.270 Winchester vs .30-06 Springfield

Comparing the .270 Winchester vs .30-06 Springfield showcases two classic American hunting cartridges with different approaches to big game performance. The .30-06 Springfield (150gr Extreme Point at 2920 fps) delivers slightly higher energy, maintaining 2612 ft-lbs at 50 yards compared to the .270 Winchester's (130gr Extreme Point at 3060 fps) 2516 ft-lbs. Both cartridges demonstrate substantial penetration for hunting applications, with the .270 Winchester reaching 45.8-46.2 inches and the .30-06 Springfield achieving 32.6-32.9 inches, both well beyond defensive requirements. The recoil characteristics are virtually identical, with both cartridges generating approximately 25 ft-lbs of recoil energy. While the .270 Winchester starts with higher velocity, the .30-06's heavier bullet provides marginally better energy retention at distance, though both remain excellent choices for medium to large game hunting with only minor practical differences. Remember that performance varies considerably with different ammunition selections and firearm platforms, so these figures represent typical hunting loadings rather than definitive performance benchmarks.