friend,
Paul.
BTW. I thought I read on one of the AH posts, that someone hunted "camels" in Australia? Was /is / could that be true? Maybe I was mistaken on the country? Thanks.
Yeah there's apparently over 1 million camels in the outback. Can't think of the blokes handle on this forum but he uses a 9.3x64 I believe.
OK, thanks. That's one of beautiful things about this AH forum. One can learn many things about another country he/shes' never been to, especially as it relates to hunting game animals. When I mentioned hunting camels in Australia to my wife, she thought I was crazy! Crazy maybe, but not yet insane! There is a difference! Anyway, I would love to see a photo of the "mythical" 9.3x64 cartridge. I can find (and buy) 9.3x62 and 9.3x74 cartridges, brass, etc., here in the states, but NOTHING x64? Maybe it's like Pheroze's .400 and .465 h & hs and Unicorns? They maybe exist, but not many people have seen them? Ha!Ha!
No argument at all Paul. And I trust you noted my tongue was firmly planted in my cheek with regard to the .375.
Not surprisingly, my first deer was taken with a .270 - these things have a way of making an impression. And with regard to modern factory rifles, you are likely correct - they all now use the same contour and the 30-06 can actually end up lighter than a .270 in the same model from the same manufacturer. An abomination by the way, but the state of mass production and influence of bottom lines. But in a custom built rifle ……….
And were I hunting where I might be dodging something larger than coyote, I would be carrying more rifle as well, and an 'o6 is not a bad choice at all. Wednesday my son and I head up to BC for spring black bear. I'll tote along my 9.3 Sako, and he'll have his .376 Steyr. Both are more than are needed for black bear, but the area is teaming with grizzlies.
But I have a petite little custom .270 built on an Argentine action in classic British stalking rifle livery that might just turn your head...……
Best. Joe
That would be correct mate!
There was a time here in the states that the 270 was a great all around gun, mule deer, and elk but now the bullets apparently just bounce off if you don't have a 300 ultra mag.
