270 Winchester better than 7mm mag?

[BeeMaa]

I voted for the 270WIN because when I think of smaller calibers, I want a lighter rifle than would typically come with a magnum like the 7mmRM. Something like a nice sub 6.5# mountain rifle (scope included) for speed goats in Wyoming or hiking backcountry trails.

 

[Ragman]

It's good at a lot of stuff but not great at anything in particular.

I guess I my tastes fall into this category of gun owners. Instead of wasting my limited brain space on knowing differences of the ballistics of close calibres I would rather own one rifle that is good at everything than a bunch of specialty rifles. I prefer non-magnums but still have my 7 Rem Mag because I bought it as a kid and got attached to it. I still have my .30-30 because my Dad got it for me when I was 12 and it has sentimental value to me. I will always have my .308 because it's good at everything I will ever hunt up to moose. I feel the same way for the .270 and .30-06. If I were ever to hunt DG (which I doubt I will), I would use my PH's rifle. Love me a Jack-of-all-trades calibre!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I have read all the posts in this informative thread. It has stirred debate and provided some interesting comments. However, I feel the OP's question is somewhat off base. I own and shoot both the 270 and the 7mm RM. In between the two, I also have a 7x57 and a 30-06. Like many of you, I have guns smaller than a 270 and larger than the 7mm mag. To those that say the 270 is a tweener, you are correct. Every single caliber rifle is between two others.

So what's my point? Would anyone ask a pro golfer a question about whether he thinks his 5 iron is better than his 7 iron? Each club serves a different purpose, so there is no better or worse. Just different. There is a bit of overlap too. And under certain circumstances, you can make do with what you have. I saw a golf instructional video one time, where a club pro played three holes, a par 3, par 4 and par 5 with just a 7 iron and a putter. He put the ball on the green in regulation on the par 3 and 1 over regulation on the par 4 and par 5. He ended up playing the 3 holes in one or two over par and emphasized the importance of hitting the ball reasonably well and keeping it in the fairway (think shot placement).

Does this question make any sense? What's better, a Ford F-150 or a Ford F-350? Both are Fords so sort of the same, but one more in the car category with light hauling and the other for more serious towing/hauling/work. Different vehicles for different jobs and yes they have some overlap. Doesn't make one better or worse, just different. Of course if you are a Chevy guy, both Fords are junk.

 

[Mike Van Horn]

I have had a couple 270’s, one a custom, and a Sako. 7 mm Remington mag, in a Ruger 77. Now l have a 7mm Weatherby mag in weathermark, never going back to the others. I shoot the 165 Gamechanger, and 168 LRX.

 

[Newboomer]

Boomer, always great posts. There's a damn good reason (or 20) that one's been around since 1906...well, 1903 actually. I'd never say a bad thing about it.

I have a lengthy history with the 30-06 caliber, compliments of Uncle Sam, starting with a 1903 Springfield.Then came a Garand, a BAR, and a 30 cal mg. I had a 1917 sporterized Enfield that I should have kept. There have been others that visited for awhile, and now my MRC American Legend. I have to say this is the best fit and feel of any I've ever had, including my Garand. She's a keeper.

 

[ducmarc]

Get the 270 then one late night slip the weatherby reamer to it

 

[sgt_zim]

.280 Rem

As mentioned earlier, fantastic in-between caliber.

I've had/used one since the mid 80's as my primary rifle. Taken moose, elk, deer. Choose the right weight bullet and you've got a true multi-purpose caliber here. Ohh, used it in stands at ranges as short as 50m, and open ground to 300m. No problems at all.

My next use is for mountain goat.

I bought a 280 AI last year, just a little more umph than the standard Rem. I have a box of SAF 160 and Oryx 156 I'm going to work up loads for. If I can't get the accuracy I want out of those 2, I'll move up to the 175s.

Either way you slice it, this is a 400-500 yard rifle for elk. But, I prefer hunting a little closer than that.

 

[Hunt anything]

I just looked at the tally on the votes, I was surprised that the .270 was ahead of the 7 mag. In my circle of hunting friends the 7 mag is used bye most with a few .308 win and only 1 .270. Any thoughts from others?

 

[hawkeyesatx]

The .270 is great with average cup and core bullets, but it’s made even better when you couple it with premium bullets, and its performance is even enhanced by those premium bullets. The BC goes up and the SD is usually high enough it’ll penetrate through and through, even on elk sized game and bigger.

