Barnes or similar, not Dangerous Game Solid.

For those on the .270 camp, and I am one, why not a .264 win mag?

read the article in RIFLE magazine, if I were to buy another bolt, it would be the new model 70 n .270

I have been hunting with Model 70's for well over 50 years and IMO it is the finest hunting rifle of all time. (I am also a big Jack O'Connor fan).

I currently have 7 different Model 70's in various models and calibers, including both .270 and 30-06, Pre-64 Model, Standard Model, Featherweight Model, Stainless All Weather Model and Super Grade. I have taken many deer with both the .270 and 30-06. Best bullet in 30-06 is a quality 165 grain, but not a solid for elk. Best bullet for 270 is a quality 140 grain such as Nosler Accubond. I have taken 2 elk with my Model 70's, 1 nice bull at around 100 yards with a Model 70 Super Grade 7mm Rem. Mag and another good bull at 320 yards with my Model 70 All Terrain Model 70, .270 shooting 140 Nosler Accubond. That has been my longest shot on a elk and it dropped in its tracks and never moved a muscle.

The 30-06 is a great cartridge as well and I have taken a lot of game with mine, but my go to and favorite rifle is a Model 70 .270. (I think the new Model 70 in .270WSM would be even better).

You can't go wrong with any of these calibers, just stick with the Model 70. It is The Rifleman's Rifle!!

Yup. I have a Super Grade (FN mfg.) in .270 Win. and it's a tack driver... real pretty one too. Solid rifles, miles better than any of my 700's ever were as far as fit, finish and general quality goes. Love my '06's as well, but I've become quite fond of my .270's. Nothing I've shot at with it has walked away. I like the MOA trigger too.

ETA- I'd love to find a new Featherweight Model 70 in 7x57.

The OP may not handload ammo, and that is a pretty expensive round to shoot.

I to am a big fan of the Model 70. My ever growing collection spans calibers from .223 WSSM to .325WSM, and a good range in between. No pre-64's but I have some from the various modern iterations. The new FN made rifles are superior for sure. After a lot of thought I decided that for me the ultimate go anywhere-do anything would be an Extreme Weather in 300 WSM. That rifle is solid, durable, not too heavy and really accurate. I loaded up 150gr load going not too fast for hill country deer, and just recently got a 165gr Accubond full tilt load worked up for when I need it, like longer shots, and going to KS if I get the chance. And, a 180gr load is in the works for for a possible elk or caribou hunt some day. A .270 would work fine. A .30-06 is a little better then that in terms of flexibility and better upper end power.

My final decision is going to be the Model 70 Featherweight .270. Now I just need to start saving up. Thank you all for yalls input!

When Cabelas in Lubbock opened a couple of years ago, they had a Featherweight in .257 Roberts for a LOOONG time. Almost long enough for me to talk myself in to buying it. It was a beautiful gun and would have been a whitetail slayer for sure.

You guys are killing me. I bought a Superior Grade Mod 70 7x57 NIB in 2014. Thing is super nice and I haven't shot it, almost kind of scared too. I get it out and look at it once in a while. Think I will take it to the range next week.

The 7x57 can be reloaded with a modern load and it is a great shoot er.

Right now running 150gr sp's in front of H4350 and before that 139gr SST's. Nothing hot, right at or below max loads. The 7x57 is awesome, I have been hunting with the round for the last 10 years or so. Critters just fall over dead when you shoot them, its effectiveness is odd and I like it.

That is a great pick, and my favorite Model 70 is the Featherweight in 270 as well!

I thought I might open up a can of worms and see how the 280 works into this equation?

If I had a .280, I wouldn't feel a need for a .270. If I had a .270 I wouldn't feel a need for a .280. .277 vs .284 caliber with both cases having essentially the same powder capacity? Having both would be redundant to me from a capability standpoint. But redundancy wouldn't stop me if I just wanted to have one of each. I'd have to buy a .280.

As much as I like the .280 more than .270, I have to admit this is true. I prefer the .280 because it's more unusual, but I can't count on being able to find ammo for it for just that reason. Since I'm a handloader, I do not care about that. In truth, it's six of one or a half dozen of the other. Both are great hunting cartridges.

But the .280 IS better.

My personal choice would be the .270 and I have a pre-64 Mod 70 in that caliber. I was (and still am), a fan of Jack O'Conner and he used it on a variety of American, Alaskan and African game. It shoots flatter than the 30-06 making it a better choice for long shots I.M.O.
That said, the 30-06 can be loaded with a much wider variety of bullets and if you are a fan of Elmer Keith, you go with "Bigger is better".
I currently hunt deer with a Marlin 45-70 and get almost 100% bang-flops with that overkill weapon. A lung shot with a .270 often results in a short run before the animal keels over. I am O.K. with either
circumstance. The Win Mod 70 is "The Riflemans Rifle" and an excellent choice, regardless of what caliber you select.

...it's a looong time 'till deer season ...

So let the Tallest Dog Games Begin...

...price and availability of 270 ammo makes it the best choice...and has 100 gr'ers in factory ammo at mega speeds...

....280's can shoot 175 gr'ers... if you need moose ammo and can find them or any other ammo in any bullet weight besides 150gr'ers in stock ...
Just Sayin'...since I've been shootin' 270's since 1969...
Ron

The 270 WSM will shoot 150 grain bullets at the same velocity as a 270 Winchester pushes a 130. The slightly heavier bullet at the same speed gives it an edge for elk.

My custom model 70 Sporter in 270 WSM: