270 WBY vs 30-06

[bob_dobalina]

i have been thinking about this - a 270 WBY shoots a 150 grain bullet at around 3000 fps (average); a 30-06 around 2900 fps - so the 270 WBY would be slightly better suited for elk, no? not to say 150gr is the best bullet for elk, just saying the 270 wby packs just a little more punch - or am i missing something? i've always thought of the 30-06 as the "bigger" gun.

 

[Powerstroke]

You'll get a lot of controversy on this one.....now with that said, the Sierra book shows the 270 bee @ 2997 ft/lbs of energy traveling @ 3000 fps where the 30-06 shows 2801 ft/lbs of energy @ 2900 fps, so yes the .270 Bee is generating more energy.
However on game, don't discount frontal impact area of the bullet....

Just my $.02 as they will both get the job done quite nicely on elk.

 

[Guest]

Well, a couple of things to consider. Let me say up front that I'm a seasoned 270Wby shooter, and I'm familiar with just about any and all reputable data (and some not so reputable data). I've personally pushed a 150gr bullet well over 3000fps. In fact, several start loads are running 2950-3000fps for the 150gr bullets. Max loads will push those same 150gr bullets along at 3200-3250fps, depending on your barrel length. Even with a 24" tube, you'll get an easy 3150-3200 out of them. So you'll grossly exceed the energy of the 30-06 comparing equal bullet weights. It's an illogical comparison, but more on that in a minute. Consider the 150gr .277cal bullet is going to have a much higher BC than the 150gr .308cal bullet, so not only is muzzle energy going to be higher, but downrange energy is going to be markedly higher, and trajectory is going to be markedly flatter.

Now, all of that said, either one is going to drop elk if the shot is good. Neither is if the shot is bad. If I were hunting elk with a 30-06, I'd sure as heck move up to a 165-180gr bullet, though, too. In fact, the 180gr bullet is a better comparison with the 150gr bullet in the 270Wby, as these are much more similar in terms of BC and SD than the two 150's are.

 

[FOTIS]

As stated you have to consider sectional density also. Given the same construction of a bullet a 150 270 will out penetrate a 30 cal 150 even at the same velocity. But then you have the diameter to consider.

 

[3006savage]

i have been thinking about this - a 270 WBY shoots a 150 grain bullet at around 3000 fps (average); a 30-06 around 2900 fps - so the 270 WBY would be slightly better suited for elk, no? not to say 150gr is the best bullet for elk, just saying the 270 wby packs just a little more punch - or am i missing something? i've always thought of the 30-06 as the "bigger" gun.

You are comparing an optimum big game bullet weight in the 270 to a poor at best big game bullet in the 06. As a general rule it is best to compare similar sectional density when evaluating different cartridges. That being said the 150 grain Etip in 30 caliber would be the best combination of BC (.469) and penetration to compare. This bullet with RL17 is being pushed at 3,100+ FPS in the 06 by several handloaders that I know. As soon as I can get my hands on some I will do my own testing to confirm.

I would probably give the 270 Weatherby with a 150 grain interbond at .525
BC the nod however becase of the higher downrange energy and SD.

For maximum downrange energy the 200 grain AccuBond from my 06 at 2720 fps is very hard to match with most 270 weatherby options.