.270?

[Tryin']

Is the venerable .270 a contender for an accurate rifle? I am deciding between it and the .308 for *precision* build. . . The .300 Win Mag is out. . .

I have yet to find a store that carries ammo who does not have .270; generally in stock. I have not found that to be the case with .308, if they even carry it.

Price is pretty close to a wash, although if I go through with this, It'll push me over the brink of handloading. . .

Anyway, your experience?

 

[42769vette]

308 is alot easier to get match bullets for and load info on. everyone has done so much testing on the 308 there is tons of info on it

 

[Tryin']

That is the main argument I have been hearing, although I have heard it argued that the .270 has superior ballistics. . .I REALLY don't have much experience in the centerfire rifle world

I guess I am always wanting to be different. . .

Thank you!

 

[IndyMonkey]

If your building a precision gun why would it matter what you can buy off the shelf? You should compete the package and do your own loads.

If you want to be different do what I did....280 Ackley.

 

[l c gun guy]

Go with the 308 you will have more types and weights of bulles and the 308 will probibly do anything the 270 wood do.

 

[42769vette]

That is the main argument I have been hearing, although I have heard it argued that the .270 has superior ballistics. . .I REALLY don't have much experience in the centerfire rifle world

I guess I am always wanting to be different. . .

Thank you!

i shoot a 260 (308 necked down) and imo it has superior ballistics. but its more difficult to find info and components for. i shoot a 142 smk at 2760 but have loaded it up to 2850 with no pressure. it just shoots 2760 better. this is with a 28 in tube.

ive never done much research on the 270 but i dont recall alot of extreamly high bc bullets for that cal. you can tell alot about a caliber by the bullets that are made for it. my biggest problem with the 260 is lapua does not make brass for it. they push there 6.5x47. if you want lapua brass you have to size 243,7-08,or 308

i know i haven't given much 270 info but ive not done alot of research on it. but if you want the best accuracy out of either caliber you have to load your own

 

[Tryin']

Thank you, fellows! It is not a taticool rifle per say, just a more accurate than usual firearm to be used on paper AND game. (not in Indiana) If the .308 does it all, that's fine with me, more options that way for sure. The .270 just seemed to be more readily available off the rack, if need be, and I had *heard* provided superior terminal ballistics to the .308

 

[rimfire_crazed]

.270 will definitely outperform .308 on-game out past 300 yards.

You're really comparing two different classes of cartridge. .270 is better compared to .30-06 and 7mm Remington mag.

If you're wanting to reach out and touch stuff at 500 on the cheap, the long action cartridges are right up your alley. If you're wanting to shoot one-hole groups at 100 or 200 yards, .308 is your best friend.

 

[kludge]

What's your definition of precision? What's the intended range?

If it's a .270 caliber you're looking for and want precision, I would suggest you also look at the 7mm-08 or a .284 Winchester. The former is very popular, and ammo is available. The latter is seeing some resurgence with long range shooters, but you won't likely find any on the shelves at WalMart. .30-06, .308, .270, .223, 7mm Mag, .243 will likely all be there.

And if you want precision you'll either have to spend a fortune of handload.

If you're looking for a bench gun, both the .270 and the .308 have too much recoil for my tastes for long range sessions... something with a lighter bullet will let you shoot more... like something in the 6mm-6.5mm range (.243" - .257"). I shot 20 rounds of .308 yesterday and I have a slight bruise on my shoulder today (and it's a heavy barrel savage with an extra 12 oz. of steel inside the stock). But it is very satisfying.

The .257 Roberts and the 6.5mm Swede are both great, accurate, multi-purpose cartridges. The .270 and 7mm-08 are great if big game is on your list and longer ranges are in order, and are less punishing than the .308 and .30-06, but the 30 cal's are popular for good reason.

 

[Tryin']

My person desire for "precision" would be in the 1/2 - 1MOA range, definitely not a bench rifle
by anyones standards. . . Frankly, I'm doing dang good to hold that well, even off a bench. . . More thinking to do. . .

