Which of the classic calibers in .270, .30-06 or .308 if shooting solid copper only?

[Leatherneck]

Would any of these 3 calibers impact your choice if you were trying to find a rifle to shoot solid copper only?

 

[Rob5589]

I would say if you don't reload, pick the caliber most readily available to you. Other than that, they'll all do what you ask of them.

 

[handwerk]

Agreed, I load Barnes TTSX or LRX for all three cartridges and didn't have an issue finding a good load.

 

[PlumberED]

You can’t go wrong with any of them however, of the three I am partial to the 308.

 

[eamyrick]

My 30-06 T3X shoots factory barnes 180s very well. I shot a Muley and Whitetail last season with great results.

 

[Tod osier]

Would any of these 3 calibers impact your choice if you were trying to find a rifle to shoot solid copper only?

.270 because it is the fastest of the bunch and with the 130s it is mostly loaded for it will have the best BC in the standard factory loadings. If you wanted to shoot a heavier copper, maybe the 3006 would be able to get it done - the Vor-TX long range loading for 175 LRX is still at 2000 fps at 500 yards (so is the 270 with 129s). The 308 drops below 2000 fps at 3 or 400 yards, depending on the loading and has the worst BC.

 

[PlumberED]

.270 because it is the fastest of the bunch and with the 130s it is mostly loaded for it will have the best BC in the standard factory loadings. If you wanted to shoot a heavier copper, maybe the 3006 would be able to get it done - the Vor-TX long range loading for 175 LRX is still at 2000 fps at 500 yards (so is the 270 with 129s). The 308 drops below 2000 fps at 3 or 400 yards, depending on the loading and has the worst BC.

You bring up a good point about speed in the 270, I had shot some Federal factory rounds loaded with 110 Barnes TSX, IIRC were clipping along at 3400 FPS. They really did a number on deer.

 

[hiker270]

.270 because it is the fastest of the bunch and with the 130s it is mostly loaded for it will have the best BC in the standard factory loadings. If you wanted to shoot a heavier copper, maybe the 3006 would be able to get it done - the Vor-TX long range loading for 175 LRX is still at 2000 fps at 500 yards (so is the 270 with 129s). The 308 drops below 2000 fps at 3 or 400 yards, depending on the loading and has the worst BC.

Speed is the key to copper bullets. The 270 would be my choice also.

 

[robtattoo]

Either .270 or the ought-six with light bullets. I wouldn't go heavier than 150s in copper for the '06, but that being the case, it makes far more sense to shoot 150s in the .270 & have the advantage of better BCs & SD.

 

[bojangles808]

Probably the 270 bc it will shoot the fstest

 

[LeftyWilbury]

i went with 308. barnes 130 TTSX factory load leaves my 22" barrel at 3035 fps. good enough for my purposes.
but 3400 out of a 270 sounds pretty sexy for the same weight bullet....

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

My 06AI can get around 3k without pushing it hard, using165 ttsx. I certainly wouldn't go heavier on an all copper bullet. And I'd probably go with a .270 if I were in your shoes. Light and fast is the way to go with copper.

 

[Weldor]

Been shooting the GMX since 2010 , 308. No issues except some copper fouling nothling a good scubbing didn't take care of.

 

[TN2shot07]

I don’t hand load and have always had exceptional luck with Barnes, except for my 308. Would not shoot 150s or 168s, may still try to track down some of the 130s just to see. I messed up and bought 3 boxes of the 150s when I found them so now I’ll have to deal with getting rid of them

 

[Marshfly]

What is said above about the 270 makes it the correct choice. Mono bullets need to go fast to work. 270 is the fastest therefore it wins here.

 

[Yellowknife]

. If you wanted to shoot a heavier copper, maybe the 3006 would be able to get it done - the Vor-TX long range loading for 175 LRX is still at 2000 fps at 500 yards (so is the 270 with 129s). The 308 drops below 2000 fps at 3 or 400 yards, depending on the loading and has the worst BC.

I have a small pile of recovered 175 LRX fired from a '06 and no matter what Barnes says.... expansion is pretty minimal when you get close to 400 yds. You have to keep "long range" marketing in context with a '06 and copper.

On the positive side, at closer ranges, the 175 has a fantastic mushroom for a copper bullet. Actually bigger than the .338 TTX bullets I've recovered. It's not a bad load, but don't expect it to significantly extend range vs a lighter bullet.

.270 would likely be my vote, but a 30-06 will always get the job done.

 

[rclouse79]

I shoot a 130 g barnes ttsx out of my .270 and have yet to have an issue on antelope, deer, bear or elk.

 

[sndmn11]

I have a small pile of recovered 175 LRX fired from a '06 and no matter what Barnes says.... expansion is pretty minimal when you get close to 400 yds. You have to keep "long range" marketing in context with a '06 and copper.

On the positive side, at closer ranges, the 175 has a fantastic mushroom for a copper bullet. Actually bigger than the .338 TTX bullets I've recovered. It's not a bad load, but don't expect it to significantly extend range vs a lighter bullet.

.270 would likely be my vote, but a 30-06 will always get the job done.

Share pics!

I shot an elk at 400-425ish last year with a 168ttsx starting around 3000fps, and if someone told me the tip next expanded last .308 I'd believe them based on the holes.

I have 180 Berger on the way for this season, but also some 175lrx for when I can stay inside 300.

 

[Yellowknife]

Share pics!

I shot an elk at 400-425ish last year with a 168ttsx starting around 3000fps, and if someone told me the tip next expanded last .308 I'd believe them based on the holes.

I have 180 Berger on the way for this season, but also some 175lrx for when I can stay inside 300.

I suspect you will find the 175 LRX will be essentially identical in performance to the 168 TTSX. The only difference I can tell is that the 175 has a slightly longer boat tail... about 7 grs worth. Otherwise they are identical bullets with different marketing.

 

[sndmn11]

I suspect you will find the 175 LRX will be essentially identical in performance to the 168 TTSX. The only difference I can tell is that the 175 has a slightly longer boat tail... about 7 grs worth. Otherwise they are identical bullets with different marketing.

I agree, they probably are similar. I just wanted to see pics of 400yd ttsx.