.30-06 versus .270: Which is the premier deer hunting caliber?

     This is a question that I have been asking myself for many years. After extensive research on what is the best deer hunting caliber I've narrowed it down to the popular 30-06 and .270. Here's my spiel on each one.

30-06:

Specifications
Parent case	.30-03 Springfield
Case type	Rimless, bottleneck
Bullet diameter	.308 in (7.8 mm)
Neck diameter	.340 in (8.6 mm)
Shoulder diameter	.441 in (11.2 mm)
Base diameter	.471 in (12.0 mm)
Rim diameter	.473 in (12.0 mm)
Rim thickness	.049 in (1.2 mm)
Case length	2.494 in (63.3 mm)
Overall length	3.34 in (85 mm)
Case capacity	68 gr H2O (4.42 cm³)
Rifling twist	1-10 in.
Primer type	Large Rifle
Maximum pressure	60,200 psi
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type	Velocity	Energy
150 gr (9.7 g) Nosler Ballistic Tip	2,910 ft/s (890 m/s)	2,820 ft·lbf (3,820 J)
165 gr (10.7 g) BTSP	2,800 ft/s (850 m/s)	2,872 ft·lbf (3,894 J)
180 gr (12 g) Core-Lokt Soft Point	2,700 ft/s (820 m/s)	2,913 ft·lbf (3,949 J)
200 gr (13 g) Partition	2,569 ft/s (783 m/s)	2,932 ft·lbf (3,975 J)
220 gr (14 g) RN	2,500 ft/s (760 m/s)	2,981 ft·lbf (4,042 J)

     The 30-06 Springfield is at the upper end of power and still has a tolerable recoil for most shooters. The 30-06 has a lower velocity than the .270 but packs much more of a punch, easily capable of taking both deer and elk. Plus its kind of cool to say "aught-6."

.270:

Specifications
Parent case	.30-03 Springfield
Bullet diameter	.277 in (7.0 mm)
Neck diameter	.308 in (7.8 mm)
Shoulder diameter	.441 in (11.2 mm)
Base diameter	.470 in (11.9 mm)
Rim diameter	.473 in (12.0 mm)
Case length	2.540 in (64.5 mm)
Overall length	3.340 in (84.8 mm)
Case capacity	67 gr H2O (4.355 cm³)
Rifling twist	1 in 10 in (250 mm)
Primer type	Large rifle
Maximum pressure	65,000 psi (450 MPa)
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type	Velocity	Energy
90 gr (5.8 g) HP	3,603 ft/s (1,098 m/s)	2,595 ft·lbf (3,518 J)
130 gr (8.4 g) SP	3,060 ft/s (930 m/s)	2,702 ft·lbf (3,663 J)
140 gr (9.1 g) SP	2,916 ft/s (889 m/s)	2,644 ft·lbf (3,585 J)
150 gr (9.7 g) SP	2,850 ft/s (870 m/s)	2,706 ft·lbf (3,669 J)
130 gr (8.4 g) SST	3,200 ft/s (980 m/s)	2,955 ft·lbf (4,006 J)

     The .270 is a great all around rifle cartridge. Capable of taking down both deer and elk. It has a higher velocity than the 30-06 but doesn't pack as much of a punch.

     The Winner: 30-06.

     Don't get me wrong the .270 is a great cartridge. But when you put 'em head to head the 30-06 wins, every time. Feel free to voice your opinions in the comment section.