Who hates a .270 Winchester?
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And Then what HappenedIf that's all the good a .30-06 is gonna do ya, take a .243 next time.What you say is so true of course, good story. Which is really all the more reason to err on the side of "too large." To your point, last year's big 10+ point whitetail buck i heartshot with a .30-06 at 19 yards reared up on impact and as soon as his front feet hit the ground again he came straight at me.
did he Trample and Gore you with his massive Rack 
apparently you survived to tell the Story 
As far as I'm concerned, the 270 Winchester is one of the most under-rated cartridges. Why?, because most will say the 30'06 does everything better. While that may be the case, it's hard to beat the 270 as an all-around deer rifle...period! I only wish I could find one. Seems a classic 270 is hard to come by, especially with walnut and bluing for those that appreciate that in a hunting rifle.
It’s been said, under no uncertain terms, that a shotgun would have been a better tool for the job!If that's all the good a .30-06 is gonna do ya, take a .243 next time.
Obviously would have saved your life!
R.
The new sakos are down right beauty's.. 75s-85s whatever.
Then there's the Model 70... Just cos Jacks fave was it an the 270..makes sense.
A few walnut classics with blued steel around !!
Playtimefun
New member
- Location
- Saskatoon, SK
Sorry gents... I am going to say this... but I HATE... the 270. That being said I dont hate it as much as I took a three mule deer with a 270 (I do own 2 of them) and I destroyed more meat on those mule deer then EVERY one of my 300 magnums (and I own about 15 of those) combined!!!
Now was it the cartridges fault??? Absolutely not!!! I was using factory winchester 130 grain ammo in the Browning BAR and it turned out that bullets completed disintegrated inside the deer and became shrapnel everywhere.
After that... its just so tough to put trust in a cartridge. Now dont get me wrong. The deer went down instantly. But 2 were does and the other a good size buck and in all three cases their were fragments throughout.
So yeah... maybe I can't say hate because I've matured enough to know it wasnt the cartridges fault but... I lost ALL faith in it too. Ironically I have 25-06, 25-06 AI, 280, 280 AI and of course the 30-06. All except the 25-06 AI have taken game. Is there a difference? Really none. But once that confidence goes... its really hard to get it back.
Now was it the cartridges fault??? Absolutely not!!! I was using factory winchester 130 grain ammo in the Browning BAR and it turned out that bullets completed disintegrated inside the deer and became shrapnel everywhere.
After that... its just so tough to put trust in a cartridge. Now dont get me wrong. The deer went down instantly. But 2 were does and the other a good size buck and in all three cases their were fragments throughout.
So yeah... maybe I can't say hate because I've matured enough to know it wasnt the cartridges fault but... I lost ALL faith in it too. Ironically I have 25-06, 25-06 AI, 280, 280 AI and of course the 30-06. All except the 25-06 AI have taken game. Is there a difference? Really none. But once that confidence goes... its really hard to get it back.
I hear ya... sold the only .270 I owned because of lack of confidence too. More on the accuracy side than bullet performance in my case. Logic tells us that a given bullet at a given speed will perform the same regardless of what cartridge propelled it. I'm sure if you shot a few animals with a .270 but with ABLRs or TSXs you'd approve of the results. But confidence is a real thing.
The best cartridge for the job is always the one you shoot best, loaded with a bullet that can easily make it to, or through, the vitals. Even if the the angle is perfect, or if it end up hitting heavy bone. Which is most cartridges here with North American game, providing proper bullet selection, and realistic shot distances.
For whatever reason the 270 has virtually NO following in my area. A buddy of mine said he found some 30-06 cartridges in an elderly family members home and asked if I wanted them. I said sure. Well those 30-06 cartridges turned out to be 270's. I can't find anybody yet in the area to give them to. We're only talking like half a box but...still... don't want them wasted. The 270's appeal never caught on around Thunder Bay.
hunter-4-life
Regular
I wont lie, i've spent the last 20 mins typing out a whole heck'in essay to reply to this....but I remember what my Grandma taught me, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it all.
Dorian Gray
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Like most of you, I've got more hunting rifles than I need. And most rifles I've got can do what the others in the safe can do as well.
That being said, I really like the Tikka T3x rifles and have for about a decade. A dozen or so of them in various flavors have come and gone through my mitts in that time.
