OK, quick and probably silly question, but I need to make sure before I "pull the trigger" on a deal...what can I re-barrel a .270 to? I am thinking 257 roberts is what I'd like, and I know I can rebarrel to pretty much anything based on the 30 06 family, but the 257 is a necked down 7x57...so will this work?

and what other light recoil calibers can I choose from? 6.5x55? 7x57? 250-300 (pretty sure this one is a no-go)? what else?

Thanks

Dave

Dave,
My best shooting 257 is a springfield done by flaigg in the 60. Let's me set the bullet way out, that is has 06 length.

jeffe

Normally the 7x57 case will feed fine from an 06 magazine. Allows you to seat the bullets out further allowing more case capacity. Take a dummy 257 and try. Depending on your bolt face a 6.5x55 might need a touch of work. Nothing major. A 250-300? If that is the 250savage then you would need a spacer in the back of the magazine and new follower.
Depending on how light you want to go.
6mmrem
257 Roberts
7x57
even a 25 or 6.5-06 or simply light load the 270.

thanks fella's-I am wanting a light recoil/light muzzle blast deer hunting rifle for my girls and I think I am going to end up with an "extra" ruger 77 ultra light 20 inch barrel in .270, so the 257 sounds about perfect.


Dave

If you handload then the 270 itself would make the most sense.

Just load it down a little.

To add that Remington may make youth loads for the 270 as well.

I considered rebarreling mine to 6.5x55, which I thought would be ideal. While working my 270 loads up the pressure ladder, I found 54g - 55g of H4831SC gave pretty good accuracy (without trying particularly hard) at probably 2700 fps - 6.5 Swede territory - so I didn't bother. FWIW.

Jaywalker

I'll second the loading down appraoch....that is unless you want a 6.5x55 or 7x57.

My wife and both of my nephews learned and killed their first deer with a light load under a 140gr BTSp by Hornady. 2500fps I believe.

I purchased some Barnes TSX and Sierra pro hunter bullets in 110/100gr to work up some light recoiling youth loads. Haven't got around to playing with them yet, but maybe after turkey season.

Another round for deer to consider would be a 25-06. Like the others, I think the 270 itself loaded down would work.

I went through this same thought process about a rifle for my son, finlly narrowing it down between a 243 and a 25-06, and now I'm thinking a 308 handloaded down....

quote:

Originally posted by Mark:
Another round for deer to consider would be a 25-06.

For the long action I'd think this was a far better option.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark:
Another round for deer to consider would be a 25-06. Like the others, I think the 270 itself loaded down would work.

I find very little difference in recoil between 25-06 and 270. Maybe I'm too big to feel the difference. I guess a kid might notice the difference.

I am a little concerned about using the 25 06 for my girls-my little brother who has almost no experience with shooting came out and went hunting this past year for the fist time. I had him carrying a Ruger 25 06 and he said the noise and blast were much more than he expected-we spent a little time this summer shooting one afternoon-22lr, 9mm's, and 357's and 44 mag out of a marlin. That got me to thinking hard about this-I did not think the difference in the 44 mag and the 25 06 would be that noticable.

I do love the 25 06 myself and currently own 3 of them, but I don't know they are going to be right for my girls...(hows that for justifying another gun!)

Dave

Dave,
You justifications sound good and I want you to know that all of us here support your need to add another gun to your cabinet.

However, if something unforeseen should happen and you feel the need to stick with what you have, you can load some lighter rounds for the .270 or go to the store and get some "reduced recoil" rounds in .270.... They will make a big difference in the recoil and blast from that rig.

You will be shooting at 150 yards or so, rather than 300, but if your girls are new shooters, the distances will likely be short anyways.

I agree with the lite load idea for you 270. Unless you really want another rifle. Take a 130gr and a faster powder like 4064 or RL15 then load it down to aroud 2700fps. Powder will be reduced to around 38-42 grs pressures of 43,000 and very low muzzle blast. I did the same thing with a 280 years ago for my 11 yr old son.

FWIW, my vote would be for the 6.5x55 SE; my second choice would be the 25-06 or 257 Bob.