The 270 Winchester and old myths.

W

Why not?

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I submitted the following post in a thread recently, where a member had posted an old myth about the 270 Win:

Why not? said:
Well, Kelly, since you brought up this old and mistaken argument about lack of selection and easy availability in 270 cal bullets, a person can cover all those bases with at least nine bullet weights that are readily available for the 270: 90, 100, 110, 115, 130, 135, 140, 150, and 160g, in everything from hollow point varmint bullets, through match bullets, and on to Nosler Partitions.

When you consider that these various weights are available from at least four different manufacturers, the number becomes more than twenty available bullets. That still leaves all the monolithic copper bullets. Does anyone really need "a wider range and easier time finding components" than that? :)

Since 1962, I have loaded for and used 90 gr, 100, 130, 150, and 160 gr, on everything from groundhogs to grizzlies, and never had a moments concern.

Best,
Ted
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Amazingly, there was no response. It seems that every time this is pointed out to detractors of the 270 Win, there is never an answer. I am wondering if the guys who post such stuff have ever used the 270 on game, or are just repeating what they have heard over the years?

Really, when it comes right down to where the rubber meets the road, the 270 Win is such a fine performer on game, that even if there were only half the bullets available, that would still be enough to cover all the bases. This is true, of course, of most cartridge selections.


With regards to its effectiveness on truly big game, here’s another post that received no response:

Why not? said:
I have had quite a few 7mm mags, but sold them all. The 270 is more than enough for deer, moose, and bear, all of which I have put away handily with this cartridge over the years, so that continues to be my choice.

Ted
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In more than 40 years of using the 270, in have rarely needed a second shot. And, not just myself, but I know several guys whose experience is the same with this ancient old cartridge. My neigbour is one, who uses nothing but factory 150 gr loads for years. A good friend of mine decked a huge grizzly, while on a caribou hunt two years ago, with a single 130 gr Nosler Partition in the lungs, and this not being the first time he has done so.

Again, I wonder how many guys who perpetuate these myths have ever actually used the cartridge?

Ted
 
It's simply a very versatile cartridge, capable for use for all North American game save the large bears, and that irks some people.
 
You raise a lot of interesting points. I have two 270s at home and they have worked brilliantly. I have used 110 grain V-Maxs, 130 grain Core-Lokts, 140 grain Partition and 150 grain Partitions when hunting. In fact they have worked so well I might actually sell my .35 Whelen.

Other rounds may offer more bullet diameter, weight or energy. However, it seems to me that when I place a good .270 bullet where it should go, vital tissue is destroyed and the animal dies promptly. The .270 offers a remarkable balance of power, trajectory and moderate recoil.
 
I traded in my 7 mag for a .270 a couple years ago. The new .270 has accounted for 4 deer in two hunting seasons, one shot each. I'm taking deer at much greater distances now than I ever could have with my 7 mag because I actually enjoy getting out the range, and my marksmanship has greatly improved as a result.
 
Myths and old-wives tales abound.

Sort of related to your post on the Savage 340 in 30-30, i recently acquired one for a friend, who was convinced that the 30-30 was the ultimate deer killer. Not that it wouldn't kill deer of course, but any counsel trying to direct him to a more modern cartridge/rifle combo just wouldn't be heard.

And how about that myth about stainless steel guns rusting? Try and get someone to post picture of a pitted stainless steel gun.
 
