Ruger African 270 Win. Range Report

[Bill J H]

A quick range report for my new Ruger African 270.

First, 99% of my rifles have free floating barrels, and this new Ruger does not. It has pressure on the bottom of the barrel near the end of the forestock and touches slightly on the sides nearer the chamber. I know that many Rugers are supposed to be like this, but as a free floating man, it seems foreign to me.

However, since this gun came that way from the factory and since it is the way many folks keep their Rugers, I thought I'd give it a whirl "as is".

I mounted a Swarovski 3-10x on it so I could be precise in grouping.

I just used my "already" loaded handloads that my Sako 270 loves: 140gr AB, 52gr H-4350, COAL 3.253. The 22" barreled Sako launches these at 2875 fps and they are pleasant to shoot.

I bore sighted at 25yds; fired one shot at 50 to foul the barrel and see where it hit; then made a slight adjustment to better center it and fired another to check. Its pretty warm today and I'm only wanting so see if it"ll group, so to keep the barrel cooler, I didn't shoot any more.

I then shot the attached target at 100yds, letting the barrel cool about 3-5 minutes between shots.

The result, a true .25" 3-shot group. To say I'm happy with this group, is an understatement. I tailor made the load for the Sako and just hoped the Ruger wouldn't "throw up" when I fed them to it

The gun performed flawlessly in all aspects, i.e., trigger, cycling, etc.

Now, I think I'll wait on the floating and bedding. I know that with a wood stock, weather and temp changes might affect the pressure on the barrel, etc., however, I think I'll just shoot it over the summer and see how it does, if for no other reason, than out of curiosity. I can always circle back to bed and float it any time I desire.

 

[pilar]

Hell don’t mess with anything and shoot it again to see how close it gets to duplication
But that looks awesome 1/4 MoA is a wow !!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

A quick range report for my new Ruger African 270.

First, 99% of my rifles have free floating barrels, and this new Ruger does not. It has pressure on the bottom of the barrel near the end of the forestock and touches slightly on the sides nearer the chamber. I know that many Rugers are supposed to be like this, but as a free floating man, it seems foreign to me.

However, since this gun came that way from the factory and since it is the way many folks keep their Rugers, I thought I'd give it a whirl "as is".

I mounted a Swarovski 3-10x on it so I could be precise in grouping.

I just used my "already" loaded handloads that my Sako 270 loves: 140gr AB, 52gr H-4350, COAL 3.253. The 22" barreled Sako launches these at 2875 fps and they are pleasant to shoot.

I bore sighted at 25yds; fired one shot at 50 to foul the barrel and see where it hit; then made a slight adjustment to better center it and fired another to check. Its pretty warm today and I'm only wanting so see if it"ll group, so to keep the barrel cooler, I didn't shoot any more.

I then shot the attached target at 100yds, letting the barrel cool about 3-5 minutes between shots.

The result, a true .25" 3-shot group. To say I'm happy with this group, is an understatement. I tailor made the load for the Sako and just hoped the Ruger wouldn't "throw up" when I fed them to it

The gun performed flawlessly in all aspects, i.e., trigger, cycling, etc.

Now, I think I'll wait on the floating and bedding. I know that with a wood stock, weather and temp changes might affect the pressure on the barrel, etc., however, I think I'll just shoot it over the summer and see how it does, if for no other reason, than out of curiosity. I can always circle back to bed and float it any time I desire.

@Bill J H
Only problem as I see it one group may have been a fluke or it will be fine.
You know that bastard MURPHY can rear his ugly head and upset the apple cart.
Hopefully that load is the one it really likes.
Shoot a few more groups and see.
Bob

 

[Black Fly]

I've owned quite a few Rugers, Hawkeye's, M77's, and 77/22's. I've played around free floating some of them. Most shot as well with tip pressure as free floated. Some shot better with tip pressure. Only one, a M77 tang safety 06 shot consistently better free floated. It has some grain in the forend that goes to the right with humidity. The three African's I've shot have been stellar. But I drink Ruger Kool-aid, so I'm little biased.
Looks like a great find.
Bfly

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Some guns just shoot better with pressure point vs free floating. No one knows why. I wouldn't mess with it. Not for the time being anyway.

