.270 or .308 Handi rifle

[leaf and lightning]

Since I just found out a local sporting goods store does layaway on firearms(minimum $75 down, minimum payment of $10 every 2 weeks till paid off, must be paid off in 1 year) I have decided to put some money down on a deer rifle as soon as my bills are out of the way this month... I have decided that an H&R/NEF Handi Rifle is what I want, just need to settle on a cartridge(part of my decision to go with the Handi is the accessory barrel program, which I fully intend to take advantage of, but I have to decide on which to get first)... after doing a lot of reading on Terminal Ballistics Research ( great site, lots of good info), among other places, I have narrowed my initial choice down to a .270 or a .308... both have a proven track record, both are effective at various ranges, both are readily available in sporting goods stores around here, etc... figured I would turn to you folks to help me decide...

[swamprat]

Both are good calibers and you would do well with either one. If those were my only choices it would be the .270. I bought the Ultra Rifle version of the Handi Rifle in .30-06 and it is my go to gun.

[n2ak79]

I have the .270 Handi Rifle, and it has dropped its fair share deer. Mount a good 3x or variable scope (you will need to add a hammer extension) and you should be good to go.

.308 has jumped up in price and decreased in availability around here - go figure! But it is a great caliber as well.

Shoot often and hunt well! Jeff

[Paul Foreman]

i've killed whitetail with both rounds, but i chose a handi in .30-'06 because factory loadings are lower in pressure, the '06 can more easily be downloaded if need be, which is easier on the handi breech system. the .270 needs to operate at higher pressures to be efficient, and the .308 also. great variety of factory loadings in .30-'06; huge variety of bullets available in .30 caliber. so, if i had to to choose between the .270 and .308, i'd go .308 because of bullet variety. my son's heavy barrel handi in .308 is a fine shooter ...

[Makarov]

I voted for the 308 because 30 cal reloading components might be easier to find in the future compared to 27 cal, both will do anything a rifle should be able to do.

[werewolf won]

Upstate New York is a lot like Maine and I have had great success there with my .270 so that would be my choice. And the Handi is a really nice platform, you will be delighted with yours!

[freebirdfb]

Whichever round you have more of a fondness for. I will eventually pick one of those hindi rifles in 308 simple because I am more familiar with that round.

[Grizzly]

If it was my choice I would go with the 308, 270 is a great round but the 308 is more versatile and generally more available in terms of ammo.

[TMAC]

One thing for sure either round is a very good choice. I personally own the Handi in .270 Cal and for whitetail sized game it's very good medicine. My preference, of course, is the .270. I think when you go to purchase a rifle it might be one cal. is available and the other not so go with what you can find either way is a win win situation.

[leaf and lightning]

One thing for sure either round is a very good choice. I personally own the Handi in .270 Cal and for whitetail sized game it's very good medicine. My preference, of course, is the .270. I think when you go to purchase a rifle it might be one cal. is available and the other not so go with what you can find either way is a win win situation.

good point, but since I am putting it on layaway, and won't be getting it right away(probably be at least a month), it won't really matter if they have it in stock, since they will order if they don't have it...