 

[42769vette]

another feather in the 308 hat to consider is the 308 will usually have better resale especially in a remington 700. and if you get tired of the 308 or wear it out (they have amazing barrel life) you can just rebarrel to another caliber like the 7-08. there are a ton of calibers on the 308 bolt face to chose from

 

[Tryin']

Hmm, had not considered rebarreling further down the road. . .

Meh, I'll probably go with the .308

Now, Remington, Savage, Howa, ? *goes to test search-fu*

 

[ruger7722]

i have a very accurate 270 win..its very consistant.under moa.i need to shoot it ,havent had it out in a couple years.last couple bucks i used 223 and 243.i would put mine up against anyones 308 or 270 for 3 shot groups.both cal.s are great

 

[42769vette]

Hmm, had not considered rebarreling further down the road. . .

Meh, I'll probably go with the .308

Now, Remington, Savage, Howa, ? *goes to test search-fu*

out of those 3 i would go with the savage or remington.

the savage will probably be more accurate out of the box, but the remington will probably have more potential if you want to dump alot of money in it. also the remington is better if you want to find used aftermarket parts.

another one to cheak out is the tc venture. its garenteed to be sub moa out of the box for 450 bucks. i bought one in 243 and have had it for about 2 weeks and have not even loaded ammo for it yet. (im ashamed to admit that) but the rifle looks good and feels good. all ive done is mounted a scope.

the only problem ive found with the venture is it comes with weaver bases and noone makes a better base that ive found for the rifle.

if aftermarket accessories are in your future id still go with the rem. if not i chose the venture over the savage due to the price and garentee.

 

[smokingman]

Go with the 308 you will have more types and weights of bulles and the 308 will probibly do anything the 270 wood do.

I disagree.There may be more "match" type ammo around but the 270 has everything from an 85 grain to 180 grain.I also think it is a superior round to the 308.Look at any ballistic chart and you can see the difference in FTlbs on target.The 270 will beat the 308 out to 800 yards hands down.The trajectory of the 270 is also much flatter,and out to 400 yards much more forgiving than a 308.
Bullet Drop from line of bore (at 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 yards)
7.62 NATO 308 (168 grains @ 2700 FPS): -2.37, -10.23, -24.47, -46.14, -76.53
270 Win. (150 grains @ 3000 FPS):........... -1.90, -8.22, -19.63, -36.92, -61.05
Kinetic Energy in Ft-Pounds (Muzzle, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 yards)
7.62 NATO 308 (168 grains @ 2700 FPS): 2719, 2355, 2030, 1742, 1486, 1261
.270 Win. (150 grains @ 3000 FPS):........ 2997, 2618, 2273, 1965, 1690, 1446

Neither are a bad round,but with the 270 you can hunt nearly any game in North America.If you plan to hunt I would go with the 270.If you plan to punch paper I would go with the 308(not that there is no hunting ammo for it,but it is not as versatile in my opinion).

 

[w_ADAM_d88]

IMO--as far as an out of the box rifle, Savage is tough to beat. I have a savage .270 with the accu-trigger and at 100yrds shooting off a bench I can put rounds threw the same hole time after time.

 

[buford t justice]

I bought both my sons howa 1500 rifles last christmas in 270 win and they shoot 3/4 in groups at 100 yds out of the box

 

[sloughfoot]

Just so it is said at least once here, the 270 is a long action cartridge and the 308 is a short action cartridge. It makes a big difference with the weight and balance of the finished rifle. (The 308 is favored IMO)

I own both in several different configurations. (hunting/target)

The 270 is obsolete and the 308 is not far behind it. Everything the 270 can do, the 30.06 is better. It isn't 1925 anymore and Jack whatshisname is long gone. Stomping on his grave I know, but I believe it. Time has moved on.

Given your two choices, I vote for the 308.

But I would urge you to also consider other choices, like the 260 for example.

 

[jeep911]

i hunt my farm in KY witn my .270 and love it to death, great on deer great to shoot not too expensive to shoot unless ur sendin thousands of rounds down range every weekend. over all i love it, ballistics arent bad either

 

[back40hunter]

I am a huge fan of a .270 for western hunting, such as mule deer and antelope. The availability of different bullet weights make the .308 a very accurate round. Both are really fun to shoot.