Hawk

 

[rdog]

I have a 270 win 25 inch bbl, 270 wsm 24 inch bbl, & a 280 REM with a 24 inch bbl, with 140 grain &150 grain bullets i do not believe you, or the game could tell the difference. The 30/06 with 150 grain bullets is also much the same. The 7 mm Rem mag & 270 WSM are hard on barrels . My pick is the 280 Rem.

 

[sgt_zim]

I have a 270 win 25 inch bbl, 270 wsm 24 inch bbl, & a 280 REM with a 24 inch bbl, with 140 grain &150 grain bullets i do not believe you, or the game could tell the difference. The 30/06 with 150 grain bullets is also much the same. The 7 mm Rem mag & 270 WSM are hard on barrels . My pick is the 280 Rem.

while true, with your 280, it would be a pretty simple matter to move up to 160 - 175 grain bullets. that isn't really an option with 270 unless you've got a barrel with about an 8 twist. Standard 10 twist in 270 would just barely stabilize a 165 NAB

 

[rdog]

while true, with your 280, it would be a pretty simple matter to move up to 160 - 175 grain bullets. that isn't really an option with 270 unless you've got a barrel with about an 8 twist. Standard 10 twist in 270 would just barely stabilize a 165 NAB

Yes my 270s are 1-10 my 280 a Weatherby mk5 is 1-9.

 

[colorado]

I love my 270, with careful handloads I get 3000 fps with the 150g Partition. Most factory loads will not crack 2800 fps (I guess they are worried about liability) The 7mm Rem Mag outperforms it, particularly with the 175g bullets. The 7mm Mag will be a little heavier and a little more recoil. Unless you're hunting the big bears it shouldn't make a difference. For brown bears the 7mm will do the job with 175g bullets. By the way they are really big!

 

[CBH Australia]

This kind of question.....
View attachment 454078

Tough choice, but of you only take one hunting your preference would show.
I would also take my .280ai

 

[CoElkHunter]

I have read all the posts in this informative thread. It has stirred debate and provided some interesting comments. However, I feel the OP's question is somewhat off base. I own and shoot both the 270 and the 7mm RM. In between the two, I also have a 7x57 and a 30-06. Like many of you, I have guns smaller than a 270 and larger than the 7mm mag. To those that say the 270 is a tweener, you are correct. Every single caliber rifle is between two others.

So what's my point? Would anyone ask a pro golfer a question about whether he thinks his 5 iron is better than his 7 iron? Each club serves a different purpose, so there is no better or worse. Just different. There is a bit of overlap too. And under certain circumstances, you can make do with what you have. I saw a golf instructional video one time, where a club pro played three holes, a par 3, par 4 and par 5 with just a 7 iron and a putter. He put the ball on the green in regulation on the par 3 and 1 over regulation on the par 4 and par 5. He ended up playing the 3 holes in one or two over par and emphasized the importance of hitting the ball reasonably well and keeping it in the fairway (think shot placement).

Does this question make any sense? What's better, a Ford F-150 or a Ford F-350? Both are Fords so sort of the same, but one more in the car category with light hauling and the other for more serious towing/hauling/work. Different vehicles for different jobs and yes they have some overlap. Doesn't make one better or worse, just different. Of course if you are a Chevy guy, both Fords are junk.

F150 gas engine=.270. F250 gas engine=7MM. F350 7.3 diesel engine=.338WM? Choose wisely grasshopper! Ha! Ha! Ha!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

F150 gas engine=.270. F250 gas engine=7MM. F350 7.3 diesel engine=.338WM? Choose wisely grasshopper! Ha! Ha! Ha!

F150 Lightning = 6.5 Creedmoor

 

[rdog]

F150 Lightning = 6.5 Creedmoor

The 6.5 CM is a good cartridge, but its all been done years ago 6.5x55, 6.5 jap, 6.5 Carcano,6.5 Mannlicher, 6.5x57 , 260 REM, 6.5 Rem mag & i am sure i missed some, shows what slick marketing
& spin can achieve. i think the 6.5x55 is= to P51 Mustang Beautiful shape, simple no bullshit required.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Bob's @Bob Nelson 35Whelen Nissan pick up truck=.Two Forty Three? Actually, he has a VERY nice truck, tricked out for hunting in the bush. Show us the photos of your truck Bob!

 

[CBH Australia]

He was thinking about getting a Mitsubishi last time I was talking to him.

 

[rdog]

He was thinking about getting a Mitsubishi last time I was talking to him.

And a 243!