help me decide, 270 vs 308 or look for another rifle?

[sasquatch]

Here's my dilemma, I am new to elk hunting, made my first trip this past season and hunted archery in otc Colorado. Next year I am planning on Montana or Wyoming to avoid some crowds and if I don't tag out for archery I will be looking to continue on with the rifle when it opens. I have a older savage 110 I believe in a 270 that shoots well and a sako finnlight 308 that shoots well but have never used it for longer range or on anything bigger than deer. What would you suggest would work and to what ranges? Types of bullets that should be used?


Or like I stated should I buy a new gun which I really don't want to do and spend a bunch more money but its a possibility.

I also have a CVA apex in a 35 whelen but idk how the accuracy would be long range with the crack barrel single shot. I haven't shot it much since I bought it.

 

[COlineman78]

I have both and I would say go with whatever is most comfortable to you to shoot first of all. But if you are looking for tie breakers, I would go with .270 if you plan on keeping it 300 yards or less. I have both. The advantage of 270 is how flat it shoots. You don't have to account for bullet drop out to 250 and only slightly out to 350. I would hesitate to go out much past 400 with a 270, but range will be heavily impacted by the scope you have on each rife. 9x scope limits you to 400 yards IMO. I have a 12x on my 308. The military says that 308 is lethal out to 800 and there have been recorded kills out to 1300. I personally restrict myself to 550-600 as that's as far as my range finder will register. As far as bullets, go with whatever you gun likes. My dad has used Remington Core-Lok for years in his .270 without issue. A lot of people on here prefer Nosler Accubonds or Partitions.

 

[luke moffat]

I am a big fan of the little 308 and have shot plenty of game with it here in Alaska. Granted my furthest shots were right at 400 yards with it though but it did the job on both moose and caribou at that range. Seems to work for me. The 270 is a great option as well and either will kill just fine at 500 yards if you can shoot well and get accurate loads with a bullet designed for the task. Just a matter more or less of which rifle you prefer IMO. Personally I would pick your Finnlight and go but thats just me.

 

[husky390]

I'd be happy to trade you my Kimber Montana in 300wsm for your Finnlight if you want a "boomstick".

Either one will work just fine and I don't see a reason for you to get another gun unless you have the "sickness" and love playing with different rifle calibers. BTW, if your Savage has the original trigger installed, pick up a Timney Trigger for it. Costs about $100 and it will turn it into a whole new gun. Good luck and straight shooting.

 

[sasquatch]

I'd be happy to trade you my Kimber Montana in 300wsm for your Finnlight if you want a "boomstick".

Either one will work just fine and I don't see a reason for you to get another gun unless you have the "sickness" and love playing with different rifle calibers. BTW, if your Savage has the original trigger installed, pick up a Timney Trigger for it. Costs about $100 and it will turn it into a whole new gun. Good luck and straight shooting.

Did that last year, made a big difference!!! And for a cheap funky looking gun that thing sure does shoot! It'll shoot anything i put in it.

 

[hunting1]

I would keep the 308 myself. Load up some 155 Scenars and Varget at 2850+ and kill stuff. For elk I will take a light carrying rifle every time.

 

[Mad Mountain Mike]

Another vote for the .308. A lot of moose and elk have been taken with one over the years. A 30 cal bullet with light recoil and I'm sure that Finnlight is an accurate shooter, sounds like a win win.

 

[husky390]

Did that last year, made a big difference!!! And for a cheap funky looking gun that thing sure does shoot! It'll shoot anything i put in it.

That sums up my experience with Savage rifles. They're like Glocks, not pretty but they flat out shoot.

My .308 likes Barnes Vortex 168gr TTSX.

 

[COlineman78]

I would keep the 308 myself. Load up some 155 Scenars and Varget at 2850+ and kill stuff. For elk I will take a light carrying rifle every time.

That's after you kidnap someone's family to get a hold of some Varget.

 

[mtnwrunner]

Between those two you list, I would vote for the 308. Bigger bullet, nice recoil and accurate. That being said, I'd also shoot whichever you can shoot better---I also a sako fan. So many guns, so little game seasons..............

Randy

 

[16Bore]

I'd think bullets and let the rest fall into place.

 

[luke moffat]

That's after you kidnap someone's family to get a hold of some Varget.

No need for stinking varget. I can get 2930 fps from my 20" barrel kimber Montanas (both mine and my wife's) with 155 scenars and 2000-mr powder.

Also can get 2650 fps in the same short barrel rifles with 180 swift sciroccos. For elk, moose, and bears I would be using the sciroccos. For deer, sheep, and caribou the 155 scenars make a great flat shooting option.

 

[robtattoo]

Here's a thought....
Save a crap-ton of money if you feel like something bigger & slap you a .280ai barrel on that savage .270
All the fun of a 7mm mag with half the noise, recoil & unnecessary commotion.
Bison Gunworks will fit you up for under 3 bills & you can fit & headspace it yourself in a little under 5 minutes

 

[16Bore]

Not much difference in a 280AI and 270 unless your running heavies.

 

[hunting1]

That's after you kidnap someone's family to get a hold of some Varget.

We have here in ABQ, bring your bottle and I'll give you pound, bring good beer!

i use 4064 and RL15 too which are here. Go online to Butch's reloading, they get a good mix and have TAC even.

 

[COlineman78]

We have here in ABQ, bring your bottle and I'll give you pound, bring good beer!

i use 4064 and RL15 too which are here. Go online to Butch's reloading, they get a good mix and have TAC even.

Yeah, I don't actually use it myself but have a coworker does and had me looking for it whenever I was in a shop. I was at cabelas yesterday and they actually had 6 bottles and lots of other types that I haven't seen in forever. Still no 22lr though. Luckily I think I still have about 2000 rds left from my 5000 I ordered before the hording frenzy.

 

[aclawrence]

On the 22lr note. I picked up a Ruger American rim fire at Gander Mountain the other day and they kind of discreetly asked me if I wanted any ammo. They save it in the back for customers that buy guns and need some ammo to shoot. Needless to say I bought some. Let's just leave it at that so you all don't start crying lol.

 

[wyosteve]

Lineman, not that you'd want to drive, but I was at the Sidney Cabela's last Friday and they had a whole shelf of .22 lr. Limit was 1200 rds. per person. I got mine!

 

[ofl0926]

I'm extremely happy with my 270wby magnum. Extremely flat shooting and Hard hitting. Granted ammo is expensive but with the 130SP factory ammo, your looking at great ballistics

 

[Mr Drysdale]

Another vote for the .308. I don't hunt Elk but it is bad medicine on white tails!