Thinking of buiding one. Does anybody have any experience with this animal. Looks like 130's at 3150fps are possible with a 22" tube. Thoughts????

Seems like 3150fps would be the top end, as you're probably just at or a hair below capacity of the 270 WCF by doing the AI treatment. 3000-3050fps seems more realistic, though with RL17 you might get good velocities. Not to discourage you, I just have to wonder "why?", as I'd be inclined to just go 7mm-08AI (though I'm a 7mm slut). Hopefully someone will chime in with firsthand knowledge of the cartridge. Good luck!

I have no personal experience, but you should try a Google search on "270 Redding". First on the list is an article by Charles E. Petty which shows 3050 FPS with 130's. The 270 Redding is pretty similar to a 270-08 AI, but uses a 30 degree shoulder. There's also an article in the "Wildcat Cartridges" book if I recall correctly.

If your not allergic to wildcats, that's one of the best IMHO.

If you handload (obviously) and don't intend to sell the rifle or pass it on to non reloading kids - I say go for it.

Otherwise the .260 or 7mm-08 will probably serve you better in the long run.

I think one on a mid 60's era SAKO L579 would be an outstanding rig to own!!

Do a search for 270-08, there's a lot of traffic on it.

lve had a few of them over the years ,this last one has a 1000 yard heart barrel on it,and using rl 22 and a 130 grain bullet lm getting well over 3250 with it,but then its 28 inches also

Sorry, but the .270-08 AI will not have anywhere near the same case capacity of the .270 Winchester, by around 8-10 grains. Let's call it 8, since that would be the optimistic guess.

The .270 Winchester itself tops out safley at around 3150 with a 130 in a 22" barrel. Using the 1-4 Rule, this means the .270-08 AI would get around 3025 fps, give or take a little.

Of course, it would be entirely possible to get 3150 o0ut of a 22" barrel. Just add more powder. I know a guy who gets over 3200 with a 140 with a 7mm-08 AI in a 20" barrel. But the pressures are also probably 70,000+.

According to the rules of internal ballistics, the .270-08 AI would beat the standard 7mm-08 by about 2% with equal bullet weights, or about 50 fps with most loads.

2% !!!

And the reason we'll never see a factory 270-08 (or AI version) - The bases are covered with the 260 & 7-08 and they'll likely feed better, resale better and hand down more usefully.

I am a huge 270 fan, but for the life of me, I can't bring myself to build the 270-08. I have looked at it numerous times, even purchased parts to start it. I have even seriously considered buying one all done up with all the extras.

The only reason I can think of to own one, is for the handling of a SA rifle. But for the few ounces difference, I'll stick with the original 270 Win.

But...unless you want something different. I'll go along with what was said above, a 7mm-08 will do the exact same thing without all the hassle.

I did break down and buy a 6.8 Rem SPC though. Not the performance of the 270-08 but it should be very enjoyable to shoot, and economical on the powder.

If you want 270 win ballistics from a short action you will need to go 270-284. Or do the logical thing 270WSM. Remember the velocity gains from an AIed case are largely from higher pressure. If you want to play with an AIed 08 case in .277" by all means do so you could have fun. But if you are going to be disappointed by only small gains in velocity over the standard case then go 284 or better yet WSM.

Just My Thoughts

8mmwapiti

P.O. Ackley reported driving a 130g bullet a maximum 3136fps with 48g of 4350. Barrel length not stated. Modern powders may improve results. But, as others have said, 3100 fps is on the high end of .270 Win loads, so I would not expect more that 3000 fps from a .270-08.

Modern bullets like to Barnes 110g TTSX change the debate, and would allow you to shoot the 110g at 3200 fps.

I've put together a lot of wildcats, this one does not make sense to me.

lol - more like the 30.06 vs. 308 argument -

short action or long action

all of us only need one rifle and shoot it til it fits like a glove and we know where it will hit.

I would have been way far ahead if I had followed this advice years ago. It would have saved me lots of money, but I sure enjoy setting up and shooting different rifles.

For fun, why not, but I lean toward others in practicality.

BT, I kick myself selling an L579 pre-G, had plans to do a 6.5/308 prior to the 260....would have been sweet!

If One likes the .277 bullets, and wants to load those sexy yellow tipped NBTs, go for it.

But its all wildcat, w/cons, and few pros. As to performance, I'd not expect much over 3k, AI'd or not, the 7/08 will top around 3k w/130s and it's a higher expansion ration, marginally. Could be a few fps would be added w/10 ROT vs. a 9" in .288 but if you look at say 300 and 400 yds drop, speed, and energy w/260, 7/08, and 270 AI, I think they'd be close enough to spit. No animal IMHO would know the diff.

