270 vs 308 – Which One Is Better? Comparison, Ballistics, And Recoil

308 bullets

A debate that comes up often is which one is better when comparing the 270 vs 308. It's a very good question, and in this article we are going to show you the difference.

Here's the thing:

270 vs 308

Hunters can be fiercely loyal to the type of cartridge that they use when hunting. They know what they like and what works well for them.

It's complicated...

Some might be into a more open relationship and will switch cartridges for certain hunts.

While others are strictly monogamous and would not even consider a different caliber.

With that said...

Of course, as we all know, you cannot just willingly swap out any caliber for your rifle as they are chambered to hold certain cartridges.

Regardless, a lot of us have multiple rifles or maybe we are shopping around for a new hunting rifle. And that leads us back to our original question.

Let's jump into the comparison next.​

270 vs 308

If you are considering a new rifle to add to your arsenal, two of the more popular cartridges used in hunting include the .308 and .270 caliber.

What exactly are the differences between the two cartridges and how do you choose between the two for hunting?

To answer these questions, we are going to take a look at the origins of these calibers, briefly explain the various loads available, compare ballistics, and compare situations where each caliber might be more beneficial.

.308 - Brief History

The .308 caliber is the civilian version of the 7.62 x 51 NATO cartridge that was originally designed for the M14 used in Vietnam.

Due to some issues with the amount of ammo that could be carried and the M14’s unwieldiness, it was shortly replaced by the M16 with 5.56 x 45 cartridges.

Despite the replacement in the military, the 7.62 x 51 cartridge had excellent performance specs and was quickly picked up by ammunition manufacturers.

This is where the .308 was born.

The .308 cartridge has an overall length of 2.8 inches with a base diameter of 0.47 inches. For this reason, it is considered a short action caliber.

Here are some of the more popular cartridges for the .308.

  • Remington Core-Lokt (Available in 150 and 180 grain)
  • Winchester Super-X Power Point ( Available in 150 and 180 grain)
  • Nosler Ballistic Tip (Available in 125 and 165 grain)
  • Black Hills (Available in 168 and 175 grain)
  • Federal Premium (Available in 168 and 175 grain)

.270 - Brief History

Where the .308's origin was for military purposes, the .270 started out as a hunting cartridge. The .270 was produced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1925.

You will commonly see .270 referred to as .270 Win and made popular by the famous writer Jack O’Connor.

The .270 is a "necked down" version of the 30-06 cartridge. What we mean by this is that the cartridge size is almost identical to the 30-06, but the bullet has a smaller diameter.

The modern day .270 cartridge is usually around 3.3 inches long. The length measurement fluctuates based on bullet’s design. The base diameter is 0.47 inch. It is a much longer cartridge than the .308

Here are some of the more popular cartridges for the .270.

  • Remington Core-Lokt (Available in 130 and 150 grain)
  • PPU (Available in 130 and 150 grain)
  • Hornady (Available in 150 grain)
  • Winchester Super-X Power Point ( Available in 130 and 150 grain)
  • Federal Premium (Available in 130 and 140 grain)

270 vs 308 Ballistics

We are going to mention a lot of numbers in this section. We should start off by saying that it is pretty difficult to compare two different calibers side by side.

A lot of small factors can impact the ballistics of a certain cartridge.

So, we are going to try to standardize this as much as possible by only looking at the properties of the .270 and .308 produced by the same ammunitions manufacturer.

We will also look at two different grains (bullet weight) for each caliber.

We will compare several ballistic properties such as bullet drop, muzzle velocity, and energy (what is the force hitting your target).

Before we jump into this, it is extremely important to remember that these values can change from manufacturer to manufacturer and according to the various cartridge types.

That being said, the overall trends should remain relatively the same between calibers and grains.

We are going to look at Remington’s Core-Lokt .270 and .308 pointed soft point cartridges for comparison.

The .308 is a heavier bullet than the .270 although there are several cartridges with .270 160 and 180 grain produced by other manufacturers.

First, we will take a look at the bullet drop rates for each caliber that have been zeroed in at 100 yards and then at 250 yards to get some short and long-range trajectory information.

Here's our short range data:

Short Range Trajectory

Distance

.270 130gr

.270 150gr

.308 150gr

.308 180gr

50 yards

0.1”

0.3”

0

0

100 yards

0.6”

0.8”

0

0

150 yards

0

0

-1.2”

-1.5”

200 yards

-1.8”

-2.4”

-3.9”

-4.6”

250 yards

-5.1”

-6.7”

-8.4”

-9.5”

And here's our long range data:

Long Range Trajectory

Distance

.270 130gr

.270 150gr

.308 150gr

.308 180gr

150 yards

1.4”

1.8”

1.7”

2.0”

200 yards

0

0

0

0

250 yards

-2.8”

-3.6”

-3.4”

-3.8”

300 yards

-7.0”

-9.4”

-8.8”

-9.7”

400 yards

-20.9”

-28.6”

-26.2”

-28.3”

500 yards

-43.3”

-52.2”

-54.8”

-57.8”

Next, we will look at the muzzle velocity (feet/second) and velocity at certain yard intervals commonly encountered when hunting.

