From: toby@milton.u.washington.edu (Toby Bradshaw)
Subject: Re: Another: Need first rifle recommendation
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
Date: 10 Sep 92 11:06:26 CDT
Originator: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu

>Keith Boyd
>Apparently I did not make my point very clear in my first response
>so I will try again. Mike seemed undecided between 30-30 caliber
>rifles, and faster guns like the .30-06, for hunting in dense woods.
>I recommended the .270 because it works as well as any caliber in
>dense woods (IMHO) and has the added advantage of being a fairly flat
>shooter at the 200-300yd range. This way, if Mike ever got the chance
>to hunt somewhere that was wide open, he would still be able to use
>the one gun where as if he went with the 30-30 caliber, he would be
>limited in range (again MHO) and may need another rifle. 
>
>Looking at the latest Gander Mountain Reloading catalog, I see factory
>rounds available from 90 grns up to the 160 grn bullet in .270 cal. 
>For .30-06, they carry ammo ranging from the 55 grn. Remington Sabot
>round up to 220 grn soft points. So, the latter has a wider range of
>ready made factory ammo available. I guess the .270 is limited some
>what by it's slightly smaller diameter and longer case length. BTW,
>this a really good little catalog. Call them at 1-800-558-9410 for
>a copy.

The big advantage of a .270 is that the factory ammo is loaded to 
much higher pressures than .30-06, and provides a flatter trajectory
when comparable bullet weights are used.  For any given bullet weight
(e.g. 150 grains, available in .277 and .308 diameters) the .270
will have a better ballistic coefficient (flatter trajectory) and
higher sectional density (better penetration) than the .30-06.
If you handload, the trajectory of a .30-06 can be brought into
line with that of a .270, with greater energy using heavier
bullets (means more recoil, of course--there's no free lunch).
If you think a 100gr bullet is plenty for deer, use a caliber that
drives a 100gr bullet of high ballistic coefficient at relatively
high speed (like a 6mm Rem or .257 Roberts).  If you think 150gr
bullets are better than 100gr (they are if you don't mind the
recoil), use a .277 - .308 bullet diameter.  A 150gr Nosler
Ballistic Tip from a .270 at 2900fps will go end-to-end on a
mule deer.  This can be carried to extremes, of course, by
going to a .378Wby or some such buffalo gun, with muzzle energy
about twice that of a .300 Winchester.  Personally, I like
my .300Wby for deer.  I shoot with a muzzle brake, so recoil
isn't a problem.  The 125gr Nosler leaves the muzzle at 3700fps
and still has more than 1300ft-lbs. of energy remaining at
500 yards.  Thanks to Wyoming's generous bag limits on deer
and antelope this year, I have 10 tags to fill next month.  
Hope my barrel doesn't overheat :)

Toby Bradshaw
Department of Biochemistry and College of Forest Resources
University of Washington, Seattle
toby@u.washington.edu

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