What other calibers can be built on a 270 win action?

[FEENIX]

I agree with most of you on heavy for caliber 270 or 280 ai.
I just fixed a problem this same kid was having with a 22 revolver so I am assuming he will be over this weekend to pick it up and go over just what he has in mind for the rebarel if needed.
Thanks for all the info from you all for me to share with him.
I am assuming that heavy bullets for 270 will require some work to the magazine as well to be able to hold and feed them correct?

My .270 AI is a Savage 110 LA and my current load ...

COAL = 3.340"
CBTO = 2.675" (.040" off the lands)

... for 175 Matrix VLD.

 

[codyadams]

I am assuming that heavy bullets for 270 will require some work to the magazine as well to be able to hold and feed them correct?

If I recall, the model 70 set up for long action actually has a pretty long magazine, somewhere in the 3.6" range? Dont recall exactly. If that's the case you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[IndianaMatt]

If you reload then look at the Sherman stuff.

If you don't then look at a .280AI you can buy that ammo off the shelf.

 

[Alibiiv]

My Son's buddy has a model 70 in 270 that needs a rebarrel. What other calibers could we go with on that action to make it reach out there a little more?

Usually when I read a thread such as this one, I always start with the basics, "What are you planning to use this rifle for hunting (game), do you reload?" And......"to make it reach out there a little more?" What distance/s are you asking this rifle to shoot "a little more", what does that mean (how far)? Is your son's buddy recoil sensitive, is he an experienced shooter? How much money do you want to spend? It doesn't matter what caliber you decide on, if I were rebarreling to any caliber, I would spend the extra money to have the action blueprinted/trued to go along with the rebarrel. I would try deciding on a cartridge that does not require changing the bold face or modifying the rails for feeding. And although you will get a number of suggestions with a question such as this one, because there's lots of debate on long range cartridges, the .270 Winchester is not a bad cartridge overall, depending on your long range needs.

 

[Hespco]

When you see that the 6.5x55 that came out in 1893 has successfully been taking moose in Scandinavia ever since. I would recommend the 6.5-06. Simple to reload . Make your brass from 25-06, 270, 30-06 etc. With the proper bullet it will take any hoofed animal on the north American continent.

 

[Muddyboots]

The simplest way to make the .270 LR is to faster twist, longer throat and longer barrel 26" minimum. You can stay with standard .270 brass which is easy to get anywhere and you can shoot heavier bullets higher BC with faster twist with benefit of longer barrel for better powder burn efficiency. I sometimes think we tend to reject a an old reliable caliber for new whiz bang but with minor tweaks can be just the ticket. This is not a rocket science change out so it is a very nice way to start into LR. You can get a quality barrel that fits this bill pretty much anywhere. Grab some RL-26 and 150+ grain bullets and you are well on the way for reaching out there a bit.

Huh, I guess I just talked myself into that concept for an older Savage 110 .270 that I have in safe!

 

[Alibiiv]

Just for giggles, I looked up factory (SAAMI approved) rounds, based off the .30-06 case (.270 Win bolt-face, which is the rifle in question) and came up with:
.25-06 Rem

6.5-06 A-Square (SAAMI approved 1997)

.270 Win

.280 Rem

.280 Ackley Improved (SAAMI approved 2008)

.338-06 A-Square (SAAMI approved 1998)

.35 Whelen

Since the goal was elk, all these would work, but since .270 was the baseline, then the .280 AI would be a great choice and a bump up in power. The .338-06 A-Square would be a sizeable jump in power. The .35 Whelen is a golden oldie that would certainly do the trick, too, for any North American game. Tons of wildcats out there, but being able to get factory ammo would be a plus (I'm assuming.)

Since I have a soft spot for the .270 Win, I'd suggest a rebarrel in that caliber again with a 24" barrel and a 1 in 8 twist so heavier for caliber bullets could be used.

I'm actually hoping you find that the current gun just needs a good, thorough cleaning to 'shoot' well again. That would be the cheapest solution, and the .270 Win still works fine for elk 'as is'.

