Around here it seems one can't give them away.

Is the popularity fading in other places as well or is this just a fad?

This round IMO is still the finest deer/pronghorn/blackbear/caribou cartridge ever developed!.....or close to it! Ammo is found almost anywhere 30-06 is found!

If there giving them away I'll take one or two.
Their real popular here in Wyoming, and it seems everyone I talk to has one. I found a nice .270 at the gun store the other day went back to buy it and it was already gone .

The 30-06 and 7mm Mag are the only two that I know are more popular.

Steve

I think I see more .270s at the range than 30-06s. The most common hunting calibers used around here are(In no particular order) the 7mm Rem, .300 Win Mag, .270, 30-06 in bolt guns, with a smattering of .308s and .243s. A week before the rifle season the 30/30 and .303 British owners make their yearly appearance. Enthusiasts might show up with just about anything.

quote:

seems one can't give them away

Vapo, it just depends on the company you keep! Me, I'm not above accepting a hand-out...but only if it's Kimber (I might accept a pre Winchester, if I had to).

Take care,

friar

Vapo, as you probably know, I am a 270 nut, so I can't fathom the thought of their popularity waining. Having said that, here is an interesting tidbit of info.

I have 2 friends that manage large retail facilities gun departments. I tend to ask them 2 or 3 times a year what guns/calibers are their best sellers. What is requested most, and what sells the most. For several years now, somewhat surprisingly to me the answer in order is consistently " the WSM's 300 & 270, 300 Win Mag, 270 and '06."

Having been there often when more normal customers (not a gun crank like me/us) have come to shop, I witness pretty much the same thing. Consistently the most asked for is the 300 'Short Mag. I actually would have guessed the 300 WM next, but despite some peoples disdain for them, the WSM's are still asked for a lot at the counter!

I notice on our sign in sheet at my primary shooting range, the 270 remains one of the most shot rifles, about even with the '06. Around 'sight in time' for the fall when the club has lots of guests, the WSM numbers really surge, and of course so do the 300 Win Mags.

My opinion isn't very scientific, but I owned and hunted with two different 270's(actually my son did most of the hunting) and I won't own another. I find they don't kill very effectively for the recoil. I find you need to shoot premium bullets when you don't for a 260 or 7-08. If I need a more powerful gun than a 260/7-08 I will buy a 30-06 or better. If was buying my son his first rifles again I would have started with a 308 or 7-08.
In my opinion, the 270 will kill stuff, but I think it's the most overrated popular calibre
going.

Vap, maybe folks are catching on to the fact that there are so many better cartridges around. Like, for instance, the .280.

I'm a 280 fan for sure......and the 270 as well!

I wonder if the 270 is so well saturated....meaning everyone has one.... that sales of new ones have disappeared in favor of other chamberings!.....?

It's one thing to say that the 270 shows up at the gun range.....quite another to say that people are still buying them in mass.

If that was the case then the same would apply to the 30-06 and it don't seem to be the case athough a remmy 700 in 30-06 was consigned locally for $300 (excellent shape) and it didn't move and the owner just took it back!

There's been a very pretty wood M-70 (Pushfeed) 270 here for six months with a $450 price tag on it.....gorgeous gun.....and I already have way way too many.....So I ask why it hasn't moved.....the store owner merely says that he almost can't give away a 270.....or a 7mm Mag as well!

The 270 isn't going anywhere. People are brainwashed with the short mag craze, thinking they are light years beyond the performance of the plain jane cartridges of yesteryear.

No different that when folks who had swimming pools in their backyard started spending MORE money on the Hydrogen Peroxide chemicals instead of plain chlorine. They soon found out that it wasn't THAT much better, if at all, was more expensive, and didn't last as long, but you weren't "hip" if you didn't use it.

Martin, you said:

quote:

I find they don't kill very effectively for the recoil. I find you need to shoot premium bullets when you don't for a 260 or 7-08.

Your findings are interesting. The part about the need for premium bullets is most likely an isolated experience. Because, you don't. I know what you mean though. I get better groups with partitions than I ever have with Sierras. Odd, but true, and certainly not the norm.

