Ruger .308 or .270?

Question

I have found two identical Ruger M2 M77 Rifles
ones a .270 ones a 308
the 270 has a luepold scope and the 308 has a pentax scope
both have wood stock and are stainless
which would be better for me I just turned 16 and I want a new deer rifle
I live in Arkansas so i will have both thick and long shots with them
They both will cost me around $500.00 is that a good deal
The scopes are 3-9x40

Thanks for your help

Answer 1

If you are strictly hunting deer go with the .270 Winchester caliber. However, in Arkansas you might get to hunt wild boar. The .308 Winchester will give you an advantage with the heavier bullets. Both will drop a boar, only that the .308 offers heavier loads than just 150 grains.

Another way you could decide is to look at the scopes. Both are good but Leupold has been around longer and offers a life-time guarantee on their top of the line models. For hunting where I could also encounter game larger than just deer I would definitely go with the .308 Winchester over the .270 Winchester. Final note: Ruger makes good rifles. I have a Ruger #1 in .458 Winchester.

H

Answer 2

I would say go for the .270. It seems to have a better quality scope. The .270 is also a proven cartridge that will perform great on deer. It's also very flat shooting. The .308 is also good and will have a little less recoil if that is an issue. If you intend to use this rifle alot on the range as well then the .308 will give you better choices for target ammo and it'll be cheaper too.

You can't really go wrong with either cartridge so I would take the higher quality Leupold scope.

Answer 3

I live in AR and have hunted deer all my life, 23 years isnt really that long, and I would recommend the .270. I got a Ruger .270 when I was about 14 or 15, and I have never missed and have never failed to drop a deer within 30 yards. Two have dropped in their tracks from 50 yards. One took a lung shot 30 yards from 100. One took a heart shot 30 yards from 250. Those are the ones I can remember off the top of my head. I normally would never take a long shot like the last one, but I have alot of confidence in my rifle. So beyond 250-300 yards, I dont know what the 270 will or wont do, but it will take down big AR deer with no problem.

Answer 4

A very good question, and a lot of very good answers on here. I don't think you can go wrong with either one, but the .308 will offer you more versatility and stopping power than the .270. The .270 generally shoots at faster fps, but the .308 is not far behind, and has a little more punch to it. There is more ammo available in the .308 caliber as well. Good luck to you, and which ever you choose, make sure you get to know that weapon inside and out before you go out in the woods.

Answer 5

Either one is more than you need for Arkansas deer hunting. Purely a matter of personal preference. Back in my youth, when the regular generic remingchesters weren't available in the plethora of calibers we can pick now, the 30-06 vs.270 argument was a standard article for any magazine writer who'd run out of original material. The 308 essentially duplicates the 30-06, so it's the same argument. I'd personally pick the 308, but I can't really tell you why. Perhaps because I've outfitted my family with 7mm08's for the kind of hunting you'll be doing.

Answer 6

I'd go with the .308. Huge reputation for accuracy, army and marine snipers all use the .308. Better all around bullet too. Should be able to knock down any deer you'd find in Ark. and a boar or two.
The difference between the two scopes is pretty slight, both are high quality glass.
You're getting a good deal either way.

Answer 7

Both are fine calibers and scopes. If you ever want to hunt larger game such as elk or bear the .308 would do better for you. But as for deer the .270 would be great and might shoot a little bit flatter than the .308 at longer distances. I do prefer the Leupold scopes, they are very durable and proven so. Good shooting.

Answer 8

Both are fine quality rifles, and if in good condition, seem at a fair price. I would strongly disagree with "renderman" that sight unseen, he can call the leupold the better scope. Both make excellent scopes, and at Pentax's higher end, I would choose them hands down over any Leupold I've looked through. This is only an opinion, I have owned 2 of each, in various models. Pick the one that looks best to you. As for caliber, if I only had one rifle, I would probably lean towards the .308. Either one is excellent for deer, but the .308 has a wider range of factory ammo, and is cheaper to shoot if your going to practice alot. (Also has less wallop). Good luck, and have fun with your new rifle.

Answer 9

The .270 has a better scope, but the .308 will be cheaper and have a wider variety when it comes to ammo. Recoil and accuracy isn't going to be a big enough difference between the two to make a choice.

Really they are both fine rifles and fine calibers, you can't go wrong either way.

Answer 10

Go with the .308. The .270 shoots flatter so it is good over distance, but the .308 has the better stopping power. With practice you'll be able to put the .308 where you want it to go and even at distances, it will place them; and do it with greater stopping power. I don't know about the price. I live in PA and I would think I would be able to pick one of these up for between $400 - $500, but I live in a large hunting area and there is an abundance of guns around to buy so that drives the price down some. Good luck and good hunting.