Explain this: 270 wins the poll

[CoElkHunter]

I think availability makes certain cartridges practical choices.
It’s a readily available flat shooting cartridge with a long history.
Some of the modern flat shooters have better external ballistics but existing cartridges still have the runs on the board.

You are right about "availability". Depending on where you live, the availability of factory ammo and/or cases to reload make all the difference IMO.

 

[sgt_zim]

I think availability makes certain cartridges practical choices.
It’s a readily available flat shooting cartridge with a long history.
Some of the modern flat shooters have better external ballistics but existing cartridges still have the runs on the board.

Everything is flat to 300 yards.

On a 200 yard zero, there's 1" of difference between a 150 gr partition out of a 270 at 2900 fps vs a 140 gr partition out of a 6.5CM at 2700 fps.

 

[TOBY458]

Until you get to 30 caliber, is there really a big game cartridge made that does anything that a 270 won’t do under most normal hunting conditions? I think if we’re honest with ourselves, most of us have no business shooting at big game much past 400 yds from a field position. That said, a 270 will do anything that’s needed within that range. Sure, some of the more modern calibers may shoot slightly flatter at really long range. Some may offer slightly heavier bullets at the same velocity. But with today’s excellent bullet choices, there’s just not a medium sized game animal you can shoot that a 270 won’t handle.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Until you get to 30 caliber, is there really a big game cartridge made that does anything that a 270 won’t do under most normal hunting conditions? I think if we’re honest with ourselves, most of us have no business shooting at big game much past 400 yds from a field position. That said, a 270 will do anything that’s needed within that range. Sure, some of the more modern calibers may shoot slightly flatter at really long range. Some may offer slightly heavier bullets at the same velocity. But with today’s excellent bullet choices, there’s just not a medium sized game animal you can shoot that a 270 won’t handle.

“under most normal hunting conditions” and I would add “at normal hunting distances”. You know, before the “magnum” cartridges became popular and a buzzword probably starting in the ‘60s, the vast majority of big game were taken with “standard” cartridges. From moose to elk to whitetail, they were all shot with many years old cartridges. What changed? Marketing of the magnums? Bigger is better philosophy? An attempt to gain an advantage over the game hunted? Same with scopes really. 4x fixed scopes to umpteen powered variable scopes with CDS and other capabilities? I don’t know and I’m as guilty as the next person at least with regards to the magnums. I guess as technology advances in other aspects of our lives, it does too with the “tools” we hunt animals with. Although, a wise AH member awhile back told me he thought WE as hunters were using a lot more cartridge than was necessary for the game hunted in many circumstances. The hunters of yore would probably agree and maybe he’s right? Something to ponder anyway. Either way, I’m still clinging to my .338 Winchester Magnum for elk. LOL

 

[sgt_zim]

Until you get to 30 caliber, is there really a big game cartridge made that does anything that a 270 won’t do under most normal hunting conditions? I think if we’re honest with ourselves, most of us have no business shooting at big game much past 400 yds from a field position. That said, a 270 will do anything that’s needed within that range. Sure, some of the more modern calibers may shoot slightly flatter at really long range. Some may offer slightly heavier bullets at the same velocity. But with today’s excellent bullet choices, there’s just not a medium sized game animal you can shoot that a 270 won’t handle.

All else being relatively equal, I'd rather go after big animals with 175 - 200 or even 225 gr pills, so 7mm/30 cal/33 cal. YMMV

 

[TOBY458]

All else being relatively equal, I'd rather go after big animals with 175 - 200 or even 225 gr pills, so 7mm/30 cal/33 cal. YMMV

I agree. But on medium sized game, which the majority of hunters hunt, I don’t really see the advantage of any of the larger calibers above a 270.

 

[MS 9x56]

I really don’t understand why bullet makers don’t provide a .277 bullet in 170 or 175 grain weight?

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

I really don’t understand why bullet makers don’t provide a .277 bullet in 170 or 175 grain weight?

My understanding is that the twist on most 270 win barrels won’t stabilize bullets over 150 grains very well.

