Custom Short Barrel .270 Win for a bush gun????

[Boomer]

One way to maximize velocity from a small bore with a short barrel is answered in part by the choice of a heavy for caliber bullet. The 160 gr Partition comes to mind as does the 180 gr Woodleigh, although I discovered that the 180 will not stabilize in a 1:10 twist. If your rifle is a full custom job though, you could specify a 1:8 twist. A pal of mine once owned a 20" SAKO full stock carbine in .270 (which I considered a mistake) but despite my prejudices, he got quite respectable velocities with 130s if the Chrony was to be believed. The key though is not to worry so much about how much velocity you loose through the choice of a short barrel, the critical factor is if there is enough velocity to do that which you intend to do. A medium to heavy weight .277" bullet that has a muzzle velocity of 2600 fps, will still shoot flat enough over typical hunting ranges, and will impact with enough force to expand the bullet, penetrate deeply, and kill medium to large North American big game humanely.

 

[Slaymoar]

+1 to the above.

Personally, I'd just go with a Win 94 carbine or Marlin 336 in .30-30. If it's not a range toy then reloading for it is not an issue since ammo volume is not a concern. Factory ammo for the .30-30 doesn't break the bank & is available virtually anywhere that sells ammo.


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NAA.

Yeah I was just thinking that. Although I do suffer from the side effects of "Lever Fever" enduced bias, I would totally rock the 30-30 for this application. I don't think anything is better for what you describe.

Although the OAL of the average 20" barreled 30/30 is 38-40", it still handles and feels like it is a lot smaller. It is streamlined, doesn't have much that will catch on branches and is a well balanced rifle that will shoulder naturally. It won't break the bank as you can grab a brand new quality one for $400-500, or a great functionning used one for $300-600 depending on what you want.

Best of all, you don't have to modify anything on it other than if you want to fit it. Personally adding a sling and a scope are all I need to do, however for your applications the scope is overkill. Maybe a ghost ring iron sight would be perfect.

And, if you still wish to reload, there are many awesome 30-30 variations out there for all kinds of different applications.

 

[mlehtovaara]

Two problems with the 30-30 option as I see it.

1 - The typical sights on em suck. Yes I can replace em, and I am tempted to go with a Ghost ring style sight.

2 - The new options out there just don't impress me for the money. The cheap options just don't impress me. Newer Marlins scare me, and having bought a lever with cycling issues previously I am not really interested in used.

 

[mlehtovaara]

I just got an email back from Casey at Tacord, and he is quoting me $100 for a good set of irons, and $120 to cut crown and install the sights.

That sounds like a hell of a deal!

If I can find a cheap donor like an Axis I'm only in this for around $600.

 

[SuperCub]

What about a Remington 760? Cut it back to 20" and they handle pretty well. I've done it a couple times. They already come with sights, so you need to just move back the front sight after the bbl get cut.

 

[hoytcanon]

I just got an email back from Casey at Tacord, and he is quoting me $100 for a good set of irons, and $120 to cut crown and install the sights.

That sounds like a hell of a deal!

If I can find a cheap donor like an Axis I'm only in this for around $600.

Twere it me, I'd be looking for a Mauser action in .270 for your donor... Trade Ex has them and as cheap or cheaper than the Axis... And a hell of a lot better gun... Shorty it and add your Boyd's, or better yet, just strip the stock and refinsh with stain of your choice and Tru-Oil or just Tru-Oil... Easy to do and looks great... Just takes a little elbow grease.

 

[Slaymoar]

Two problems with the 30-30 option as I see it.

1 - The typical sights on em suck. Yes I can replace em, and I am tempted to go with a Ghost ring style sight.

2 - The new options out there just don't impress me for the money. The cheap options just don't impress me. Newer Marlins scare me, and having bought a lever with cycling issues previously I am not really interested in used.

Fair enough.. Its not for everybody, but pretty DAMNED close lol.

 

[mlehtovaara]

Twere it me, I'd be looking for a Mauser action in .270 for your donor... Trade Ex has them and as cheap or cheaper than the Axis... And a hell of a lot better gun... Shorty it and add your Boyd's, or better yet, just strip the stock and refinsh with stain of your choice and Tru-Oil or just Tru-Oil... Easy to do and looks great... Just takes a little elbow grease.

Been there and done that. Fixed up an old sportered swede awhile back, and used it one season.

My reason for not going the Mauser route is the weight, and lack of a detachable mag.

Savage 110 just went up for $350. Only need to convince the wife.....

 

[hoytcanon]

Been there and done that. Fixed up an old sportered swede awhile back, and used it one season.

My reason for not going the Mauser route is the weight, and lack of a detachable mag.

Savage 110 just went up for $350. Only need to convince the wife.....

Then I won't recommend an 8X57 shorty Mauser... Which a always that a particularly fine bush gun.

 

[Scanner_66]

Similar idea I have for a different reasons, I am picking up a M700 ADL carbine in 243, dropping it into a Boyds shortened stock with SPS DM bottom metal. I will use that for a tree stand and blind rifle for in the woods and use the 270 WSM for the field shooting...I am doing it because I was sitting in the tree stand bow hunting when the idea popped into my head and seemed fun..do it your way and enjoy it.