Ted, I haven't had as much experience with the 270 that you have, but I have killed moose, elk, goat, caribou, deer and a wolf with it. I found the bullet to be much more important than with, say, the 30-06. I started out with ordinary, run of the mill 130 grain bullets. Got a quick shot at a bull elk in the bush. Elk ran off, no blood, no snow. I looked, and looked, and looked, because those cross hairs were right on the money when it fired. To make matters worse, it was a dull, overcast day. Finally, found the dead bull. The bullet had exploded before it even got to the ribs. One piece of twisted jacket had cut a little slit in a main artery from the heart.
Had a similar experience with 150 grain bullet on a goat. Wasn't even happy with ordinary bullets on deer.
Went to 150 grain Nosler partition. An angling shot on an elk and bang flop. Bullet was on the far hide, expanded just like it was supposed to.
My descission on a 270 is never mind all the various bullet types and weights, just use a premium 150 grain for all big game hunting.
I once did considerable testing of the 270 at ranges to 500 yards, using several bullets and loadings. I always checked the sighting at 100 yards to be about 2½ inches high. The least drop at 500 yards, 26 inches, was with 130 grain pointed bullets and a good charge of Norma 205. But pointed 150 grain bullets, with 2 grains less 205, was only 28 inches low. And by the way, my Sako was well bedded, so it shot either weight of any type bullet equally well. My groups at 500 yards ran from a low of 5½ inches to around 8 inches.
Thus a good 150 grain bullet, like the Nosler, would be ideal for the mountains, as well as in the bush. The only bullet one would need.
 
I think the argument for lack of bullet options only comes up for Match grade type bullets that hunters would not be using anyways. As far as Options go from the standpoint of a confirmed 270 user I could not be happier.
 
Over the years since I really got into many of the aspects of shooting and hunting, my main author of choice has been and still is Elmer Keith. It seems that he and Jack O'Connor were quite often, in disagreement and at odds. Although a fan of Keith, I know the 270 Win was one of Jacks favorites and I have a lot of respect for Jacks experience and accomplishments. In addition, I had an uncle that had some long range shooting 'involvement' in Europe during WW II and his 'go to' rifle was a Husqvarna in 270 Win. With that in mind and looking at my assortment of hunting rifle calibers, a void has been noticeable, until recently;). No 270 Win. So, when the opportunity came about to acquire a nice Husqvarna in 270 from a gentleman 'up north', I went for it.

Husqvarnamodel3000270Win.jpg


I look forward to trying it out on Deer and it's in the running to get the call if/when I get my Antelope draw in AB. I have a selection of 130gr and 150gr Sierra BT bullets to try out in it but shortly thereafter the plan is to go with 130gr Barnes TTSX for hunting.
 
I actually think the old myth is that is is a great cartridge.

It's kind of flat shooting, but not really.
It's kind of hard hitting, but not really.
It has mild recoil, but not really for the above results.

It's in too heavy in recoil to be considered with light cartridges like the 6.5 swede or 257 Bob, it's not really hard hitting like a full jam 30-06 load with similar recoil, and it's not really all that flat like a 257 roy or even a 25-06.

I just think you mediocre everything for your money with the 270.
 
martinbns said:
I actually think the old myth is that is is a great cartridge.

It's kind of flat shooting, but not really.
It's kind of hard hitting, but not really.
It has mild recoil, but not really for the above results.

It's in too heavy in recoil to be considered with light cartridges like the 6.5 swede or 257 Bob, it's not really hard hitting like a full jam 30-06 load with similar recoil, and it's not really all that flat like a 257 roy or even a 25-06.

I just think you mediocre everything for your money with the 270.
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I think, via your criticism, indirectly what you've accomplished is to define a great all-round cartridge and caliber:).
 
The only "Myth" that i am aware of is the old "Flat Shoot'n" one.

When I was 15 I bought my self a brand new 270 rifle. I chose the 270 because it was "Flat Shoot'n"

Man, I could shoot WAY out there with it because my rifle was "Flat Shoot'n". 3" high at 100 would be 3" low at 300. The 30-06 was not as "Flat Shoot'n"


Everyone told me the 270 was "Flat Shoot'n" so I believed it.
 
My first rifle was a .270, killed EVERTHING with one shot, from wolf to moose, 80yds to 425yds. Now My friend and neighbor owns and uses it, with similar results. I have since graduated to the 7x57, simply because I prefer something a little less common and a little older.
 
senior said:
Normally you have to pass an IQ test....but for you...
there you go :D
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=544399
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Oh right....someone trying to get rid of a used one.

I meant off the shelf....

Poor Cartridge never had a chance....mostly bad timing I guess.


280 remington......didnt' sell....lets try 7mm express.....didnt sell either and was confusing....lets try 280 remington again.....dang still not selling.....lets throw away the reamers and keep selling Rifles in 270 win:p

anyways....enough Hijacking.
 
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