I agree with all that you have written in your post and either have or respect any of the cartridges that you have mentioned in this response; however, not with, ".280 AI would be a great choice and a bump up in power". If you want to go with heavier bullets then the .280AI certainly is a good choice and the way to go. However if you are happy with bullets in the 130-160 range there's not enough difference between the two cartridges worth making the change. I read in the forums all the time about how great the .280AI is, "IF" one is comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges, there's really not that much difference. By comparisons I am talking barrel lengths and twist rates. The following is the best that I could find from a Nosler #8 manual, .270 Winchester (24 inch barrel), .280AI (26 inch barrel): .270 140gr@3000fps, .280AI 140gr@3200fps, .270 150gr@2900fps, .280AI 150gr@3100fps, .270 160gr@2800fps, .280AI 160@3000fps. It's important to note here that the .270 Winchester stats are with a "24 inch barrel" while the .280AI are with a "26 inch barrel". Add an additional 2 inches onto the stats of the .270 Winchester or remove 2 inches from the .280AI stats and what do you have; depending on who one speaks with one could add an additional 50-100 fps to the .270 Win stats or deduct 50-100fps from the .280AI stats!! From what I have seen the .270 Winchester really comes into its own for performance with the 26 inch barrel. Then we have the availability factor and the cost factor. Availability is a hit or miss with the .280AI, not so much with the .270 Winchester. Cost= Nosler .270 Winchester@ $41.99/20ct, Nosler.280AI @ $57.99/20ct and right now .280AI not available from Brownells. Unless a shooter has to eek out every single FPS out a particular cartridge, there's really not enough difference between the two cartridges to make a cartridge change. And.......now with such a controversial topic this is where the fight starts!!

 

[LongestShot]

If you're looking for a few more FPS and don't want to go overboard you can simply put a 40 degree shoulder on it and AI it. A 270AI will give you 3-5% more case volume and boost the FPS. You can use all of your current brass and just fire form the cases and you're all set. It will accurately shoot the standard 270 cartridges and you're fire forming brass for yourself. I have a 6mmAI and will often shoot standard 6mm cases to form the brass. It's a simple inexpensive fix.

 

[Alibiiv]

If you're looking for a few more FPS and don't want to go overboard you can simply put a 40 degree shoulder on it and AI it. A 270AI will give you 3-5% more case volume and boost the FPS. You can use all of your current brass and just fire form the cases and you're all set. It will accurately shoot the standard 270 cartridges and you're fire forming brass for yourself. I have a 6mmAI and will often shoot standard 6mm cases to form the brass. It's a simple inexpensive fix.

Totally agree with you here, just didn't want to throw that out there with such a controversial subject; and we don't know if the OP reloads. Currently my son and I are having two .270AI's built on Ruger 77 actions, the gunsmith just got the barrels in after about a two month wait for them. I haven't bought is yet, but do intend of purchasing a hydroform set up for the round.

 

[codyadams]

I agree with all that you have written in your post and either have or respect any of the cartridges that you have mentioned in this response; however, not with, ".280 AI would be a great choice and a bump up in power". If you want to go with heavier bullets then the .280AI certainly is a good choice and the way to go. However if you are happy with bullets in the 130-160 range there's not enough difference between the two cartridges worth making the change. I read in the forums all the time about how great the .280AI is, "IF" one is comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges, there's really not that much difference. By comparisons I am talking barrel lengths and twist rates. The following is the best that I could find from a Nosler #8 manual, .270 Winchester (24 inch barrel), .280AI (26 inch barrel): .270 140gr@3000fps, .280AI 140gr@3200fps, .270 150gr@2900fps, .280AI 150gr@3100fps, .270 160gr@2800fps, .280AI 160@3000fps. It's important to note here that the .270 Winchester stats are with a "24 inch barrel" while the .280AI are with a "26 inch barrel". Add an additional 2 inches onto the stats of the .270 Winchester or remove 2 inches from the .280AI stats and what do you have; depending on who one speaks with one could add an additional 50-100 fps to the .270 Win stats or deduct 50-100fps from the .280AI stats!! From what I have seen the .270 Winchester really comes into its own for performance with the 26 inch barrel. Then we have the availability factor and the cost factor. Availability is a hit or miss with the .280AI, not so much with the .270 Winchester. Cost= Nosler .270 Winchester@ $41.99/20ct, Nosler.280AI @ $57.99/20ct and right now .280AI not available from Brownells. Unless a shooter has to eek out every single FPS out a particular cartridge, there's really not enough difference between the two cartridges to make a cartridge change. And.......now with such a controversial topic this is where the fight starts!!

