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.270 COMEBACK??? #6916527 10/11/17 01:44 PM
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Mikei got me thinking about the good old .270. 130-140gr going 3,000fps. Isn't this the perfect long range weight and speed?

Or is the old, beat up .270, (like me) just past its prime, past up by all the sexy new 6.5.s

there are lots of good bullets available now, so what up?

if someone were to choose a .270 Win for a long range set up what barrel twist would be best?


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Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6916533 10/11/17 01:48 PM
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I still have and use 2 270s. They kill deer the same deadness as every other gun in my safe. I've shot my Sako out to 500 (which isn't far on this forum but it is for me) with Berger VLDs and they shot really well. The new 145 grain ELD-X would probably be a good option for stretching one out and there was a post on here a while back (Chad maybe?) had tried some.

*Edit: I hate those Bergers on deer though. I use a 130 SST and it hits like a ranch hand bumper.

Last edited by aggiehunter03; 10/11/17 01:51 PM.
Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6916553 10/11/17 02:02 PM
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Thought about putting a faster twist barrel on my current 270 win sendero to handle the berger 170's, but it shoots too good right now to mess with.


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Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6916554 10/11/17 02:04 PM
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The 270 is a good one. If you compare the 270 to say a 308, the 270 has better ballistics than a 308. The bullet is going faster than a 308 by about 300-400 fps. And the BC of the bullets are about the same. A .277", 135 grain Sierra Matchking has a listed G1 BC of .488, and a 175 grain 308 is listed as .496. They are pretty close, but the 270 has the speed advantage. The negative of the 270 is the lack of heavy bullets with a high BC. Berger has come out with the 170 grain EOL, and it puts it on par with high BC bullets compared to other calibers.

Can the 270 be shot long range- yes. In comparison to other rounds, like the 6.5mm and 7mm, it's not as attractive for the heavier and higher BC bullets.


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Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6916590 10/11/17 02:28 PM
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The .270 isn't going away. I really have no idea what percentage of shooters and hunters are into the LR game, but I don't believe it's a really significant number. I do believe that many unnecessarily are swayed to choose cartridges suited to LR for hunting though. I also think that the numbers appear to be greater than they really are due to their enthusiasm and heavy participation on forums. Not that I am trying to diminish the discipline...just saying...


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Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6916618 10/11/17 03:04 PM
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It's not just the bullet design and availability, but the higher powder quantities and higher recoil that make it less attractive than a 6.5, for instance. It uses about 30%-40% more powder than a 6.5 and has about that much extra recoil as well.

If I'm going long action and more power than a 6.5, I'm looking at something like a 7 Rem Mag. JMHO

Not dead at all. Still a great deer or hog killer. But if you're shooting long range and you get to pick a caliber based on ballistics versus recoil & load cost, there are other calibers with inherent advantages.

Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6916649 10/11/17 03:40 PM
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Can't fault your logic in that argument. I think it's near impossible to weigh and quantify all the factors we use in selecting or rejecting a cartridge, and explaning it all afterward. What makes sense to me may just puzzle someone else.

It's intetesting to consider why different cartridges are the way they are. I always figured the 6.5s originated at a time when modern smokeless powder was not available and the way you got more power was to add weight to the bullet since significant velocity increases couldn't be had, thereby necessitating faster twist. Higher velocities came along later, but the die was cast already. In contrast, the .25s and .27s came along when new found velocity potential was the focus, so lighter bullets were being used to take advantage of it. And so that die was cast also, and here we are. But then you look at Remington's flub with the .244 and its insufficient rate of twist, and there THAT is. LOL!


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Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6916650 10/11/17 03:48 PM
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Its a hunting rifle that can reach 500yrd pretty easy with a good hand... I love mine... ammo is easy to find anywere and cheap and actually decent off the shelf... great size caliber for Texas imo.. Iv been using the same old 111savage .270 pre accutrigger and a goldring 3x9x40 since i was 9 and its still my first choice to the day

Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6916654 10/11/17 03:50 PM
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.270 is still my go-to TX gun. I love the rifle, and the handloads I use (130 gr Nosler Accubonds over 4831sc) have proven great on game. Still a pretty flat shooter, and I find the recoil quite manageable. No, it's not a long range rock star but 99.9% of my shots at the lease are under 300 so not too concerned. Between deer and pigs it probably averages 10 to 12 new notches per year.

I thought about building a 6.5 or .260 this year, and probably will one of these days. But honestly that's 100% out of curiosity vs need. The ol' .270 just keeps on getting it done.

Last edited by TxAg; 10/11/17 03:50 PM.
Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6916678 10/11/17 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted By: Buzzsaw
Mikei got me thinking about the good old .270. 130-140gr going 3,000fps. Isn't this the perfect long range weight and speed?


No.

If you want to reach distance, Ballistic Coefficient HAS to be considered. Increasing BC, increases ft/lbs, and decreases wind drift. A heavier bullet will also drift less than a lighter bullet.

Using your comparison, push a 130 or 140 gr 6.5mm at 3000+ fps, and it way out-performs the .270. Push a 147 gr ELD out of a 6.5 SAUM and the .270 can only sit on the bench and watch.

You brought up long range, there's the answer.


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Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6916825 10/11/17 05:57 PM
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I agree it will never be the new LR fad, but as Berger is showing, it has room for improvement with these new heavy bullets.
what Ive hear a 1:7 twist barrel is a place needing improvement as well.