 

[Ruraldoc]

Outstanding. Don’t change a thing.

Take it hunting.

 

[Joker12]

Seal the inside of the stock and barrel channel with some Linspeed oil and it will be much less likely to change with humidity changes. Sounds like you have a winner!

 

[Bill J H]

A little update:
I’ve been traveling a good bit for a month, so I haven’t had time to mess with the 270 African much.
However, this week I settled on a scope and loaded some rounds that have worked well for me in the past.
I used my Alaskan Arms QD (Low) rings and mounted a Leupold 1x6 HD Patrol. I love the glass and scope, though I prefer a 1” tube and a few ounces lighter, but the glass and quality of this scope really impress me.
My load is 140gr Sierra SBT over 52 gr of H-4350; not a blistering load but it consistently gives me 2850 fps from my 22” Sako 270 and is sub MOA. I didn’t chrono it out of the African yesterday, but will in a day or so. These bullets work well here in N Texas and I’ll run a couple hundred down the barrel this fall/winter.
The African shot a nice .60” group (100yds). I’m quite happy with this as the 1x6 crosshairs are fairly heavy; it shot a qtr inch group with a fine-haired 10x Swaro, so this slight expansion was expected.
In the next month or so, I will do some accuracy tests with some 140gr Swift A-Frames. I think I’ll take this gun on my next Africa trip (July ‘26) and the A-Frames are my preferred bullet - if they are accurate out of this gun.
MTF as I work with it this fall.

 

[Bush Buck]

I was disappointed that Ruger decided to release an African in 270 before they got around to 30-06 but your success inspired me to purchase one.
I mounted a Leupold fixed 6x36 and I'm very pleased with how comfortable it is to shoot.
I picked up a couple of boxes of factory ammo to play with before I start loading.
I got multiple sub-moa 3 shot groups with 130 grain Rem Core-Lokt - can't beat that.

 

[Bill J H]

Bush Buck,
I agree with you regarding the desire for the 30-06; had I the choice between the 2, I would have bought the ‘06. Of course, if they do put one out, I’ll still have to buy it!

Range update: When I was out checking cows this morning, I stopped by my bench to check the cold-bore shot and chronograph.
The cold-bore shot (and 2 subsequent shots), fell right in where I left off yesterday. Maybe….opening up to .75”, but no more.
Weather was calm, sunny, and 73 degrees.
1st: 2919fps
2nd: 2902fps
3rd: 2910fps

Avg: 2910 fps.

 

[Bill J H]

Bush Buck,
I agree with you regarding the desire for the 30-06; had I the choice between the 2, I would have bought the ‘06. Of course, if they do put one out, I’ll still have to buy it!

Range update: When I was out checking cows this morning, I stopped by my bench to check the cold-bore shot and chronograph.
The cold-bore shot (and 2 subsequent shots), fell right in where I left off yesterday. Maybe….opening up to .75”, but no more.
Weather was calm, sunny, and 73 degrees.
1st: 2919fps
2nd: 2902fps
3rd: 2910fps
Avg:

 

[Joker12]

For those who keep track of all things Ruger several years ago they did offer the '06 in the African line and it would be nice to see it again. I think it was only available for not much more than a year or so.

 

[BonUm16]

For those who keep track of all things Ruger several years ago they did offer the '06 in the African line and it would be nice to see it again. I think it was only available for not much more than a year or so.

If talking the Lipsey’s runs of “Africans”, are you sure an ‘06 was made? .275 Rigby, 6.5x55, 9.3x62, .280AI, .35 Whelen and now .270W are all that I can think of. Might be another cartridge I don’t recall, plus I think they skipped a year or two during the Covid BS, but I’m pretty sure that’s it since this latest iteration was introduced.

 

[Joker12]

If talking the Lipsey’s runs of “Africans”, are you sure an ‘06 was made? .275 Rigby, 6.5x55, 9.3x62, .280AI, .35 Whelen and now .270W are all that I can think of. Might be another cartridge I don’t recall, plus I think they skipped a year or two during the Covid BS, but I’m pretty sure that’s it since this latest iteration was introduced.