What is so odd is that your findings are the exact opposite of mine.

Vapo,

are you feeding the trolls again?

Just purchased a rem 700 C grade in 270 right before hunting season. I store it in the dark in my gun safe right next to my winchester 270 and my "obsolete" 7 x 57 mauser. They tend not to fade that way.
GWB

I don't think it's fading, but there is alot of new choices out there.
I have used one for years off and on hunting mulies, and loved it.
Lately I have used a 7mm RSAUM instead of the 270. No complaints at all, and I'm not ready to switch back!
With all of the new short mags, ultra mags, etc. out there the 270 seems to be about as exciting as white bread.
After the smoke clears and the "new" choices are not as tempting anymore I think the 270 will be back in the top three choices of deer and antelope hunters.
Funny thing is that when the 270 came out it was disdained for its "amazing velocity" much like the Weatherby and Ultra mags are today.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
I'm a 280 fan for sure......and the 270 as well!

I wonder if the 270 is so well saturated....meaning everyone has one.... that sales of new ones have disappeared in favor of other chamberings!.....?

It's one thing to say that the 270 shows up at the gun range.....quite another to say that people are still buying them in mass.

If that was the case then the same would apply to the 30-06 and it don't seem to be the case athough a remmy 700 in 30-06 was consigned locally for $300 (excellent shape) and it didn't move and the owner just took it back!

There's been a very pretty wood M-70 (Pushfeed) 270 here for six months with a $450 price tag on it.....gorgeous gun.....and I already have way way too many.....So I ask why it hasn't moved.....the store owner merely says that he almost can't give away a 270.....or a 7mm Mag as well!

I have a 270, 280 and a 30-06. For deer sized animals there isn't a nickel's worth of difference in them until we start comparing apples to oranges. You know, which is better for bear, a 270 with 130 grain bullets or an 30-06 with 200 grain bullets? I also have a 338-06 A.I.which some feel is no better than my 30-06.

I also have a 7mm-08 which makes my 270 and 280
seem like a waste of time, but gentlemen, let's be honest, there are many calibers which double up and lap over!

I suspect the saturation theory, but in the case of the Winchester push-feed, it is the push-feed that kills the sale. Regardless of its' merits, most purchasers want the controlled round feed, for whatever reason!

Me, I just think the claw extractor looks good!
My Ruger is a push feed in 7mm-08, my favorite rifle, even though it is still unfinished and has not been fired! It has a claw extractor! I could have gotten a donor action made in the short action by Winchester for about the same money. The short Winchester did not have a claw extractor!

Need we remember that someone did indeed kiss Mrs. Murphy's cow? Most of us here are fairly well versed in the benefits of most calibers. We also understand the trade offs and ballistic differences.

Isn't it time we stopped all this "my dog is bigger than your dog" stuff? New cartridges are created by companies to boost sales. Period! They recognize saturation, and so should we.

Ever heard the saying, "There is nothing new under the sun". Think about it?

Martinbns,
I never shot a premium bullet through any of the .270s I owned and for many years I never used anything else. My reasoning was that all .270 bullets were designed for .270 Win speed and that were no bad choices. I used mostly 130 Hornadies and killed literally truck lots of deer and some moose. Never got an elk with one, but that was only because I never saw one when I was carrying it. Regarding recoil I've had a .270 that stung a bit, and then others with minimal recoil. That seemed to to be more about stock design than anything else.
Your findings are interesting, obviously you saw what you saw, but it's the exact opposite of what I experienced.
Dogleg

quote:

is the .270 Winchester fading in popularity

Not fast enough!

quote:

Originally posted by molar1:

quote:

is the .270 Winchester fading in popularity

Not fast enough!

You just don't quit, do you, molar?

it's all in fun guys!!!!

It's funny, I've been buying guns for over 30 years and I'm left handed. In all that time the 270, 30.06, 7mm Mag and 300 Mag are the most common (and sometimes the only) choices for lefties.

I've never owned a 270 Win in any configuration and the only 30.06 I've owned was a Garand.

it just doesn't do anything for me personally. I go from a 257 Roberts to a 7STW, to my 9,3x62 and up and up...