My problem is that I really like carbines. 18"-20" is my sweet spot. Which, in the Tikka line up, has me centered on the Battue models. If I had seen one chambered in .270 I definitely would have bought it. But I've only seen them for sale chambered in .308, 30-06 and 9.3x62.
So I went with 30-06 because all T3x are the same sized action. If a .270 had been offered, I'd had likely gone with it due to a flatter shooting cartridge.
To each their own. I pick the rifle first and then decide the cartridge it will fire. YMMV.
That being said, I really like the Tikka T3x rifles and have for about a decade. A dozen or so of them in various flavors have come and gone through my mitts in that time.
My problem is that I really like carbines. 18"-20" is my sweet spot. Which, in the Tikka line up, has me centered on the Battue models. If I had seen one chambered in .270 I definitely would have bought it. But I've only seen them for sale chambered in .308, 30-06 and 9.3x62.
So I went with 30-06 because all T3x are the same sized action. If a .270 had been offered, I'd had likely gone with it due to a flatter shooting cartridge.
To each their own. I pick the rifle first and then decide the cartridge it will fire. YMMV.
(Quote):
The .270 Winchester remains one of the most popular and enduring big-game hunting cartridges in North America, consistently ranking among the top best-sellers for rifle die sales (such as at RCBS) and overall ammunition production. (Quote)
The 30-06 and 270 Winchester, I believe, are still the two most popular calibers in North America. I've had a couple of 30 caliber bullets fragment with store bought ammo but still continue to use my 30 caliber rifles. I prefer to reload my own hunting ammo allowing me to load up or down with whatever bullet I choose.
A full load of 270 with a 130 gr bullet travelling 3100 fps hitting bone at 75 yards it may very well fragment but a 150 gr loaded down a tad entering behind the shoulder taking out the heart and lungs and existing the other side I doubt is a problem. I use both 130 gr and 150 gr but prefer the 150 gr.
The .270 Winchester remains one of the most popular and enduring big-game hunting cartridges in North America, consistently ranking among the top best-sellers for rifle die sales (such as at RCBS) and overall ammunition production. (Quote)
The 30-06 and 270 Winchester, I believe, are still the two most popular calibers in North America. I've had a couple of 30 caliber bullets fragment with store bought ammo but still continue to use my 30 caliber rifles. I prefer to reload my own hunting ammo allowing me to load up or down with whatever bullet I choose.
A full load of 270 with a 130 gr bullet travelling 3100 fps hitting bone at 75 yards it may very well fragment but a 150 gr loaded down a tad entering behind the shoulder taking out the heart and lungs and existing the other side I doubt is a problem. I use both 130 gr and 150 gr but prefer the 150 gr.
Something like this my Mauser 66 in 270
I’ve posted this before, and at the risk of boring some who may have already read it, here it is again.
My experience as a big game guide in the Yukon has been some of the most enjoyable and interesting times of my life. Have guided hunters from North and South America, Europe and Africa, and seen many different rifles and calibers arrive in camp.
Everything from the 243 Winchester to 375 Holland and Holland were used on sheep, goats, moose, caribou, black and grizzly bears, and it is my distinct impression that I saw more one shot kills with the 270 Winchester then any other cartridge.
Good shooting is easy off a bench at a range. Accuracy, reasonably light recoil, and flat shooting quickly adds up to success in the field. My experience.
Ted
My experience as a big game guide in the Yukon has been some of the most enjoyable and interesting times of my life. Have guided hunters from North and South America, Europe and Africa, and seen many different rifles and calibers arrive in camp.
Everything from the 243 Winchester to 375 Holland and Holland were used on sheep, goats, moose, caribou, black and grizzly bears, and it is my distinct impression that I saw more one shot kills with the 270 Winchester then any other cartridge.
Good shooting is easy off a bench at a range. Accuracy, reasonably light recoil, and flat shooting quickly adds up to success in the field. My experience.
Ted
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Playtimefun
New member
- Location
- Saskatoon, SK
Oh come on... wheres the fun in that lol. I definitely won't take offense especially since I have done the same thing on other discussions.
I knew what I was saying is somewhat offensive to some but like I said... I lost confidence in the cartridge. There is no real or true justification because it could have happened in any cartridge. But i didnt know/realize it at the time and i wasnt reloading for it at that time. And yes... I know its taken tons of animals etc. Its been around since 1925. The 303 British and 30-30 win have taken far more game then the 270. Are they superior then? Which of course not.
