Q: During a recent gun bull session at our local shooting range the following statement was made: “A 110gn .270 bullet and a 110gn .30-calibre bullet leave the muzzles at 3300fps and 3400fps respectively. But at 500 metres, the .30-06 has only half the energy of the .270 bullet.”
We heard this from a guy who considers himself to be the club expert.
However, we now have an ongoing argument raging between the .270 and .30-06 advocates. Can you please give us the facts?
Edward Boardman
A: The .270 by reason of smaller diameter has less air resistance than a .30-calibre bullet of equal weight. Assuming the same shape of point and the same weight, the .30 calibre bullet would have 22% more air resistance than the .270.
If your two bullets are sharp-pointed spitzers, the .30 calibre would have 1753fps and 1051ft-lb of energy left at 500 metres.
At the same range, the 110gn .270 would have 2203fps and 1186ft-lb of energy left.
Thus the .30-calibre would have only about 88 percent of the energy of the .270, despite leaving the muzzle 100 foot-seconds faster.
I hope that settles your argument and stops the boys from murdering each other.

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