NOW if the 270-08 were Saami'd, I'd chose one every day of the week myself over the 270 WCF 'long' but for a SA, the WSM already in ready made rifles/ammo is not a bad option. Likely stomp the '08 by a decent meaningful measure if one is up for the accompanied blast/recoil/ammo prices. Just my .02

In itself, the 270-08 is a nice round, but as the 7/08, 6.5-08, I'd go non AI for less 'forming' to save bbl life and time and better feeding. A non AI should be a little slicker IMHO on feeding.

Had a 6TCU long ago, but if today wanting a 6 - 223, I'd build a straight 6x45 as the 'ai' gives little diff in speeds. Case stretch should not be bad on the 270-08.

All considered, if one just wants a rifle in a cartridge that is far from mainstream, go for it, it's a good one. As uncommon as something like a 25 BR, but giving worthy performance, both of them.

The question really is, to go 'Wildcat' or K.I.S.S. As I age, it's nice to K.I.S.S. Love my 130 AB loads in 260 and 6.5x55, mild yet effective. If I am not successful, another 200 fps or more will not change the outcome, for how I hunt.

Good luck and if you WANT something different, go for it.

I find a lot of utility in 308 based cartridges with a load of 30 grains of Powder in the RL 7 to RL 10 burn rate, which I include IMR 4198, Sr 4759 ( 25 grains), H 322, IMR 3031.. this combined with light to mid weight bullets.. Gives better than 30/30 ranges, while using 30/30 powder capacity. 200 to 250 yds, which is the useful hunting ranges in the real world....

playing with a New Marlin XL 7, in 270.. I get the same, but a little more finicky and requiring a little more powder...just doesn't seem as balanced then as the short actions do..

with bullet weights in 270 from 90 to 160 grains ( 260 range also), I see a utility with a 270/08 with those 30 grain charges, and bullets from 90 to 130 grains..

however working with the 260 and the 7/08.. both cover the same spots and bullet weights, with more bullet availability..

but a 270/08 makes as much sense as do the other two cartridges.

but I think the 308 case or the 250 Savage case are some pretty well balanced rifle cases, regardless of their bore diameter...

2400 fps for hunting MV's fits where I hunt just fine..
smaller bullet weights give me 2700 fps or so, which also works just fine..

I consider about 99.99999 % of all my hunting takes place under 250 yds.. and those velocities fit right in there..

Seafire, I'd venture to say 99% of WT deer are taken under 250, or darned close.

An efficient cartridge or load combo that gives say, 6.5 Grendel ballistics would be just fine, and very enjoyable. I have read seemingly reliable posts on other sites where they kill deer and elk MUCH further. Not condoning, just saying.

Odds, are most hunters are over gunned in terms of raw power and should keep the focus on what I consider the 2 most important variables:

1) Shot Placement

2) Bullet selection per velocity window on impact considering game pursued.

The first one is ALWAYS in MY experience enhanced or in the least not hindered when using highly shootable rounds which don't kick the snot out of you or blast your ears.

My deer this year dropped w/6mm BR and 95 NBTs. Likely more power yet....than NEEDED.

I do realize there are instances one NEEDS a more powerful gun, but for average hunters after deer which consumes a majority of NA hunting, the above 2 criteria I believe are 99% of the equation to success.

I can say I have never really enjoyed 7mm Mags and the like, but 6mm BRs and 7mm BRs have been the most fun, with 260, 6.5x55, and 7/08 coming in next.

Some day Seafire I will get a 250-3000, std. or AI, just because (well maybe I have to admit a liking to those blue tipped NBTs..)

I've been through all those same contortions concerning a 270-08..........I'm just sticking with the 06 Improved...

Casey

I seriously doubt it.....just sayin'

Just go 284 Win on a short action; 120 TTSX....no?

l must say after building these 270-08 AI rifles l can say l would have been better off buying a 270 700 bdl,l put a lot of money into the one with the hart barrel even though it performs well with the 130 nosler flatbase it does not like bullets any heavier and the one l built with the 24 inch barrel was a flop for any speed at all and yet l see on the Savage shooter forum they have a 270-08 AI update and the speeds they say their getting out of a 22 inch short tube is almost up to mine with a 28 inch tube,but pressures don't look to healthy? well l guess l could ream the hart barreled one into something else

Sounds like an expensive way to [bleep] up a 7-08.