I agree there isnt much difference between the two all being equal. The difference in velocity that I have generally seen with barrel length is around 20-30 fps per inch, so I would say the difference between the two you listed would be 40-60 fps or so. If you AI the .270, it puts them pretty close. The .280 will still be 50-100 fps faster with a given bullet simply due to bore diameter, but as you said, the difference isn't huge. As far as brass, just buy .270 brass to run in a .280 AI, and there is no longer a cost difference in the two. And there are more available heavy for caliber bullets for a .284 diameter. And you can buy .280 AI ammo with heavier bullets than a .270 (though loaded ammo will be more expensive and harder to come by than .270 loaded ammo).

Don't get me wrong, not arguing at all, I personally am building a .270 Sherman to shoot the 170's, and I had the option to build everything from a 6.5 to a .338 and chose the .270 sherman. I think the easiest way to get more out of it is to just get a fast twist .270 and shoot the 150+ bullets in it. No fireforming, same dies, just change bullets. Though if he wants to go all in, the .270 Sherman will get the most.

 

[Alibiiv]

I agree there isnt much difference between the two all being equal. The difference in velocity that I have generally seen with barrel length is around 20-30 fps per inch, so I would say the difference between the two you listed would be 40-60 fps or so. If you AI the .270, it puts them pretty close. The .280 will still be 50-100 fps faster with a given bullet simply due to bore diameter, but as you said, the difference isn't huge. As far as brass, just buy .270 brass to run in a .280 AI, and there is no longer a cost difference in the two. And there are more available heavy for caliber bullets for a .284 diameter. And you can buy .280 AI ammo with heavier bullets than a .270 (though loaded ammo will be more expensive and harder to come by than .270 loaded ammo).

Don't get me wrong, not arguing at all, I personally am building a .270 Sherman to shoot the 170's, and I had the option to build everything from a 6.5 to a .338 and chose the .270 sherman. I think the easiest way to get more out of it is to just get a fast twist .270 and shoot the 150+ bullets in it. No fireforming, same dies, just change bullets. Though if he wants to go all in, the .270 Sherman will get the most.

It's important to remember that the Nosler.280AI (SAAMI) is .014 thousandths shorter than the original parent case .280AI original (wildcat), so it's necessary to trim the case back.

 

[codyadams]

It's important to remember that the Nosler.280AI (SAAMI) is .014 thousandths shorter than the original parent case .280AI original (wildcat), so it's necessary to trim the case back.

Absolutely, I just consider that general reloading practice, I always check case length when reloading, except on my ai cartridges. I check those about every other time. I dont need to trim them much

 

[Triggerhead Ed]

Rebore the 270 barrel to 338 use your 270 brass to load
338 A square
cheaper than a re-barreled job and will hammer elk

 

[Alibiiv]

Rebore the 270 barrel to 338 use your 270 brass to load
338 A square
cheaper than a re-barreled job and will hammer elk

Good idea "if" there's enough barrel dameter at the end of the barrel it's easy to do. I've had several barrels rebored by JES Reboring in Oregon, it was like $225 return shipping to my door. The rifle barrel had to be 9/16ths on the end to rebore to 35 Whelen from a 30-06. Reboring is a great, inexpensive route to go, all three barrels that JES did for me all shoot!