I have one of each, both in mauser actions. The .270 is a Parker Hale, and is a tack driver. Most accurate and easy to shoot factory rifle I have ever owned. The 6.5-06 is a custom 1908 mauser, and is very nice as well.

The rifles are essentially equal from a practical standpoint. The .270 has much more accessable ammo options obviously, and with the performance of the two being so similar ( on paper) what if any advantage does the 6.5-06 have? Is it an inherently more accurate round? Better BC?

The 6.5 bullets offer more sectional density than the .277 of equal wt. and that means better penetration, though with the bullets being offered today either one will do what these cartridges are meant to. I am partial to the 6.5 bore and will pick it over a 7mm or 270, but thats just my personal quirk.

There is no advantage of the 6.5/06 over the 270 Win. in terminal performance, other than my mental perception of what may appear on paper. I got my first custom rifle in 6.5/06 in 1966 just to have something different. I still have the rifle and use it occasionally. I also tend to use my 270 more frequently due to my increasing lack of ambition to roll my own.

Geoff

I;ve worked with both quite a bit, and the only advantage a 6.5 has over the 270 is this.

If you truly have a desire to do some work with a wildcat then it is your way to go.

And, if you're serious about shooting in the 500-1K ranges then the 6.5 bullet will take over and give you some edge. Especially with the wind.

Mark D

If it is a hunting rifle, go with what is commercially available. You can walk in any harware store going and find 270 shells. I know it is not probable but shxt happens. For field purpose, ballistic difference is impossible to measure. True terminal performance difference in the two would be next to impossible to determine. Any difference would be opinion biased and very little fact. For anything over 500 yds, sneek up a little closer. Keep it simple.

I'm biased. 270 all the way. I just seem to think that the 270 Win with any 130gr bullet is the best deer cartridge ever.

But I will readily admit that there isn't enough difference between the two to worry about.

The only difference is the actual rifles, and the nut pulling the trigger.

My Dad has shot a 270 his whole life and my neighbor shot a 6.5-06. They both seemed to fill their tags every year.

The difference in terminal performance is purely academic, but since I am a 6.5 fan and handloader I would choose the 6.5-06. Lou

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SDhunter:
I'm biased. 270 all the way. I just seem to think that the 270 Win with any 130gr bullet is the best deer cartridge ever.

Amazing there never was a commercial 270/308, as that might have sold as well or better than the 7-08 and the 270 WSM.

There is a 30TC, but Hornady expects to do a 270TC with 120 at over 3k fps

Thanks everyone for the input. Seems inline with what I have thought all along, and that is that there isn't enough difference int he rounds to pic one rifle over the other based ont eh caliber. I do like the 6.5-06 rifle better, so it is the one I enjoy carrying into the woods with me.

Which bullets would you consider the better performer? Barnes triple shock was recommended to me by an ammo co. that loads alot of these and other wildcats, especially when I mentioned I use the rifle to clean up the hogs on my place. I haven't used them before, any thoughts?

Gidday Bailey,

For your pigs and deer you won't have trouble with anything 120 gr and over in 6.5.

If you want something of stout construction either the 130 Accubond or either the 125gr or 140gr partition would be more than adequate.

Happy Hunting

Hamish

I primarily use 120 Nosler BTs, however I am looking forward to trying the new 130 Accubonds. Can't speak to the Triple Shock or the like, but I am sure they are great bullets.

quote:

The .270 is a Parker Hale, and is a tack driver. Most accurate and easy to shoot factory rifle I have ever owned.

I would have to say the same for my Parker Hale .270

a couple excellent hunting rounds for sure......but the 270 ammo is found everywhere and the 6.5-06 ammo is found only at your loading bench.........

quote:

Originally posted by 6.5BR:
Amazing there never was a commercial 270/308, as that might have sold as well or better than the 7-08 and the 270 WSM.

I agree. When I worked at a reloading/hunting store in Tucson, one of the bosses shot just that. He called it a 277 Titus. Talk about "inherent" accuracy. He used 150 ballistic tips for hunting, and made his own match grade bullets in, I think, 120 grain and 140. I saw several of his range targets and I don't see why this never caught on. His rifle sported a Hart bbl and was, from what I could tell, as or more accurate than any 308 or 243 with SMK, or Berger bullets.

Gidday Doc,

Nah I don't think your idea would have gone very well. It isn't as versatile (bullet weight and velocity wise) as a 308 or as efficient as the 260 with its high BC and SD bullets.

Just the same as the 270win versus the 30-06 and 6.5-06.

The 277 bore size is the calibre that should never have been but exists like all things in the retail world, because the consumer is stupid and easily duped.

Just my angle on it lol

Happy Hunting

Hamish

bread and butter stuff mate

quote:

Originally posted by Hamish:
Gidday Doc,

Nah I don't think your idea would have gone very well.

Wasn't my idea. Just something I witnessed.

For target shooting the 6,5 offers a better bullet selection, and also a wider range of bullet weights for the hunter.

I think it is 6's. 6 on one side 1/2 dozen on other. It used to be that the 6.5 had more bullet selection for reloading. I am not sure if that is still true. I never shoot factory stuff but factory 270 ammo is plentiful and usually in-expensive. But then I reload all my ammo.
If I had one I wouldn't trade it for the other.