I'm interested in a single shot handgun with a 14 " barrel and chambered in 270 Win. Anyone with experience with this combination for hunting and paper punching. I'm planning mostly on using 130gr and lighter bullets with the idea of maybe the barns 110gr x bullet for maybe knocking down a deer.

It would be pretty inefficient.....a lot of blast, noise, and unburned powder. You may want to consider a .270 JDJ.

Lee Martin
http://www.singleactions.com

If you have access to a New Nosler reloading manual they have an article on using a 308 TC on deer under the 308 reloading section.

If you want to use a 270 I would suggest the 130gr or heaver bullet. I wouldn’t let someone talk me out of it if I wanted to try unless everyone said it was a lousy choice. That is what makes the game fun.

Good luck on your choice.

I agree with Lee, with the exception that I don't want anything to do with J.D. Jones.

Have you considered the 7X57 or 7mm-08?

If you're mostly going to punch paper and maybe the occassional deer I'd be inclined toward a 243, 7mm08, or 308 instead of the cartridges based on the full-size 30'06 case. Inefficiency isn't a mortal sin - and I'll wager the 270 starts bullets of equal weight faster than a 7mm08 even in short barrels - but you'll pay for the slight advantage in recoil, blast, and flash. If you're shopping for an Encore you'll be looking at a 15 inch barrel unless you go custom. If you're willing to go to the Custom Shop why not get a 16-1/4 tube so you can put a buttstock on the Encore in case you ever need a short rifle for work in thickets and treestands? Another advantage of a Custom Shop barrel is they will sell you a straight bull barrel if you like. Have fun shopping.

I will second mb's idea. I have a Virgin Valley 16 1/4" I traded for in 308 win. It is going to be my weapon for deer this year.

I had an XP-100 in 7BR with a 12 inch barrel. I managed to kill several critters but I nearly always had to shoot them twice. I was using a 140 gr bullet at 2000 FPS. The bullets weren't expanding. After a lot of research and talking with handgunners I refitted that XP with a 308Win 15 inch barrel from Shilen. I get 300 Savage ballistics (2600FPS with a 150 gr. bullet) and the groups are to die for. Sub 1 inch easily. Several buddies have the Savage Striker in .308 Win. and their pistols are every bit as good, sometimes better, than my custom built one. Recoil is stout....But recoil never killed anyone. You keep practicing/shooting untill you overcome it. All the fancy JDJ stuff is good but the .308 is forever. Standard dies...easy to find ammo if you don't reload...and there's not a spit worth of difference...Dead is dead. That's my 2 cents and my experience in the matter. Good luck with your venture.

308XP

Just posted pics of my 14" .270 on the euro forum under'sound suppressors'. Lots of blast but mine is generally equipped with a moderator. Downloaded to 2250 it groups to .75 inch and the Sierra sp bullets expand just fine.

Rgds Ian

If you are determined to use bullets of .277", you might want to consider an IHMSA round called the .270 REN. Extremely efficient round, VERY accurate, and I believe velocities are high enough for reliable expansion on standard 130-grain projectiles...

Noel,
Whats the problem with JD ??

NB,

Me, myself, I will be hunting with my T/C Encore 15" 25/06 barrel this year, shooting either 100g or 117g. Out to 100 yards, usually can keep 5 shot group about 1.25. Got a Burris 2x7 atop it. Quite impressive I was......

quote:

Originally posted by Lee Martin:
It would be pretty inefficient.....a lot of blast, noise, and unburned powder. You may want to consider a .270 JDJ.

Lee Martin
http://www.singleactions.com

Or a 6.8SPC. Designed for a 14-16" barrel (AR 15), same caliber.
(Will be easier to find loaded ammo for also.)

I have a 20" Steyr 1950 carbine.
It is not very pleasant to shoot for the same reasons as Lee stated.

And it is not very efficient. I am doing some load developement with some faster burning powders to try and get more velocity AND less muzzle blast.

If you are interested in the 270 in a 14", get it! As far as unburned powder, the bullet may be a little slower but you won't be shooting it at game as far away as you would with a 26" barrel. (I hope). In a T/C encore if I get a barrel I don't like the performance of, I can sell it for almost what I purchased it for and try something else. Give it a shot!

Riodot