The 30-06 Springfield and 270 Weatherby are two popular cartridges used for hunting and long-range shooting. Both have a loyal following and are known for their accuracy, power, and versatility. In this article, we will compare the 30-06 Springfield to the 270 Weatherby and provide an in-depth look at each cartridge.
Here is the short answer:
The 270 Weatherby is a more powerful cartridge than the 30-06 Springfield, with a flatter trajectory and higher muzzle velocity. However, the 30-06 Springfield is a more versatile cartridge and is capable of taking down a wide range of game from deer to bison and even grizzly bear.
Since we have looked at the short answer, we can look more depth at each cartridge, the best uses for each cartridge, and a deep dive on which cartridge is better.
In-Depth Look at the 30-06 Springfield
The 30-06 Springfield was introduced in 1906 and saw use in world war 2 and gained a lot of popularity after world war 2. It is a versatile cartridge that can be used for a wide range of hunting and shooting applications, including big game hunting, target shooting, and military and law enforcement use.
One of the benefits of the 30-06 Springfield is its availability. It is a widely used cartridge and ammunition can be found at most gun stores. It also can be found with bullet weights ranging from 110-220 grains allowing you to hunt a wide variety of game.
Here is a ballistics chart of a 30-06 with a 180-grain spitzer bullet:
| Range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2700 | 2913 |
| 50 | -0.1 | 0.2 | 2584 | 2668 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.9 | 2470 | 2439 |
| 150 | -1.3 | 2 | 2359 | 2225 |
| 200 | -4.2 | 3.7 | 2252 | 2026 |
| 250 | -8.8 | 6 | 2147 | 1842 |
| 300 | -15.3 | 8.8 | 2045 | 1671 |
| 350 | -23.8 | 12.1 | 1945 | 1512 |
| 400 | -34.6 | 16.2 | 1848 | 1365 |
| 450 | -48.1 | 21.2 | 1756 | 1232 |
| 500 | -64.6 | 27 | 1667 | 1111 |
In-Depth Look at the 270 Weatherby
The 270 Weatherby is a high-powered cartridge that was introduced in 1943 by Roy Weatherby. It is based on a shortened and blown-out 300 H&H Magnum case necked down to use a .277 caliber bullet.
The 270 Weatherby has a high muzzle velocity of around 3,300 feet per second and a muzzle energy of around 3,800 foot-pounds. It is capable of taking down a wide range of game, including elk, moose, and bear, as well as African game such as kudu, gemsbok, and impala.
One of the benefits of the 270 Weatherby is its flat trajectory. It is capable of shooting accurately at long ranges, making it a popular choice for long-range hunting and shooting.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 270 Weatherby Magnum with a 130-grain spire bullet:
| Range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 3200 | 2956 |
| 50 | -0.3 | 0.2 | 3086 | 2748 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.6 | 2974 | 2553 |
| 150 | -0.7 | 1.4 | 2866 | 2370 |
| 200 | -2.4 | 2.5 | 2760 | 2199 |
| 250 | -5.3 | 4.1 | 2657 | 2037 |
| 300 | -9.5 | 5.9 | 2556 | 1885 |
| 350 | -14.9 | 8.2 | 2457 | 1742 |
| 400 | -21.7 | 10.9 | 2360 | 1608 |
| 450 | -30.2 | 14.1 | 2266 | 1482 |
| 500 | -40.4 | 17.8 | 2173 | 1363 |
In-Depth Answer
One big difference between these two cartridges is their energy. The 270 Weatherby is a more powerful cartridge with a flatter trajectory and higher muzzle velocity. It is capable of taking down a wider range of game and is popular for long-range hunting and shooting.
The 30-06 Springfield is a more versatile cartridge than the 270 Weatherby that is widely available and can be used for a wide range of hunting and shooting applications.
Another factor to consider is recoil. The 270 Weatherby has more recoil than the 30-06 Springfield, which may be a consideration for some shooters who are sensitive to recoil.
Conclusion
The 270 Weatherby is more powerful and has a flatter trajectory, making it a popular choice for long-range hunting and shooting. The 30-06 Springfield is more versatile and widely available, making it a popular choice for a wide range of hunting and shooting applications.