It was before the covid BS and was a Ruger offering, not one of the Lipseys guns. Ruger also offered the 9.3 x62 in the African for about a year that was also not a Lipseys gun. I have one of those, it has a 23 inch barrel rather than the 24 on the Lipseys guns and also the bolt including the bolt handle is in the white and the open sights are not folding and are much nicer. Mine is very accurate and a bit better handling than the rifle with the lighter barrel.

 

[mark-hunter]

Dont fix it, if it aint broken.
Enjoy the rifle.

 

[BonUm16]

It was before the covid BS and was a Ruger offering, not one of the Lipseys guns. Ruger also offered the 9.3 x62 in the African for about a year that was also not a Lipseys gun. I have one of those, it has a 23 inch barrel rather than the 24 on the Lipseys guns and also the bolt including the bolt handle is in the white and the open sights are not folding and are much nicer. Mine is very accurate and a bit better handling than the rifle with the lighter barrel.

I remember those older Ruger 9.3s well as I looked for one for quite a while with no luck. IIRC, they were put out mid to late 2000s? Also no “ebony” forend tip like the latest gen.

I have one of the Lipsey’s run 9.3s and rather like it. At just a touch over 8lbs w/ a Leupold 2.5-8, I find it a nice combination of a capable cartridge in a package that isn’t a drag to carry all day.

 

[Bush Buck]

I suspect you're thinking of the limited Ruger 77 Express in 30-06. It is similar to the recent Africans but also had a quarter rib - pretty rare rifle.

I think the first Ruger Hawkeye African 9.3x62 was releases around 2011. These are very well made rifles with great sights and appropriate barrels (similar in diameter to the current 35 Whelen but 23"). It was a Lipsey rifle but does not have the ebony forend and blue bolt of later models.
Mine is accurate, consistent and functions smoothly. It also has noticeably less recoil than the later light barrel version.

 

[F. Vaccaro]

A little update:
I’ve been traveling a good bit for a month, so I haven’t had time to mess with the 270 African much.
However, this week I settled on a scope and loaded some rounds that have worked well for me in the past.
I used my Alaskan Arms QD (Low) rings and mounted a Leupold 1x6 HD Patrol. I love the glass and scope, though I prefer a 1” tube and a few ounces lighter, but the glass and quality of this scope really impress me.
My load is 140gr Sierra SBT over 52 gr of H-4350; not a blistering load but it consistently gives me 2850 fps from my 22” Sako 270 and is sub MOA. I didn’t chrono it out of the African yesterday, but will in a day or so. These bullets work well here in N Texas and I’ll run a couple hundred down the barrel this fall/winter.
The African shot a nice .60” group (100yds). I’m quite happy with this as the 1x6 crosshairs are fairly heavy; it shot a qtr inch group with a fine-haired 10x Swaro, so this slight expansion was expected.
In the next month or so, I will do some accuracy tests with some 140gr Swift A-Frames. I think I’ll take this gun on my next Africa trip (July ‘26) and the A-Frames are my preferred bullet - if they are accurate out of this gun.
MTF as I work with it this fall.

Congratulations on a nice rifle.
After reading your posts & looking at your targets, if it were mine the only thing I’d do is clean it regularly, I WOULD NOT mess with the bedding. Once you remove wood from a wooden stock, it’s removed. I’d enjoy it just as it is, you have a fine rifle!

 

[cajunchefray]

I suspect you're thinking of the limited Ruger 77 Express in 30-06. It is similar to the recent Africans but also had a quarter rib - pretty rare rifle.

I think the first Ruger Hawkeye African 9.3x62 was releases around 2011. These are very well made rifles with great sights and appropriate barrels (similar in diameter to the current 35 Whelen but 23"). It was a Lipsey rifle but does not have the ebony forend and blue bolt of later models.
Mine is accurate, consistent and functions smoothly. It also has noticeably less recoil than the later light barrel version.

I have a Ruger 77 Express as mentioned, the quarter rib is machined integrals with the barrel, made with a slimmer stock the the MK II of that era,
1994 IIRC. I consider the 77 Express as the grandfather of the current African line , those without the expensive quarter rib.

I’m tempted to get a 35 Whelen African as they handle nicely for me.

I did see a 30-06 African at Cabelas Gun Library years ago, before the Bass Pro buyout, when they had some special runs of guns and rifles.
It was sold in 2 days.