Why not a 270 LR custom build?

[blackops]

I know 99 percent of people out there feel the 270 isn’t a solid choice for a custom LR build. Mostly due to its variety of bullet choices and I myself agree that is a stomach puncher. Sierra does make match bullets for the 270 and I have to say they can shoot ½ groups out of my rifle. I’m just really interested what these bullets can do with a modern custom built rifle. I like the 30-06 and 7 mag, but something inside makes me want to really try the 270. I mean how many people have really put forth the effort to really build a custom 270? Anyways wondering what your guys take is on the whole deal.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Don't forget that berger now makes a line of .277" projectiles.

Personally I'd build one just to shoot great groups with it and rub naysayers noses in it. Ahem cough! 7.62x39mm

 

[blackops]

Don't forget that berger now makes a line of .277" projectiles

.

Thanks I forgot about the Match VLD's. I might try those in my 270 now and if they are lead free I could use them for hunting.

 

[USSR]

I mean how many people have really put forth the effort to really build a custom 270?

Not many, and with good reason. The 6mm and 6.5mm bullets rule the roost in LR shooting. But, don't let that stop you. If you have the urge and the $$$, go for it.

Don

 

[blackops]

Not many, and with good reason. The 6mm and 6.5mm bullets rule the roost in LR shooting.

I know, the 6's do shoot flat and competition guys like them. I bet your 30-06 would beg to differ though! I still like the 06 and 7 mag though also. I just really like the 270 (probably because I’ve grown up on it) and I think it would be a great project.

 

[Maverick223]

I would personally go with 6.5 or 7mm (that will do just about the same thing with more bullet options), but if .270 (6.8mm) floats your boat and they are releasing more match bullets, why not? Guaranteed to be the first long range .270 rifle on your block.

 

[blackops]

Thanks for the advice. Still a lot to think about. On one hand I really wish more match bullets were out there, but on the other I've seen what Sierra's match can do.

 

[Maverick223]

Sierra is very good (among the best), if a .270 is what you want, I say go for it. Selection is likely to improve with folks like yourself demanding better projectiles.

 

[C-grunt]

I never got why people say dont get a .270 for long range target shooting but the praise it as a good long range hunting rifle.

If you load good bullets and shoot them through a good barrel, really what else is needed. Yeah without the development that the normal long range rounds get it wont be as accurate. But Id say if it shoots sub MOA its good out to at least 600-800 yards.

Or am I missing something?

 

[C-grunt]

Max Point blank range is 297 yds when zeroed at 252 yds.
Range yds Path Velocity fps Energy ft/lbs Momentum lb ft/s
Muzzle-1.5 3000 2698 57.86 0.000 0.0 NaN 738
100 0.0 2807 2361 54.13 0.103 6.0 23 604
200 -2.9 2622 2060 50.56 0.214 24.8 47 493
300 -10.9 2445 1791 47.15 0.333 57.4 73 399
400 -24.7 2275 1552 43.88 0.460 105.4 101 322
500 -45.3 2113 1338 40.74 0.597 170.3 130 258
600 -73.6 1956 1147 37.73 0.744 254.2 162 205
700 -111.1 1808 980 34.86 0.904 359.1 196 162
800 -159.2 1667 833 32.16 1.077 487.6 233 127

This is what an online calculator states with the Sierra 135 grn Matchking at 3000 FPS. I dont know if that a doable MV for the .270 and that round but I just did it to make it easier.

 

[Maverick223]

^That load is on the upper end, but can be done with a sufficiently long barrel (about 26").

 

[blackops]

Actually I'm right around 2900fps through my krono with 58gr hodgdon h4831, 3.34 OAL, sierra matchking 135gr. At 550yds I make a 18 click adjustment (1/2moa clicks) which equals 45" exactly and I knock down the metal plates all day. I can't identify exactly where I'm making contact, but it's consistently hitting plates. I loaded up 59.5 and was getting around 3200fps also. Might I also add this is out of a pre-64. We’re talking about a 60 year old rifle with a 3x9 loopy shooting 1/2 moa at 100 and consistent at 550. That's why I'm really wondering what it can do out of a serious modern setup.