Travis

Yup!

His name is Hardway...no offence hardway

The round would do best IMO w light monos made for the 6.8
But yes you lose BC if long shots are in the plan.

I'm having a 270 Redding built now, on a Savage 99 platform. I don't think your AI is gonna get 3100fps out of a 22" pipe,...and keep safe pressures.

This is not my first custom build, but it is my first real wildcat (22BR is almost not a wildcat anymore). Redding says it's 26 weeks for a set of dies..and they created the cartridge! Plus the dies cost as much as the barrel blank! (...plus the cost of the one-off reamer, etc, etc)

All of the appeal, for me, is about having the only one on the block..., plus I think it's gonna be an effective whitetail cartridge (but I already have a 99 in 284win...so again, it's about having something unique)

All the arguments about it's place in a full stable of mid range short actions are valid (with 7-08, 260, 270 WSM all SAAMI'd). The cons of wildcats are that they're either expensive or need constant tweaks (feeding issues, forming brass).

And when there are so many standard choices, why bother?...You pays your money, you makes your choice. But will it be worth the cost of two or three standard rifles?

Wow! When I get to 3200 with 120 ballistic tips the primer pocket loosens at around five reloads. I think my barrel ended at 23" after setting it back for the AI. miles

The 270-08 is as legitimate as most other wildcats......most are from passion, not need. Why build a 6.5 SAUM when you have a 264 Win Mag......and already have the 270 WSM?

Amazing selection of 130g bullets designed for 270 Win speeds so why wouldn't they work great around 3,000 fps out of a 270-08? Just as good and maybe slightly better than the 140g bullet out of the 7mm-08 so it can't be a bad thing. And if you want to run heavy bullets, you have all the 150g class to choose from. Also some lightweight options including a lightweigt Barnes if that is your thang.

I can't remember when I got my 270-08 reamer; early 80's, I think. I recalled Ackley thought quite highly of it and it looked like a good way to shoot 270 bullets from a short action. I suppose I've built a half dozen or so and all those for whom I built them were happy. I made up one more complicated wildcat which featured a 45 degree shoulder pushed forward about .050" (I was young and didn't know any better). Christened the 270 Firefly, it performed much like a 270-08 but allowed the shooter to go to considerably more trouble forming brass.
I think the 270-08 is a decent cartridge though I freely admit there is nothing to recommend it over the 7mm-08 except a feeling of exclusivity. GD

Greydog, How did your earlier 308 based wildcats feed out of box magazines? I have a M-98 Mauser up at my G.S. right now, to be re-chambered to a new, over bored, short wildcat, based on the 300 RCM. My justification is to get my rifle to feed decently. The present Rem6mmBR is strictly a single shot, in a bolt action repeater.

I want to go after varmints and long range deer and antelope with this rifle. Dave Kiff, of PT&G, and I figured that putting in a severe case taper, and necking down to 6mm, would elongate it to 55mm from the 300 RCM parent's 53mm. But it's only neat, if it works. Working in my Shilen 1 in 14 twist barrel, will be stabilizing a flat based 100 gr. spitzer bullet. Until I get some fired brass, I don't even know what its capacity will be.

Like the old saying goes, Hind sight is 20-20. But you don't see the back end when you start one of these wildcat projects. You make your best calculations and just go with them. One of my earlier wildcats, the 44 Marsh was dogging along until Hornady came out wtih their 265gr. Gummie Tips. Now, its a really neat 94 Win. carbine, which can take down an Elk, out to 200 yards. But the next one will have a half Oct. barrel, 24 inches long. This thing weighs and balances like a "John Wayne" M-92 Winchester, but kicks like a Marlin Guide Gun, which also wasn't available when I created the 44 Marsh, with a 1 in 20 twist .428" barrel. I got tired of waiting for a quick twist 444 Marlin.

all you guys have good advice. I have been tinkering with wildcats for years and am fond of my 25-308. I was so impressed with the vol. that I always thought 277 would be great combo. as someone said "this wildcat doesn't make sense" well show me one that does. the factory offerings pretty much has it covered. wildcats are to fill a niche, mostly in our minds. I mean really 257 ak what does it do that 25-06 wont..
as for my opinion I love messing with wildcats and forming brass and all the tinkering involved. keeps me out of the bar.
I hope to see you do it so we can follow your progress.. this wildcat isn't about max vol rather efficiency. which will show respectable vol for its size.. if you are after more vol you will need more powder..