Why is the 0.277 caliber not more popular? I have a 270 WSM and its a flat shooting and deadly cartridge. The 270 Wby is around but getting harder to find. The 27 Nosler is out there but people generally pick the 26 or 28 Nosler instead. I know my 26 Nosler is a laser beam and in terms of flatness is only outshined slightly by my 257 Weatherby. My 28 Nosler is an awesome long range hunting gun. You have the 6.8 Western which should be the ultimate, yet somehow it didnt take off like it should have. Why does everyone do a 280 Ackley Improved but you seldom see the 270 version?
So again... why is the 0.277 diameter not more popular now?
And... I have no specific answers either lol.
Playtimefun
New member
- Location
- Saskatoon, SK
I agree totally. I am a massive fan of Barnes TTSX and LRX bullets and my second go to are the Accubonds.
I started life with an old tikka in 270.
Utterly charming rifle that belonged to my father in law.
My first rifle was i formed by this and i bought a stainless ruger m77 mkII in 270.
A nice rifle that I never liked. Far too barky for the trouble.
Personally, i have no need of a long cartridge and i loved my 7-08 far more. I also love my 243 and 308. Not to mention the polarizing 6.5 cdm.
Not gonna poo poo it but i have never seen the need.
The SA 6mm and 6.5mm family can do everything I need a cartridge to do.
In summary, for the OP, i am a thumbs down on the 270win. Its not for me but im not gonna judge any loyalists of it like i do the PRC crowd. Lol
Utterly charming rifle that belonged to my father in law.
My first rifle was i formed by this and i bought a stainless ruger m77 mkII in 270.
A nice rifle that I never liked. Far too barky for the trouble.
Personally, i have no need of a long cartridge and i loved my 7-08 far more. I also love my 243 and 308. Not to mention the polarizing 6.5 cdm.
Not gonna poo poo it but i have never seen the need.
The SA 6mm and 6.5mm family can do everything I need a cartridge to do.
In summary, for the OP, i am a thumbs down on the 270win. Its not for me but im not gonna judge any loyalists of it like i do the PRC crowd. Lol
hunter-4-life
Regular
What I had typed out definitely wasn’t offensive. I mean, I may have mentioned that typically guys that prefer 300’s to hunt deer are usually driving a lifted dodge, tow mirrors out, white Oakleys on and wearing their affliction shirts but that’s not the point.
I’m glad you realized that bullet selection has a lot to do with meat damage….so what I gathered was that you don’t like the factory Winchester ammo. But I was, actually I am still trying to figure out the whole lack of confidence statement.
Basically all I had said was I really can’t wrap my head around the fact that you took 3 deer, all 1 shot kills, you didn’t have to turn them into Swiss cheese….and yet still lost confidence in a cartridge due to….meat damage…..then proceeded to say that you prefer the 300’s….
I’ve field dressed and skinned hundreds of deer in my time between what my friends, family and myself have taken over the years with both 270’s and 300’s (win mags, WSM’s) and both using every bullet from federal blue box, core-lokts, TTSX, accubonds, to Berger’s and everything in between. Not once…even after drilling a deer square in the shoulder, or a textbook double lung shot with both a 300 and a 270 have I ever have I said or thought “man this 270 ruined way more meat than the 300 ever does”
Now I understand losing confidence in a something like when you miss a deer 3 times and the next day your buddy hands you his rifle and says “try this thing out” and you fold one up faster than Rosie O’Donnel sitting on a plastic lawn chair from Dollarama. I can bet you won’t want to use your rifle again, you’ll go buy what he has, even if it’s the same cartridge as yours, if he has a Tikka, and you have a Remington, your a big Tikka guy now, ya know?
I’m genuinely not trying to make someone like, love or even hate the 270 win. It’s literally whatever floats your boat. I have just never in my life heard, read or talked to someone who has no confidence in a cartridge that made a fast, clean and effective kill on the spot due to too much meat damage.
The whole 0.277 popularity thing is, in my opinion the whole ballistic coefficient bug has bit everyone. When you see an ad for ammo, bullets or these new cartridges these days, what do you see? “Introducing the 6.5 DoesEverythingBetter. The newest, fastest, flattest, highest BC bullet on the market. Coming soon to a rifle near you!” You know? Guys get interested, see that it’s a whopping 2” flatter shooting at 500 yards even though they’ve never shot anything at 500 yards and then go buy it cause it looks cool.