I have a Win mod.54 in .270 made in 1937. Shoots 140 gr Bergers 1/2moa all day. Love that gun, though I don't shoot it much.


Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6916970 10/11/17 08:01 PM
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Absolutely nothing wrong with a .270 for hunting in TX.


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Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6917059 10/11/17 09:02 PM
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Long range means different things to different folks. My deer and pig shooting is about 300 yards and less. There is no advantage that a 6.5 has over a 270 at that distance. Mostly I use a 260 these days. That's a 120 gr bullet at 2900 fps if I had a 24 inch barrel, versus a 130 gr bullet at 3100 fps. Now, if I had a 6.5 mm Remington mag, that duplicates the 270 and has a better bullet BC. Sometimes I wish I had that 6.5 mag, but since I have a 270, I don't need it.

Honestly, the 270 is about as good as O'Conner said it was. My 260 is my '270 Lite'.


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Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6917161 10/11/17 10:39 PM
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With a couple of powders you can run the new 145gr ELD-X G7 BC of .270 @3100fps which should stack up pretty well with 143 gr 6.5 at .315 running 2780fps give or take from a Creedmoor.


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Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: DStroud] #6917253 10/11/17 11:53 PM
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Originally Posted By: DStroud
With a couple of powders you can run the new 145gr ELD-X G7 BC of .270 @3100fps which should stack up pretty well with 143 gr 6.5 at .315 running 2780fps give or take from a Creedmoor.
Yeah but currently, about the best you can do is to break even ballistically with more powder, more recoil, and a long action. If you already have a 270, then that's fine. But if you're choosing which to get from scratch, why would you pick it?

Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: patriot07] #6917256 10/11/17 11:57 PM
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Originally Posted By: patriot07
Originally Posted By: DStroud
With a couple of powders you can run the new 145gr ELD-X G7 BC of .270 @3100fps which should stack up pretty well with 143 gr 6.5 at .315 running 2780fps give or take from a Creedmoor.
Yeah but currently, about the best you can do is to break even ballistically with more powder, more recoil, and a long action. If you already have a 270, then that's fine. But if you're choosing which to get from scratch, why would you pick it?


Exactly.

Use the same action, and about the same powder, and load a 162 gr 7mm in a .284, and it's a world of difference, once you really get some distance involved, 800+


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Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6917302 10/12/17 12:38 AM
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As we all know, there's a world of caliber choices. Picking what's best is either subjective or pure preference. If I was shooting long distance, where long distance is 600 to 1000 yards, the 270 wouldn't be first choice, and I'd probably even swap out the 260 for a 6.5-284. But, at hunting distances that most of use see during the season, there's no reason for a true long distance caliber. I shoot the 260 because it's low recoil, light, and super accurate. But the other day I was going after a real big hog I had seen on camera, so I got the 270 for a little extra juice. I don't need more than the 270 and for me, a high BC really isn't necessary.

You long distance guys use what you use for specific reasons. I understand and appreciate it.


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Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6917312 10/12/17 12:49 AM
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I didn't realize the 270 Win went away and needed a comeback. I thought it was one of the most popular hunting cartridges in the USA.

I don't think it's "perfect" for long range shooting but no one in their right mind can deny it's an excellent hunting cartridge for distances 99% of game are shot.



Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6917323 10/12/17 01:01 AM
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Kind of funny story. About three months ago I was showing a friend a Tikka online at Eurooptic and noticed a lefty 270WSM clearance priced so I decided I was going to get it and build something off it.

Got the rifle put those cheap rings on it with a Vortex razor LH mounted and went to the range with some 145’s loaded up. Running 3200fps and shooting bug holes I decided to just leave it just the way it was.

This past weekend I find another lefty Tikka on the sale rack at Cabelas this one a 270 hmmmm.... bought it BUT didn’t shoot it never even opened the box lest I be tempted. Took it straight to Derrick at Horizon and will be patiently waiting for a 6.5/284 .It will be my weapon for a Mule Deer/ Coues Deer hunt upcoming in January.


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Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: scottfromdallas] #6917403 10/12/17 01:52 AM
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Originally Posted By: scottfromdallas

I didn't realize the 270 Win went away and needed a comeback. I thought it was one of the most popular hunting cartridges in the USA.

I don't think it's "perfect" for long range shooting but no one in their right mind can deny it's an excellent hunting cartridge for distances 99% of game are shot.


Agreed on all points.

Buzz wanted to make it a long range cartridge, but it's not all that great at that task.


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Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6919982 10/14/17 07:36 AM
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I just started playing with the .270's a few years ago and I REALLY like it. Currently have 2, a Browning X Bolt W.G.M. that shoots Remington 130 gr. Core-Lockts so well I haven't started hand loading for it yet and a Winchester (FN mfg.) Model 70 Super Grade that I do load 130 gr. Sierras for. Nothing I've ever shot with either has walked or run away. Farthest I've ever killed anything with it was a medium sized sow at a lased range of 323 yards. Works for me.


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Re: .270 COMEBACK??? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6920536 10/14/17 09:32 PM
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I love the 270, it was my first deer rifle (Winchester Model 70 Ranger/4x16 Bushnell scope/130 gr Core-Lockts). Every animal I shot with it were all one shot kills. I'm sure I'd still be hunting with it today if it hadn't gotten stolen. bang

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