I think it may exist but I’ve never even seen 160 gr ammo for sale.

 

[TERMINATOR]

Sure, some of the more modern calibers may shoot slightly flatter at really long range. Some may offer slightly heavier bullets at the same velocity.

At a cost of noticeably more recoil. For some...that's no issue. For others, their shooting degrades.

 

[Muskox]

Spoiler Alert: If you plan on watching the 17-minute video & want to be surprised, don't look at the screenshot below.

I've always been fond of opinion-based comparisons (e.g. "Pick your favorite...", "What's your top 3...?", etc.) just because I'm curious what other hunters favor & why. I've enjoy Jim Harmer's videos before but because he lives in the open country of Idaho & I'm mostly hunting in the thickets of Arkansas & Mississippi, the content of his channel is often geared towards a different audience. And it shows in the cartridges chosen. With two Top-10 lists and 20 chances to have a match, I only managed to have one of my 11 cartridges appear in the viewer's list: The 30-06. The 270 Win clobbered the rest of the list with 20% of the vote. His comparison of it against the 6.5 PRC at the end of the video was interesting.

View attachment 708541

I would be happy with Jim's list our the public's list. Not a dud in any of those.

Here are my 10, in no order.

300 Winchester fast all arounder
340 Weatherby/338 Lapua nice to have a very long range big bullet gun
6.5 Creedmoor easy shooter
6.5 PRC fast easy shooter
7mm PRC/7mm Rem Mag/ 280 Ackley. 95% of everything you need
7x57/7mm-08 easier shooting version of above
22 Creedmoor just awesome for no recoil cartridge that really kills well under 300 yards
6mm Creedmoor same as above with more bullet
25-06/257 weatherby same as above with more speed and bullet
308/30-06/8x57 classic everything all rounders

 

[Wyatt Smith]

My understanding is that the twist on most 270 win barrels won’t stabilize bullets over 150 grains very well.

I think it may exist but I’ve never even seen 160 gr ammo for sale.

Nosler sells a 160 partition and have for many years. I’m not sure it was ever offered factory loaded however.

 

[TOBY458]

I really don’t understand why bullet makers don’t provide a .277 bullet in 170 or 175 grain weight?

Barrel twist rate is normally 1:10. If they went to 1:8 it would allow them to load longer bullets. But for deer/elk sized game, I imagine a 140-160gr is all you would need.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I think you meant the 280 (280 Remington)??

Cheers! Bob F.

@BFaucett
Yes definitely meant the 280.
Bob

 

[BFaucett]

Nosler sells a 160 partition and have for many years. I’m not sure it was ever offered factory loaded however.

Some heavy .277" bullets
Just a quick look around on the web by me. NOT meant to be a definitive list.

Nosler
160 gr Partition ; BC = .434 , SD = .298
165 gr AccuBond Long Range ; BC = .620 , SD = .307 (Nosler note: Requires a Minimum 1-9" Twist)
170 gr Ballistic Tip Hunting ; BC = .560 , SD = .317 (Nosler note: This bullet requires 1-8" barrel twist)

Sierra
175 gr Tipped Game King ; BC = 560 , SD = .326 (Sierra note: 1-8” or faster twist rate to stabilize.)

Woodleigh
180 gr PP SP ; BC = .513 , SD = .334 (I didn't see Woodleigh mention a twist rate.)

This is one of the main reasons that I chose the .280 Remington instead of the .270 Winchester. I just wanted to be able to use 175 gr bullets if I ever desired to do so. I'm mainly thinking about African bushveld or American "brush country" hunting here. (And, also because I think that the .280 Rem makes a good substitute for the 7x57 and 7x64 plus the .275 H&H Magnum and .280 Jeffery. See my post above about my Ruger M77 Mk II in .280 Remington.)

Just my two cents... Cheers! Bob F.

Cartridge drawings are from the Hornady 11th Edition Handbook of Cartridge Reloading (Kindle edition).

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Nosler sells a 160 partition and have for many years. I’m not sure it was ever offered factory loaded however.

