Will a 30-06 and/or 270 "drop" any game in North America?

Question

Will a 30-06 and/or 270 kill any game in North America with little problems? If not what won't they kill or what will they have trouble killing? What cal. do you profer?

Answer 1

Great Question.

Can either cartridge kill anything in North America? With patience, marksmanship, and quality ammo.. Absolutely.

Would I personally use either one on the largest animals like brown bear, bison, moose, or musk ox? In a bind, yes. However, there are better choices.

As I mentioned on the forum a few times...my father grew up living a subsistance lifestyle in Alaska. He killed almost everything there was to kill in Alaska with a 250 Savage, a round less powerful than the rounds you mentioned.

If I were to choose one of the rounds you mentioned, I would opt for the 30-06.The 30-06 is a larger caliber, is available in heavier bullets (for larger game), and has a huge variety of factory ammo. The 30-06 is pretty much the worldwide standard that all other cartridges are measured against. You can pretty much go anywhere in the world and find a box of 30-06 ammo.

With heavier bullets, the 30-06 can and will kill anything that walks in North America. With light 125 gr bullets, you have a good rifle for smaller game like coyotes and ground hogs (it may punch a larger hole through them than you like, but it will kill them with ease).

I am an experienced shooter and recoil doesn't bother me much anymore. If I am in an area where an animal has the ability to kill me, I like to carry a little too much gun rather than possibly not having enough gun. A 30-06 will drop anything in North America. However, if a big Grizzley was running at me, I wouldn't mind having a cartridge with a little more lead.

If you have some shooting experience, I would consider some other rounds. A 300 Win Mag or a 300 WSM makes an excellent all around round (both offer a little more speed and power than the 30-06, but not a huge leap). Personally, if I were to choose a single round for all game, I would opt for the 35 Whelen (my weapon of choice in areas with big bears). The 338 Win Mag is a tried and proven round. The new 325 WSM looks like it has promise, but I haven't shot one personally. The problem with any of these rounds is that the recoil and/or muzzle blast might be a little much for a beginner. If you are a new shooter, I would shy away from these rounds. Too much recoil will encourage bad shooting habits.

Answer 2

Yes, Both are very good calibers. I would go with the 30-06, you can find cartridges just about any place and a wide selection of bullet weights. The 270 is limited some what in bullet selection but flatter shooting/ less bullet drop at longer ranges.
Which ever rifle you choose will serve all your North America hunting needs. Practice, because shot placement is more important than bullet/cartridge size to humanly and successfully harvest game. Go to library and read books on rifles, cartridges and trajectory. Also you can get information from the rifle manufacturers.
Hope this helps

Answer 3

I would not pick the .270 Win for elk, moose, or the big Alaskan Browns, but everything else would be OK.

I would not opt for the .30-'06 as first choice for those same three animals, but all have fallen to the '06.

I'm a firm believer in using enough gun. The .270 Win and .30-'06 Sprfld are tops as medium and small game rounds. But if critters get on toward a half-ton in weight or more, or if they bite and scratch, I want more horsepower at my disposal.

BTW, I like the .308 Win better than either cartridge you named.

Doc

Answer 4

I prefer the 30/06 of the 2 listed but for bigger or more dangerous game i want a 35 Whelen or 338/06

Answer 5

as most of the replies say yes they will kill north american game with 'little problems', in your own words but a bigger calibre will reduce 'little' to 'very little' problems. And any sort of problem with a dangerous animal can become big.

You can never completely eliminate risk though so the main point is you choose something with a certain guideline and make sure you can use it well.

The 270/30 cals are at the bottom of that guideline for very big game, but still okay.

Answer 6

Remembering that Bell killed over a thousand elephants, almost all with 7mm Mauser or 6.5mm Mannlicher, I'd say they can do, though if charged by a big Alaskan brownie I'd feel undergunned with anything that uses a trigger instead of a lanyard. Are they always the best choice? Well, that's why we have others, isn't it?
My personal rimless favorites are the 57mm Mauser cases in miniatures and small-bores: 6mm Rem, 257 Roberts, 7 & 8 mm Mauser, and medium bore the 9.3x62, all of which hang right in there with their 63 mm brethren.

Answer 7

I have had the pleasure to have lived and hunted in Wyoming and Montana for several years. The 270 is a very popular caliber for hunting in those states. Certainly adequate for larger game up to and including elk. And to a lesser extent large moose. Definitely not recommend for the larger bears. Regardless of the caliber shoot placement is of course extremely important. Most of my hunting out west has been with the 7mm Rem Mag.. And is still my caliber of choice for western hunting.. Not even remotely suggesting it is the best. Just has been the best for me. However the 270 is definitely a respectable choice.

Answer 8

Your best choice is the 30-06.* It is more versatile, with so many different bullets to choose from.* Bigger bang for the $$$$$.*

Answer 9

I would imagine.No Elephants around here though.If i was hunting dangerous game that could get very large by grizzlies or moose,I wouldn't go without a big bore handgun for backup,another gun for backup-backup and a machete or Khukri,and a buddy who was as armed if not better.i like to be prepared though.

Answer 10

You can take everything from prairie dogs to Bears with them. Provided your in the proper range & Hitting a vital zone.