Muzzle Velocity (Ft/Sec)

Distance

.270 130gr

.270 150gr

.308 150gr

.308 180gr

Muzzle

3060

2850

2820

2620

100 yards

2776

2504

2533

2393

300 yards

2259

1886

2009

1974

500 yards

1801

1385

1560

1604

Finally, we will compare the energy (Feet/Pound) of the bullets at several yard intervals. This will tell us is how hard the bullet is impacting the target.

Energy (Ft/lb)

Distance

.270 130gr

.270 150gr

.308 150gr

.308 180gr

Muzzle

2702

2705

2648

2743

100 yards

2225

2687

2137

2288

300 yards

1472

1185

1334

1557

500 yards

1180

872

1048

1269

Which One Do You Need?

You have the numbers now, but we will be a little clearer about what those numbers mean regarding your hunting strategy.

To reiterate, we are only looking at Remington’s Core-Lokt ammunition. Quite a few cartridges are produced with varying grain bullets, bullet material, shape, and powder loads.

All these can change the ballistic numbers. Additionally, the type of optics and mounting on your firearm, along with barrel length, can all alter the ballistics.

So, in this section we will discuss some generalities. We will refer to the ballistics information.

The trend should remain consistent from cartridge to cartridge.

Most important is the fact that we are providing a method that you can use with any caliber that interests you.

The information is available if you can find it. Then, use the process in this article to decide what caliber you need.

So, we will compare the .207 and .308 in different hunting scenarios.

Scenario 1

Both of these calibers are going to have the stopping power to bring down just about any game you are hunting in North America besides maybe larger bears.

Both calibers can deliver over a thousand pounds of pressure at 400 yards. Some might consider the .270 130 grain a bit too light for elk or moose, especially if you are taking shots over 400 yards.

Scenario 2

If you are going to need a little more distance, the .270 holds the advantage over the .308 caliber.

It has a higher velocity and flatter trajectory making it a little easier to adjust for shots at long range as evidenced by the bullet drop numbers in the long trajectory section.

Scenario 3

If you need the maximum stopping power, the .308, especially the 180 grain, has a bit more energy once reaching the target than the .270, especially the 150 grain.

When going after bigger game with shots within 250 yards, the .308 is a fantastic choice.

270 vs 308 Recoil

This is a common question many hunters have, especially when considering a hunting rifle for younger hunters. The .270 is prone to having a much sharper kick than the .308.

However, the .308 180 grain is a heavy bullet with a high muzzle velocity so you will feel it as well.

Regardless, neither caliber will fly out of your hands. With a little practice on the range, any shooter can become accustomed to the kick.

With proper shooting technique and scope placement, you should never have to worry about scope eye with either cartridge.

Now concerning recoil, you should be aware of the bullet size and the amount of powder in the cartridge. Heavier bullets and increased powder are going to increase the amount of recoil.

Availability

The .308 caliber will give you many more options regarding bullet weight and design.

More ammunition manufacturers produce the 308 vs 270 in America. You can bet that the .308 will never be out of stock.

Conclusion

The .270 maintains a flatter trajectory over longer distances while the .308 can pack a punch within shorter ranges.

But, from this ballistic data, you have two calibers that behave very similar to one another.

We could honestly take any two calibers common to hunting and find hunters who will debate which of the two are the best cartridge until the day they die with neither party being swayed.

Hunters are very loyal to their particular cartridge. This is especially true for the .308 vs .270.

Specifically, with the .270 vs .308, we see two calibers that perform quite similarly in the categories we have addressed.

We are not advocating for one or the other, but wanted to provide the specs and discuss the differences between the two.

What we hope, is that by providing you with some background and numbers, you can look at your hunting situation and make an educated decision on which particular caliber will suit your hunting needs better.

And regardless of your choice, a good shot with either caliber is going to end in a successful hunt! Both calibers can take down a deer.

Another great deer cartridge is the .30-06. Here is a comparison of it to the .308. ​

Want to expand your knowledge on ammunition even more? Check out my articles on ACP as well as rimfire to learn more.​

17comments
David McDonald - August 6, 2017

The cheapest 3006 delivers more energy than the Best 308
Winchester Improved the 3006 by Producing the 270.
Why would anyone want a 308?

Reply
    ken mullins - January 12, 2019

    i’ve used the 7.62×51 during 2 tours in NAM 1969-1970 great caliber and have been using the same deer hunting for 47 years with great success all things aside the 308 has not let me down regardless weather a big game animal or viet cong you don’t have the right to ask a question as to why anyone would want a 308 it’s a great killing bullet in the right hands

    Reply
    Kurt Cooper - June 27, 2020

    Why would u want a 3006 when your discussion is about 270/308?
    A better discussion would be 243 vs 270.
    Same similarities as the 270/308
    243 mule deer 500yd 1 shot heart & 1 shot liver & dead! 270 could do no better!