Rich
DRSS

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
it's all in fun guys!!!!

Yeah, I know, vapo. I understand how he feels. I feel the same way about Wnchester model 70s!

For years I didn't own a 270 except a Mannlicher that I never shot. Then all of a sudden I had 5 of them and they did very well. I managed to sell a couple and now am back to 3.
What really impressed me was the change in performance in the last 15 or so years. I used one years ago and wasn't impressed. New loads seem much more effective-or is it just my perspective?

Gidday Guys,

If any of you are giving away your 270s I will take them as I'm sure that if I take that horrid 277 barrel off it I can turn it into a nice 6.7x57 and in doing so turn a pigs ear into a silk purse. lol

There are heaps of 270s around here. I would reckon that it would be the number one cartridge in NZ after 223.

Buggered if I know why but those that have them swear by them.

Happy Hunting

Hamish

quote:

Originally posted by Dogleg:
I think I see more .270s at the range than 30-06s. The most common hunting calibers used around here are(In no particular order) the 7mm Rem, .300 Win Mag, .270, 30-06 in bolt guns, with a smattering of .308s and .243s. A week before the rifle season the 30/30 and .303 British owners make their yearly appearance. Enthusiasts might show up with just about anything.

the 303 british has shot more deer down here in NZ than all the others. back in the deer culling days they all used x-army 303s i have shot a few deer with a p-14 303 and it works just as well as my 300wsm

One of the best things , in my opinion , about the .270 caliber is that you can have it in any rifle you want right off the shelf . I always wanted a .280 . But then I came across a CZ 550 on gunbroker.com , in .270 of course . Can't get it in .280 . For some unknown reason noone bid on it but me . $235 . I guess everyone else already had a .270 . Am I sad that it's not a .280 . Not at all . Then I practicaly tripped over a Ruger 77 tang saftey .270 at the local gunshop for $175 . Shot 4" groups ..., til I changed the POS scope that was on it . Now it shoots under an inch . Who needs a .280 ? The game can't tell the difference .

I'm sure we will read of the .270 in the obituary column any day now, you bet. roger

Molar, you and Hamish might as well accept the things you are powerless over. The 270 is here to stay and even if it ever did lose some of it's popularity, it would be short lived. You can't deny what works. It's actually a shame you guys DISlike such a proven caliber. It's puzzling.

I personally don't dislike any big game caliber even though I may personally have no use for several.

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
I'm sure we will read of the .270 in the obituary column any day now, you bet. roger

Roger.....I looked in the obituaries and sure enough....here it is...to wit:

Deceased: 270 Winchester
270 Winchester passed away on 2-15-07 after a long illness at the age of 82.

He was preceeded in death by a sister Ms. 280 Remington and an old cousin Mr. 240 Weatherby. He is survived by his father .30-06 Springfield who is now 101 years old.

Surviving brothers include 25-06 Remington, 338-06, and .35 Whelen. He had no children of his own.

Mr. Winchester has donated his carcass to ballistic research and it is not expected for him to be buried for at least another 100 years.

Originally posted by Don Slater:

quote:

I feel the same way about Wnchester model 70s!

We finally agree on something Don.

quote:

Originally posted by molar1:
Originally posted by Don Slater:

quote:

I feel the same way about Wnchester model 70s!

We finally agree on something Don.

Yo, add me to that too.

quote:

Originally posted by molar1:
Originally posted by Don Slater:

quote:

I feel the same way about Wnchester model 70s!

We finally agree on something Don.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:

quote:

Originally posted by molar1:
Originally posted by Don Slater:

quote:

I feel the same way about Wnchester model 70s!

We finally agree on something Don.

Yo, add me to that too.

A person can go into Wally World and purchase 270's, 243's, and 30-06's pretty cheap -- usually. I think that is one reason the prices on those rifles are down. I rarely go into such places however, there would be talk.
You would not see me shed a tear on the demise of the 270 or the 243. Having said that a 270 wouldn't be a bad starter cartridge for a beginner. He or she could always get a better cartridge after they have grown some.