 

[Jim Watson]

Certainly a .270 will be as accurate as any other caliber, assuming equal barrel, bullets, etc.
But even the Berger 150 gr VLD .270 with BC .531 will not fly with the BC .612 140 gr 6.5 or the BC .659 180 gr 7mm.
And "Long Range" in target shooting STARTS at 800 yards. A long hunting shot is at most "Mid-Range" on the range.

 

[redneck2]

While gun nuts want to get all cranked up about calibers, remember that difference between a .270 vs 6.5 or 7mm ends up being the thickness of a few sheets of paper one way or the other.

You can make your life easier by going to a 6.5-06. You're sizing down maybe a whopping .006, use the same case, and have LOTS more bullets to choose from.

I'm changing my .25-06 to a 6.5 for LR stuff. Krieger barrel, some .020 offsets, and a 8x32 and I'm good to go.

 

[Horsemany]

Remmy used to offer the Sendero in 270 Win. I think it's a fine cartridge capable of doing serious long range work. The Matchkings are excellent as are 130 Nosler ballistic tips and Berger VLD's. Most of my testing has been @ 300yds. IMO 270 Win is inherently more accurate than average. I've had good luck even with factory loads and have owned or still own many different brands. Currently I'm using a 270 Browning X-Bolt that shoots Fed. Fusions @ 1/2" as do the ballistic tip handloads.

 

[blackops]

I do like the 7 mag and the 30-06, but I would love to build a 270 that is a true shooter for myself. I also wouldn't mind hushin up all the people that claim the 308 to be the best 800m cartridge.

 

[Maverick223]

I also wouldn't mind hushin up all the people that claim the 308 to be the best 800m cartridge.

Good luck with that, I think that is a hopeless quest...but outshooting them with an "inferior" cartridge should help ease the pain.

 

[dubbleA]

We’re talking about a 60 year old rifle with a 3x9 loopy shooting 1/2 moa at 100 and consistent at 550.

Sounds as if you already have a super accurate LR rifle.There are a lot of 1/2moa rifles on the internets, you have any pics of multiple 5 shot groups shot on the same target face fired with the M70?

 

[Sunray]

"...build a custom 270?..." Lots of 'em have been built. Just not for target shooting.
"...270 for long range target shooting but the praise it as a good long range hunting rifle..." Hunting and long range target shooting aren't the same thing. Nobody in their right mind takes a 600 to 1,000 yard hunting shot.
"...Sierra does make match bullets..." Yep. 115 and 135 grains. Both would get blown around more than a 168 or 175 grain .30 calibre.
"...am I missing something?..." The wind.
"...would love to build..." That'd be reason enough. The trick will be finding(or paying for) a match grade barrel. Douglas makes a 1 in 10 and 1 in 12 twist barrel. Hart makes a 1 in 14. McGowen makes a 1 in 9. None of which are inexpensive. Mind you, Montana Rifleman is listing 100, 1.25" diameter, 21", .277", 1 in 11, blanks as 'over stock' for $49.95 each. Suspect they'd be best used for a custom hunting rifle though.

 

[blackops]

Sounds as if you already have a super accurate LR rifle.There are a lot of 1/2moa rifles on the internets, you have any pics of multiple 5 shot groups shot on the same target face fired with the M70?

This is the only picture I have. It's only a 3 shot group though, but actually a little under 1/2 from the inside of the farthest circles. I should have tore the paper back, but I wasn't planning on posting a picture on the web. lol My featherweight's barrel heats up quick and I shoot 3 shots to make adjustments. I found new place to shoot where I can put up paper targets to 500yds. Trying to find some H4831 right now so I can make some more loads, once I do I will take some pictures.

Sunray, I actually was looking into Krieger.