    Reply
    Ross Spraggs - September 21, 2020

    Well I really enjoyed reading it. This post procured by you is very useful for proper planning.

    Reply
Duncan sellers - October 11, 2017

I totally agree all I have ever used was a 270 caliber rifle!! It really does shoot flatter and longer than a 308 I have killed a lot of deer and all has been with a 270

Reply
Robin Futrell - October 20, 2017

Have to agree with you both I have hunted all my life with 270 and have made some awesome shots with it

Reply
Battaglia - December 26, 2017

I got my 11 year old the CVA 308 and he loves it. His arms did not fit my 270. We are heading out for him to try to git his first buck.

Reply
Karl Penna - May 27, 2018

Very helpful info, I have a tikka 65 and Brno 308 and have been deciding which to sell. My mind is now made up as I will sell the Brno 308. I also have a tikka .243 & tikka .223 , and the Winchester 22.250 which is also being sold. . I hunt mainly pigs , some deer, foxes and rabbits. Many thanks for the great info, i’ll Now have 3 calibers with the 3 tikka’s that will suit my needs and if I get to the Northern Territory to hunt buffalo i’ll Buy a 9.3 x 62
Regards, Karl

Reply
Yvon - July 28, 2018

Depend if you hunt for food or fun. If you hunt for fun primary, choice a mild rifle you enjoy shooting and select the animal and the distance accordingly.
To me recoil is not a problem but muzzle blast is . I enjoy shooting bullet in the range of 170 to 220 grains travelling between 1800 to 2400 fps. That means 30-30 class for the lighter and 30-06 class for heavier bullets.
Am I narrow minded? May be. I own my father’s 22 hornet brno and I shot extensively calibers from .22 lr to .458 winchester, but a 170 grains round bullet in 30-30 and .220 grain in 30-06 are a kind I like to shoot. I also prefer iron and peep sight. Finally I am not a hunter but a man who likes carry a gun while relaxing in the bush. All around rifle? Beware, you are in danger to pursuit an all around women and you would probably expire before to find her. Stand by your gun and enjoy being in wilderness more than what kind of animal you bring back home. Now shoot on me. LOL

Reply
Yvon - July 28, 2018

Forced to make a choice for and all around rifle between 30-30 and 30-06 range I will choice the 7mauser with it’s mild loads.
While the debates are always between 30-06 and 270, we forget than prior these cartridges we had 8mm mauser and it’s neck down 7mm. whose where a lot better pleasant to shoot with a better desing. Plus they came in the all time famous and intelligent mauser desing rifle.

Reply
Jim Peterson - January 28, 2019

“We are not abdicating for one or the other…”
That is a rather comical typo!
Perhaps auto spell correct took over…
You might want fix it, since I’m quite sure you are talking about “advocating” rather than stepping down from your throne. 🙂

Reply
    Trek Warrior - January 28, 2019

    Fixed, thanks.

    Reply
Avery Taylor - February 3, 2019

I have a 300 Winchester magnum and a 270 Winchester I recently purchased the 270 Winchester and can’t wait to hunt with it when citing it and I notice it is very very accurate can someone laborate on that shooting a Winchester 130 grain PowerPoint bullet will this rifle also take elk and moose

Reply
Tim - February 4, 2019

Looking at the numbers on Hornady’s site, your numbers for the 270 don’t look right. For example, though your muzzle velocity for the 150g is 10 fps faster, their numbers @ 500 yards are 1931, 1242, and -44.1 for velocity, energy and drop. https://press.hornady.com/assets/pcthumbs/tmp/1410994454-2017-Standard-Ballistics-Chart.pdf

Reply
    Luke - August 7, 2020

    Thank you! I was wondering why it looked so off! there’s no way the 150 gr 270 bullet lost more speed at 500 yards that the 150 gr 308 at 500 yards. the BC and muzzle velocity don’t allow that mathematically. They’re both the same bullet construction, and the 308 is slower from the get go.

    Reply
Johnny Landers - July 4, 2020

My dad Bought me a 270 when I was 13. At 30, I bought a browning A bolt in 270 and put up my original gun. My son eventually took over my 270 and I was forced to shoot a 308 that I had bought with a gun collection. We hunt in Alabama I don’t have a ton of longshots where we hunt. I could not believe how sweet the recall and blast was from the 308. I have killed a lot of deer with the 308. They are both great guns but I have noticed within 100 yards the 270 sometimes will shoot through the animal and not knock it down. I truly think it’s personal choice and your hunting style.

Reply
Blaine jacox - November 7, 2020

Bought model 70 Win in 1954 308 long before Viet nam war

Reply
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