Dogleg,
I've only been involved with maybe 7 deer and a bear shot with a 270, nowhere near a truckload, most of these were shot by my son at a variety of ranges but only one over 200 yards. In four cases I found the separated case in the hide of the deer, I know this means the deer died, but I found chest shot deer went along way. Two different ones shot with 130 gr Hornady's came apart on the way in leading me t believe they aren't tough enough for a calibre that launches a relatively small bullet over 3000 fps.
If you compare it to a 260 from example, you can get an extra 100 or so fps from a 130 r partition vs a 125, the bc is better for the 6.5 offering and the drop difference at 400 yrds is about an inch, for that I have to burn 15 gr more powder, carry a heavier, long action rifle. I bought into the 270 myth when buying my son's first rifle, now I realize it's just a myth and wouldn't bother. I just thnk if the 270 came out today it would be just another round, probably comparable to the 280 in popularity.

quote:

Originally posted by martinbns:
I bought into the 270 myth

What myth?

Vapo--you can take my share of 270's and give them to someone else, as i do not own even one.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
Around here it seems one can't give them away.

Is the popularity fading in other places as well or is this just a fad?

This round IMO is still the finest deer/pronghorn/blackbear/caribou cartridge ever developed!.....or close to it! Ammo is found almost anywhere 30-06 is found!

You should read this:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/12_rifle_cartridges.htm

and this:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/readers_choice_rifle_cartridges.htm

and this:

http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/l/aasttopriflecar.htm

and this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.270_Winchester


From what I gather the 270 Winchester is the 2nd most popular rifle cartridge in the entire world today based on numbers of rifles and ammunition sold. I see no basis that this cartridge has lost its footing.

GVA

The only thing that has hurt the .270 Winchester is that new short stubby mishap known as the .270 WSM caliber.

All those people out there for years have been saying, how great the 30-06 is because you can hunt bigger game with it and the 150 grain bullet in a .270 Winny is just not enought.

Ummmmm OK! Now try reloading and put a 160 Nosler Partition Gold bullet into the case or you want bigger? They take the route of the 195 grain Original by Barnes bullets and tell me later it won't penetrate just as deep as a 220 grainer out of a 30-06 gents.

Gidday Doc,

Sorry mate I was just seeing if I could get a rise out of you. It worked.

I almost bought a 270win in a beautiful FN mauser but ended up buying a Remmy 700 in 30-06 instead. I fell in love with the 06 and although most of my mates shoot 270s I wouldn't change from it because it is so good.

They are always giving me a hard time about the 06 and the 260 so as the best defence is attack I wind up the 270 lovers.

I load for them and have seen how effective the round really is at first hand but I sometimes like to stir things up. In the most well meaning and good natured way of course

Happy Hunting

Hamish

Gidday Paul,

You are almost right, The 303 did drop a heap of deer here up until the 60s with the ground hunters. Once the choppers got going they were shooting in a day what the ground hunters were doing in a year. They were using mainly SLRs (FN FALs) in the start along with SIG AMTs and the occaisional AR10 all in 308win.

Then when things got really hot they switched to AR15s and mini14s in 223 rem and that is the cartridge which shipped tens of thousands of deer carcasses off to the kitchens of Europe.

It is the 223 which is the biggest killer of deer down here mate. Not necesarily the most efficient or humane but certainly with the highest numbers killed.

Happy Hunting

Hamish

270 winchester won't die. Why should it? Really look at the ballistics. I like it's new brother too the 270 wsm. I don't know how someone can say it's not a good killer!??? The deer I've shot with it looked like thier legs disappeared. DRT Trajectory of a magnum and a soft recoil! Nah it'll be fine.

The .270 is a great cartridge,
To me its the minimum all around cartridge for the lower 48.
There is no better deer round on the plannet.
If all I had was a 270 it would come with me elk hunting too.
Some would say the 270WSM is better. Under certain conditions it could be. If the only shot you are likly to get is 500 yards or soo.
But the modern out look seems to be to get a real flatt shooting round and a balistic reticle on a varmint power scope and you are instantly a long range marksman.
As for better rounds , I don't know what would qualify for better. Point it in the right direction at the proper size game and fire up the tregger.
...tj3006