270 Win/ What to do?

[Fatback]

I was able to recently add a LH model 70, chambered in 270 win recently to my Winchester battery. Now I am debating on leaving it a 270 win or re-barreling it to another caliber. I already have or will soon have the following LH Model 70s

416 Rem Mag
375 H&H
300 Win Mag
30-06 Springfield

So I am debating on whether to keep the 270 a 270 or re-barrel to either a 25-06 Rem or a 280 Ackley Improved or something else??

This would have me covered for pretty much anything and everything I would ever hunt, anywhere in the world I believe. I am curious what everybody else thinks about what direction I should go with this project. I have gotten plenty of good advice from those much more knowledgeable than me on AH when it comes to rifles so I thought I would get input from y’all. Thanks.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Keep it as a 270!

 

[BeeMaa]

If it’s a pre-64, leave it. Post 1964 and do as you wish.

 

[meigsbucks]

Keep it a .270.
A 120 gr in a .25/06 has similar velocity.
A .280 AI and a .270 are very close and would almost be a duplication.

 

[Fatback]

It is not a pre 64. It is a New Haven early 2000s rifle. I am leaning towards keeping it a 270 just wanted to get some other opinions. I am a big fan of the 25-06 and have one in a Ruger M77 Mark II that is a real tack driver. I’ve never had or shot a 280 AI but have heard good things about them. Appreciate the input y’all.

 

[HuntingGold]

I have a .270, .280AI, and the .30-06. They are all .30-06 based cartridges and all fill the same "slot," albeit in slightly different ways. If it were me, I'd test it as a 270 to see if it shoots. If it shoots to say a half to three-quarters of an inch, I'd leave it as a 270. If it does not, rebarrel as the 280AI.

 

[shootist~]

280 AI all the way.

 

[poco]

If it’s not a strong shooter ( 3/4-1 moa ) I would be inclined towards a 35whelen rebarrel

 

[Fatback]

@poco,

I’ve got a 35 Whelen on the way. It is being built on a Ruger M77 Mark II rifle. I have decided that with my new 270, I am going to get my gunsmith to put a new trigger on it, bed it and free float the barrel and I’ll see what she does after that. I have had a Remington 700 chambered in 270 for 30 years now and love that rifle but adding a M70 in 270 Win was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

 

[Berettaco]

I’d leave it as a 270 - have several and it’s one of my favorite rounds. 120-150 grains for varmints to big game

 

[Mekaniks]

Keep it a 270. Find a 130 g load / bullet that it likes

 

[Tra3]

I also think it should stay a .270. Great round. Ideal for everything in NA except the bigger bears. It would also work well as a loaner rifle for a new hunter. And ammo is easy to find.

 

[JimW]

Its hard to beat a 270 for an all-around rifle. I've shot several elk with it using a 150gr partition, and many other animals using a 130 gr. bullet. I've never had a failure with good shot placement. Perhaps the best known gun writer in history used it all over the world on many animals. Like several of your rifles, it is one of the great iconic calibers.

 

[AimSmall]

Shoot it!

I get decent results with Barnes 130 ttsx, and they are deadly

 

[baxterb]

Shoot it!

I get decent results with Barnes 130 ttsx, and they are deadly

This is precisely what I shoot in mine and the groups are that good or a skosh better.

But I sympathize with the OP - I’ve thought of making it into something else…but I’m growing tired of tinkering for minimal gains.

 

[Joker12]

Neither of the 2 other choices that you are considering will do anything that a 270 won't do. Nothing is more classic in a M70 than a 270.

 

[Sarg]

I think leave as .270Win if she shoots, 280AI is slightly better with heavier bullets but you have a 30/06-300Win for the heavies !

 

[Fatback]

She stays a 270 with a few upgrades like new trigger, bedding and free floating the barrel. I’m sure it will be a shooter and look forward to giving a test run and hunting with it later this year. Appreciate the input from y’all.

 

[MontanaGrant]

Just myself I’d leave it a .270. It’s one of my favorite rounds. I admire and have used the .25-06 but .270 is more readily available if traveling. .280AI is a good round but not a huge improvement over being able to use factory .270 ammo in a pinch if needed.

i have a Winchester M70 post that was my first deer rifle, a Pre64 .270. Ruger number 1 lightweight. My next purchase is going to be either a M18 Mauser or Sauer 101 in .270 as a “modern” sporter.

 

[Rule 303]

Leave it as a 270 if it shoots well. When you wear the throat or barrel out then re barrel to what you like.