@Wyatt Smith
Woodleigh make a nice bonded 160gn round nose for the 270 as well
Bob

 

[BFaucett]

@Wyatt Smith
Woodleigh make a nice bonded 160gn round nose for the 270 as well
Bob

It's not in their current catalog as far as I can tell.

link: https://www.woodleighbullets.com.au/bullet-lists/traditional/264-333-list

They do list a 6.5mm/.264" 160 gr RN SN.

Cheers! Bob F.

 

[TERMINATOR]

@BFaucett
Yes definitely meant the 280.
Bob

One of my dream guns is a .280 A.I.

 

[Sarg]

Some heavy .277" bullets
Just a quick look around on the web by me. NOT meant to be a definitive list.

Nosler
160 gr Partition ; BC = .434 , SD = .298
165 gr AccuBond Long Range ; BC = .620 , SD = .307 (Nosler note: Requires a Minimum 1-9" Twist)
170 gr Ballistic Tip Hunting ; BC = .560 , SD = .317 (Nosler note: This bullet requires 1-8" barrel twist)

Sierra
175 gr Tipped Game King ; BC = 560 , SD = .326 (Sierra note: 1-8” or faster twist rate to stabilize.)

Woodleigh
180 gr PP SP ; BC = .513 , SD = .334 (I didn't see Woodleigh mention a twist rate.)

This is one of the main reasons that I chose the .280 Remington instead of the .270 Winchester. I just wanted to be able to use 175 gr bullets if I ever desired to do so. I'm mainly thinking about African bushveld or American "brush country" hunting here. (And, also because I think that the .280 Rem makes a good substitute for the 7x57 and 7x64 plus the .275 H&H Magnum and .280 Jeffery. See my post above about my Ruger M77 Mk II in .280 Remington.)

Just my two cents... Cheers! Bob F.


View attachment 709885

Cartridge drawings are from the Hornady 11th Edition Handbook of Cartridge Reloading (Kindle edition).

Was going to say I know at least 175gr are made & I used 170gr Speers in my old girl, she shot nice tight groups to with them & only had standard twist rate, not sure if unstable in the animal but worked !

If they did make a faster twist barrel I would be more comfortable using it on bigger game, with heavier bullets, still can’t beat a 30/06 to me lol

100gr to 250gr

 

[BFaucett]

Was going to say I know at least 175gr are made & I used 170gr Speers in my old girl, she shot nice tight groups to with them & only had standard twist rate, not sure if unstable in the animal but worked !

If they did make a faster twist barrel I would be more comfortable using it on bigger game, with heavier bullets, still can’t beat a 30/06 to me lol

100gr to 250gr

Oh, I'm a BIG fan of the .30-06 Springfield.

Ruger M77 Mk II .30-06 Springfield
handload: 220 gr Woodleigh RN at 2460 fps

Osa Johnson, a celebrated filmmaker, author, and adventuress from the 1920s and ’30s, is shown with her Griffin & Howe Springfield .30-’06 Sprg. on one of her many safaris, during which she guarded her husband, Martin, while he filmed African wildlife. On at least three occasions, she saved his life by killing charging animals. She also supplied meat for the camp, often using this rifle.
source: https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/griffin-howe-100-years-of-adventure-in-the-making/

Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum
Chanute, Kansas
link: https://safarimuseum.com

Safari Museum in Kansas - Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum

Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum featuring exhibits, including cultural heritage and Visual History collection resources. Tap for

safarimuseum.com

Osa Johnson's 9.3x62

AH thread: https://www.africahunting.com/threads/osa-johnsons-9-3x62.91803/

Cheers! Bob F.

 

[BFaucett]

I couldn't resist adding one more photo.

Osa takes a lion with her custom 1903 Springfield in .30-06, often providing safety for her husband Martin who was filming the wildlife. (Photo Credit: Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum)

From:

Osa Johnson: Always in the Thick of It
by Holly Marcus posted on March 17, 2021
News, Lifestyle, Profiles | NRA Women
source: https://www.nrawomen.com/content/osa-johnson-always-in-the-thick-of-it

Cheers! Bob F.