What's wrong with .270?

[SkodaBrno]

I grew up shooting the .270 since it was the preferred catridge of my Father and Grandfather. Even though I aslo own a 30-06, .303, and .308 I've never replaced my .270 as my go-to hunting caliber. I find the combination of a flat trajectory, accuracy, low recoil, and hitting power hard to beat for use on White Tail and Moose here in Maine.

[mkd]

I have owned 2 rifles in  308,currently still own a 30-06,and a 243. both are Remington bolt actions. the 270 is a necked down 30 -06 case and the 243 is a necked down 308 case. the 270 and 30-06  is a long action and the  243 and 308 are short actions. off the top of my head 12mm shorter! i have hunted deer in wis. since 1964 and my first rifle was a 308,second was a 308, the 30-06 now I've owned since 1971. 30-06 is more versatile in store bought ammo selection, 308 ballistically very close to the 30-06 but has the shorter action and not as many ammo choices. 270 smaller bullet dia. not as many ammo choices. and bullet weights not as heavy. i don't think you could go wrong with 30-06, 308, or 270. especially if you have the means to load your own shells.

[jameslovesjammie]

The 270 is a necked down .30-03 case and the 243 is a necked down 308 case.

Fixed it for ya.  The .270 is based on the .30-03, not the .30-06.  If you run .270 brass in a .30-06 die...it will be too long.  If you run .30-06 brass in a .270 sizing die, it will be too short.  They are close, but slightly different.

[mkd]

I've  seen reference for either cartridge " being based off" of or "parent cartridge" for the 270 winchester depending where you search. one source is wipekedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.270_Winchester

[jameslovesjammie]

And what was the parent case for the .30-06?  Hint: It was the original chambering for the 1903 Springfield.  The .30-06 Springfield and .270 Winchester are sons of the same father, not father and son.  Anyone that says the .270 Winchester is a necked down .30-06 is wrong off the bat.

[mkd]

I guess i'm wrong!

[calypsocoral]

I'll add .280 Remington to mix in a little confusion, as the .280 Remington is a son of the .30-06, but has nearly-identical length to the .270 Winchester. IIRC, the case was lengthened and altered slightly to prevent .270 and .30-06 cartridges from chambering in a .280.

A Ruger M77 Hawkeye in .280 Remington is my favorite rifle. Personally, I'd love to purchase a CZ in .280 Ackley Improved, if they ever decided to make one. I think a standard-action, non-belted-magnum 7mm cartridge that can come within 100fps of the 7mm Remington Magnum is a great idea, and I hope it picks up some more steam. I think CZ should take a serious look at it.

[idiotsayswhat]

My first rifle was a .270...  Great gun, super accurate, etc.  Just bleep expensive to shoot.  At 20 dollar average a box, like someone else said, I think most people choose to reload them. 

I think at this point in the game, .308 is just more common and has really similar ballistics for the average 200 - 300 yard hunter.  But the .270 is a heck of a lot of fun to shoot!

[Striper Sniper]

Will the .270 make hamburger meat out of white tail at short ranges like those we find in the north east? Say 50 to 100 yards?

[Skookum]

The .270 Win won't make hamburger out of big game, but in brushy terrain where shots aren't as long as in the mountain west the conventional wisdom in my day was a caliber that threw a bigger bullet was preferable (e.g., .30-06).

[pnwkiwi]

Had a Sako L61R Finnbear in .270 Win that I will always regret selling - high velocity, flat trajectory and super accurate in 130g.  Brilliant rifle ..

[KLR650]

Nothing is "wrong" with a .270 Win, but as a reloader I would go with a .280 Rem as it has more bullet choices and is a bit better in the ballistics. The .270 Win has more ammo choices on the shelves and you can get all the brass you need by looking down on the ground, at least around here in Montana where the .270 Win is extremely popular, probably #2 behind the .30-06 as a big game rifle.

The cartridge choices in the CZ 550 is rather limited compared to something like a Sako Model 85 or a Remington M-700. CZ recently dropped the 7x57mm Mauser, and it is a favorite of mine. Mine is deadly on mule deer, out to as far as I would ever dare take a shot.

[Der Verminator]

Don't let anybody kid you, the .270 is the best if you're buying ammo these days.

As already mentioned, the .280 may offer slightly more if you handload.

That's the way it is and always will be.

[Der Verminator]

The .270 Win won't make hamburger out of big game, but in brushy terrain where shots aren't as long as in the mountain west the conventional wisdom in my day was a caliber that threw a bigger bullet was preferable (e.g., .30-06).

If you hit them behind the shoulder it will make shred the lungs.

Won't bother you unless you eat lung.

If you hit them in the ham.......yeah, you'll destroy some meat.

Solution, hit them right.

[Skookum]

I took a peak at rifle ballistics tables for the first time in a long time because of this thread.  It was an interesting reminder of the reasoning behind my purchase of a .270 Win. in 1982.  In short, it is the flattest shooting North America big game non-magnum caliber, great for any such species except the big bears.