You're going to have a helluva time getting a 100 grain bullet to stabilize in a 14 twist.

You might think about tripping the barrel and coming up with at least a 9 twist.

There's one vote against it.

I shoot a 270 Titus, or 270/300 Savage and while I love the rifle, I don't see any real world advantage to the cartridge. I'd go 270 Redding like JeffG and feel like I was [bleep]' in tall corn!!! My Titus is cool, but it's basically a glorified coyote rifle, or a deer rifle. I shoot 110's or 115's in it due to the short neck. Another reason the Redding is better.

But, what a better round to [bleep] up

I've owned two 7-08ai's, one of which the wife is still shooting. MD is right on - probably around 3025-3050 fps with a 130 gr pill and a 22" barrel is a realistic velocity expectation in a 270-08ai. I'd say go 7-08ai, like BobinNH suggests. A 120 gr TTSX at 3180-3200 fps is safe load with a couple of different powders (this is in a 24" barrel). That's what the wife is shooting and it is all she will probably ever shoot, regardless of the game we're chasing.

Why not just simply AI a .260 and load 130 NAB's? You quote the 130 .277 bullet so my guess is you are looking to stay at the lighter end of the .277 scale?

Just my opinion, but there is plenty of flexibility with the Nosler and Scenar offerings in .264 cal.

No trick to push 130's at 3100 in a 308 either, just for conversation. One could still stamp the barrel 270-08AI if it helped.

I'd be more interested in your .300 Savage with 130TTSX...

Do you get 3k out of that rig?

Nipping its heels.

I'm planning on building a 270/08 with a 9 twist barrel in the near future so I can give the long range 150 Accubond a try.

The only thing I plan to do a little different is I'm going to deep chamber my 270/08 to accept 270 win brass for a significant increase.. I'm thinking its going to be pretty impressive for a 270/08!

Shod

Sounds like a great idea - oughta be able to break 2900 in that rig Wonder why no ones thought of that before?

I prefer the 270x57AI Mauser better. A 270/284 wouldn't be half bad though. Nothing the 6.5 couldn't replicate but still just as fun...

W

From Hodgon's web site Plan jane 7-08 good enough.
Bullet Weight (Gr.) Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure


130 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H4350 .284" 2.800" 47.0 2871 43,000 CUP 50.0C 2998 47,400 CUP
130 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H414 .284" 2.800" 44.0 2761 40,900 CUP 47.0 2925 50,000 CUP
130 GR. SIE HPBT IMR IMR 4350 .284" 2.800" 45.0 2730 41,200 CUP 47.0C 2846 46,300 CUP
130 GR. SIE HPBT Winchester 760 .284" 2.800" 44.0 2761 40,900 CUP 47.0 2925 50,000 CUP
130 GR. SIE HPBT IMR IMR 4007 SSC .284" 2.800" 43.0 2739 37,000 CUP 47.5C 3040 50,300 CUP
130 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H380 .284" 2.800" 45.0 2804 41,900 CUP 47.0 2934 45,700 CUP
130 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon CFE 223 .284" 2.800" 41.9 2765 37,300 CUP 45.5 2957 47,800 CUP
130 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Varget .284" 2.800" 40.0 2830 43,400 CUP 43.5 3004 50,100 CUP
130 GR. SIE HPBT IMR IMR 4320 .284" 2.800" 40.0 2709 43,200 CUP 42.5 2863 50,100 CUP
130 GR. SIE HPBT IMR IMR 4064 .284" 2.800" 39.0 2711 39,600 CUP 41.7 2890 49,900 CUP
130 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon BL-C(2) .284" 2.800" 41.5 2857 44,000 CUP 44.2 2989 49,800 CUP
130 GR. SIE HPBT IMR IMR 4895 .284" 2.800" 40.0 2759 43,300 CUP 42.4 2801 50,000 CUP
130 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H335 .284" 2.800" 37.0 2690 44,800 CUP 39.0 2809 49,500 CUP
130 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H4895 .284" 2.800" 39.5 2824 43,500 CUP 42.0 2957 50,200 CUP
130 GR. SIE HPBT IMR IMR 8208 XBR .284" 2.800" 39.1 2755 42,600 CUP 41.6 2922 50,400 CUP
130 GR. SIE HPBT IMR IMR 3031 .284" 2.800" 37.0 2709 42,400 CUP 39.5 2860 50,000 CUP
130 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Benchmark .284" 2.800" 37.0 2701 41,500 CUP 39.8 2861 50,200 CUP