Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Why Has the 270 Winchester Fell Out of Favor?

I keep hearing the old 270 is dead so I went to midway the other day and looked at factory load offerings. There were 68 hunting factlory loads. For the 6.5 creedmoor there were 90 some factory loads 60 some od which were sold as hunting ammo (varmint/big game). The rest were match loads some of which I know guys use for hunting however they are not marketed that way. Any case the old 270 is hanging right in there with the most popular, modern load of the day when it comes to hunting ammo. Since the 270 is and always was a hunting round, not a target round, seems to be doing ok. People get all tied up with PRS but I read there are 10 thousand some guys competing im that sport. John Haviland quipped in an American Rifleman article not long ago there are more hunters in 2 counties in PA than compete in long range target. I thought that was pretty jnteresting point given the amount of focus the prs rounds get in press

Lou

When laser rangefinders started getting cheap and reliable enough for normal folks to twist turrets, the 7mm had an advantage--at least among enthusiasts--becuz of the generally faster twist so you can run longer/higher bc bullets. Or just longer heavier bullets.

But most normal folks are pretty happy with their 270s.

I've noticed that among those who don't read gun magazines and log onto sites like this, there are still lots of .270s, .30/06s, 7mm magnums, and .243s out and about during deer season .

It's interesting you mention this. I was discussing this issue with my friend down at camp. He and I are both Buckeye transplants. He moved down 12 years ago; his wife was from the county. She died, and now he lives close to her brother over on the next ridge. He is known as "Blacksmith" on my weblog.

He is a big fan of 45-70. However, we were discussing the various chamberings we'd encountered down here.

His web of kin are all hugely vested in 270 WIN going back at least a couple of generations.

Previously, I had known few male hunters here in the general area that favored 270 WIN. When it was chosen, it was usually what a husband bought his wife for hunting.

The 270 isn't the latest cool kid on the block. I gacked 270 ballistics with the latest wonder cartridges and it hangs with them. I was looking on GB last night for a Kimber MT 270. I'd bet I end up with one in the next year or so. I had one about 4-5 years ago and it got "donated" to a poor 'ute in Kansas City. Apparently Kansas City has a Kimber donation protocol I wasn't aware of. I killed 2 elk with that rifle using 150 gr Partitions and Re 26. Very effective combo. Of course I keep thinking my current Kimber 8400 LA needs to be a 280......

Ron Spomer did a great comparison on the 270 vs the 6.5 Creedmoor.

If you don’t read the whole thing, at least look at the final analysis…

https://www.ronspomeroutdoors.com/blog/6-5-creedmoor-versus-270-winchester




Whether you choose to risk your inches to wind deflection or bullet drop, you can't dispute the wonderful performance and versatility of both these cartridges. In energy, velocity and drop, the 270 Winchester wins. In wind deflection, recoil, cycling speed, and potentially compact rifle size (short action,) the Creedmoor comes out on top.If you own an accurate, beloved 270 Winchester, you don't need to replace it with a 6.5 Creedmoor.

I have entirely to many deer rifles, but when the season starts I grab my Dad's pre-64 270 featherweight.

I have one 270 left and will keep it. It's a very nice Winchester Pre64 Featherweight that has been unmolested. It's one of my fair weather rifles that's only allowed out in good weather. The Kimber's are for ugly weather.

People always want new things. Nothing wrong with that. Doubt I will ever sell my boring old 270 700 or my even more boring 30-06 ruger tanger. But I will hunt this year with my 7mm08 on most hunts. I hunt whitetail in AL and I have noticed the younger guys using smaller friendlier chamberings on deer. 6.5 Creed comes to mind.

My main rifle is a CA Ridgeline 270 Win.


129lrx ammo is a hammer and perfect for how I hunt.

I've posted this picture of my M70 in McMillan Edge several times.



I have a nice Parker Hale 1200 rifle as well, and a .270 will always be a rifle and cartridge I hang on too. I just don't use the .270 as much since I've started using a suppressor. I can't bring myself to thread either one of my rifles.

The new generation of hunters/shooters spend more time at the range than in the field, this is where the newer cartridges shine like the 6.5CM, 6.5 PRC and to some extent the 300 PRC. The specialty rifles and chassis stocks these new to shooting folks uses lend themselves to the long range target crowd and long range hunting. I see hunting posts on social media and everyone wants to know "how far was the shot?" and there seems to be general disappointment if the shot was under 500 yards. I remember is wasn't long ago that one would be called out for poor sportsmanship if he was boasting about a shot over 300 yards. For me, I'm on the side of sport hunting ethics and I like the idea of close the better but the new age will call you a non-woke boomer if you call them out for their "shooting" and lack of "hunting". Back to the 270, years ago, I experimented with the 6.5s, including 260 Rem, 6.5x55, 6.5-06 and 263 WM and most recently the 6.5 CM. After buying rifles, new barrels and handloading, I came to the conclusion that they all duplicate (or at least try to) the 270 Win. I don't own any 6.5s but I presently have two 270s and won't be without at least one. The 270 is not sexy enough for the new generation and the short 6.5 PRC is ideal for the target crowd but the 270 W is the benchmark for all other "deer" cartridges to measure against. The performance between the 270W and the 6.5 PRC are just about identical out to 500 yards, after that, the PRC has an edge. However, long skinny cartridges tend to feed better than short fatties and often add one to the mag capacity. These days, I shoot 140s out of my 270s as a compromise and could not be more pleased. As much as I appreciate the modern design and accuracy of the 6.5CM, it doesn't have quite the zip of the 270 so I'll stick with what has worked for so many years.

Over the years I have owned more than several .270s. My favorite is my old .300 WM. I have the most faith in the rifle and caliber. However probably 10 years ago, I found a .270 that suited my fancy. It is nothing fancy, and adl with a 26 " custom barrel. It has edged out my .25-06 as number two favorite. I carry the .270 a great deal for coyotes on up. It is a dandy caliber and most useful. I seldom shoot at game over 400 yards so it is pretty reliable and enjoyable to shoot. It will never replace the ,300, but lately I find my self picking it up very often..

It's all marketing.

If you own a .270, you're set. But the advertising guys want you to buy a new rifle.

I have a couple, love them!

They have tried to "replace" the 270 with short mags. And those are mostly dead now. In 100 years the 270 will still be here and I don't really like the 270, since I grew up with the 30-06. Got to respect a cartridge such as the 270 winchester though. Been alive and kicking since 1925 for a good reason.

They keep comparing every new one to the 270. That tells me a lot.

My 270 got me a deer and filled my freezer last fall so I am going to keep using it.

I'm down to just 4 of them!!

Mike

There is NOTHING wrong with the 270 Winchester!

In fact, it is simply one of the very best! Period, end of story, print!!!

270 also doesn’t get much credit in the accuracy dept since it’s seldom used as a target round. But three of my most accurate hunting rifles have been 270’s.