Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles USRAC M70 for everything

.270 Win., because, well...

'Merica!




GR

I have a usrac m70 fwt in 6.5x55 don't know why I'd trade it for either...mb

Do tell, Brad?

Always an ear for your thoughts on rifles.

So easy. The .270. Never shoot it, but instead send directly to JES for 9.3x62 rebore. Then go hunt anything.

Guess we have to ask, everything in VA, or worldwide?

Well since we already have a pre 64 Featherweight in 308 I'll go with that one

I have both in the modern M70 - Kimber Montana. I haven't shot the latest 270 but have killed a pile of critters with the 308. The Kimber MT 308 is close to Nirvana for a big game rifle. I switched to 150 gr monos this year in the 308 and run them at 2900. I only shot 3 animals (1 elk, 2 deer) but will be investing in a substantial amount of 150 gr etips - as soon as Nosler decides to make more.

The 270 129 LRX shoots a good bit flatter but not 150 gr/0.277 bullets driven by anything other than Re26. Re 26 turns the 270 into another cartridge. My last 270 easily got 3000 with 150 gr Partitions. Elk and deer didn't much like that combo. But in a light rifle, the 0.277/1503000 combo will let you know it when it goes off.

Mostly the 270 will get 2900 with a 150. Sound familiar? Due to higher BC of 0.277/150, it will shoot a little bit flatter at 500 than the 150/0.308 but I likely am not a good enough marksman to capitalize on the 1-5 inch advantage (depending on bullet and associated BC) at 500 the 270/150 offers. Plus the 308 will be shorter and lighter - in Kimbers, the way I set them up, it's 1/2 lb difference and a good 2 inches shorter.

Neither is a bad choice but if someone held a gun to my head, for all of the big game hunting I do, the 308, specifically a Kimber MT 308 would get the pick. But I'd be happy with a 270 which is why I own both. A 270 set up to shoot 129/130 monos at 3100 shoots flat - flat enough for me and does offer an advantage I can use. And at a recoil level that won't modify your eyebrows. I'll likely use the 270/129 LRX all next year to see what I think. I have a bunch of WY antelope points that need used before they screw up the WY NR tags.

308 for me. I'll never be able to take advantage of the 270's flatter trajectory, but I can take advantage of the 308 more reliable ammo supply.

I have two of them in the closet. One an 06 and the other a 300WM. Both are so smooth it's unreal. Sending the 06 to my guy for the stock trim down and reshape. Thinking to have the factory barrel copied into a new 06 and trim to 23 inches. I have a barrel band sling swivel already and just need some sights. Budget working type rifle build I guess but bad medicine for.most things.

A recent bad experience with a high end rifle and cartridge brings home the fun fact that reliability and availability trumps panache when the planets line up with Murphy's Law... which brings me to the reliability of the M70 and availability of 270/308...

Since I’m never gonna be rafting down Alaskan rivers or crawling around in the desert, the complicated trigger isn’t an issue for me. That leaves the splined bolt handle as a potential weak point, but that seems to rarely be an issue, and home for another rifle is a short trip.

As bluefish said, mine is very slick, comparable to my Fieldcraft. The striker spring issue caused first accuracy problems, then misfires, but the new spring they sent fixed both. Now it shoots like a .308 oughta.

Very nice rifle at 7lbs 12oz with a 3-9 Accupoint.

You have a rifle that was a POS right out of the gate and you talk it up? OK.. carry on.

John, I've had several EW's. A 300 WSM I had was one of the most consistently accurate out of the box rifles I've ever owned. An Ernies trigger spring kit turns the MOA trigger into a 2.75lb joy. I want to have a couple 6.5 CM's on hand for the future, and the EW seems like a great place to put money. I'll likely restock it in something lighter and more svelt, but the factory stock isn't too bad, ugly splatter paint job aside.

People have mentioned the cartridges, now I'm going to suggest featherweight rifles. They handle better and don't need much right from the factory. Your choice of USRAC trumps the Browning rifles. I'd also suggest 5 or 6 digit classic. Find a nice stainless/walnut rifle and go forth and kill schidt or sit at the bench and enjoy nice tight groups.

Brad,
I share your same thoughts and opinions of the BACO rifles. I have a 50/50 split of New Haven classics and BACOs. My EW 308 is now a 358 Win deer and bear killing machine that someday I'll invest in a lighter stock for.

Thanks, Dinny

I'd go with a 308. The shorter action is eager to mount a scope to my liking.

POS? That’s a bit extreme for a simple spring problem don’t you think?

Compared to the two USRACs my sons owned, it’t a peach. They were clearly slapped together with little care.

Every review of the current M70s I’ve read has been positive, glowing even, concerning their quality. Those carry more weight with me than the grumblings of a cranky old internet goober, -that’s you by the way.

.270 Win for me. I love the 150gr Nosler Partition and with that bullet there isn’t much one can’t do with larger game.