.270 Winchester. A cartridge almost thrice in age than most people reading this. Introduced in 1925 and created by chopping off some neck from the .30-06 Springfield.
It has been renowned as a deer cartridge. Scouting through claims, facts, and stories, this article will guide you through the story of .270 Win and the best hunting rifles chambered in that caliber today.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for .270 Hunting Rifles
- OUR TOP PICK: Ruger American Rifle Standard Bolt-Action Rifle
- RUNNER-UP: Tikka T3X Lite Stainless Steel Bolt-Action Rifle
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Browning X-Bolt Composite Stalker Bolt-Action Rifle
Comparison of the Best 270 Hunting Rifles
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How Do I Choose a .270 Hunting Rifle?
Now that you’re aware about the ballistics of a .270. It’s time to check out the ideal qualities of a .270 hunting rifle. The caliber has been around for a while and there are quite a few good rifles that meet the standards.
Lightweight and Ergonomic Design
A .270 rifle is a hunting rifle most of the time. Unless you are honing your skills, or just spending the weekend at the range. One very important prerequisite of a hunting rifle is the lightweight design. Since it’ll have to be carried over distances for scouting. Ergonomics is also an important factor as it decides the level of comfort while holding the gun in different stances.
Rugged Construction
Good and solid construction is imperative since the rifle will be seeing woods and snow a lot. A synthetic stock is a good feature and will also reduce the overall care & maintenance effort for the rifle.
Photo credit: pewpewtactical.com
Easy Scope Counting & Trigger Setting
Make sure the rifle you choose is drilled and tapped for scope mounts. Or has a setup that easily accepts optics. Since it is a hunting rifle, it won’t live without a scope. Many rifles come with an adjustable trigger. It is no doubt a useful feature if not immensely important.
Short Barrel and Compact Design
A short barrel helps with maneuverability. Given the fact that the .270 is not a useful extra long range round and will mostly be used within 500 yards. A short and compact design rifle will offer better handling.
Review of the Best .270 Hunting Rifles
As with any other popular caliber, the market is heaped with options for .270 hunting rifles. We have compiled a list of the best of these rifles depending upon the factors mentioned above. While also keeping economics right under the tab.
Best Overall:
Ruger American Rifle Standard Bolt-Action Rifle
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The Ruger American is a great buy for the price. It is a stout, pretty reliable, and exceptionally accurate rifle for its class. The rifle shoots 1 MOA groups with the right ammo and is easy to handle. Some users, however, didn’t like the trigger very much due to personal taste.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is a sub-$500 rifle that has been designed to withstand harsh treatment of weather and shooting conditions. The American is a very simple rifle with an amazing bolt. The fact that it can be loaded or unloaded with the safety engaged makes overall operation slightly simpler.
The rifle has an adjustable trigger that’ll impress most users. The 70 degrees bolt doesn’t disturb the scope and favors wrist cycling. The visible and audible cocking indicator is also a small but useful feature.
Bottom Line
The Ruger American is an affordable, adjustable, and very accurate rifle for hunting. It will handle harsh treatment and is suitable for taking short or long range shots. You might need to polish the bolt a bit to achieve smoother cycling. Plus, trigger replacement for advanced experience.
Runner-up:
Tikka T3X Lite Stainless Steel Bolt-Action Rifle
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Almost every user is a fan of the smooth cycling bolt in the Tikka T3x. The rifle itself is very ergonomic to handle and very accurate even right out of the box. This is a no frills rifle that works as intended and doesn’t exert unnecessary pressure on your wallet.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Tikka T3x has many shades. This rifle is used for hunting to long range precision shooting matches. There are two factors that facilitate that. The exceptional accuracy and smooth cycling action. The T3x has been built to tight tolerances and chances are that most buyers would never have to call customer care.
The adjustable trigger is not a mere feature-fad and very useful. The safety is not overdone, and the 75 degrees bolt lift is a time and scope saver too.
Bottom Line
The T3x is a rifle that’ll last with you for a long time to come as your favorite hunting gun. The rifle can be tossed around in your truck, traveled through the woods, and undergo harsh treatment. But it will still perform well.
Best for the Money:
Browning X-Bolt Composite Stalker Bolt-Action Rifle
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Browning has stood true to its reputation for manufacturing high-quality firearms with this X-bolt series. Designed to achieve long range accuracy, this rifle is very stable and smooth to cycle. The recoil mitigation is okay, but you may need to replace it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Browning X-bolt stalker is a tough gun with a composite stock with glass bedding for the receiver. The barrel is free-floated for uncompromising accuracy and also crowned. The trigger is exceptionally clean and crisp right out the box and also offers ample adjustment to suit your tastes.
The 60 degrees bolt lift is very short and allows for quicker cycling. The detachable rotary mag helps with faster reloading as well. The entire finish is anti-glare, ensuring not to spook away the game.
Bottom Line
A good rifle with enough features to tackle any hunting situation. The rifle is accurate enough to be used in matches. The stock is very durable and the ergonomics is great. The barrel, bolt lift angle, and trigger are the best parts of this rifle.
Best 270 Deer Hunting Rifle:
Winchester Model 70 Featherweight Bolt-Action Rifle
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
A negative review is almost impossible to come by for this legendary rifle. Every person who bought the rifle is extremely satisfied with it. The accuracy, trigger, aesthetics, weight, everything falls in a perfect line. Recoil is very manageable, and you can always add a recoil pad if you like.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The rifle was used by the famous gun writer Jack O'Connor. The man who popularized the .270 Win caliber and used it for over 40 years. There’s close to nothing that can go wrong with this rifle. Once you find out what ammo she likes, you’ll be hitting sub-MOA groups all day long. The traditional hardwood stock looks great.
This rifle uses a pre-64’ claw extractor that makes ejection flawless. It has a three-position safety and the crisp and clean trigger break is just awesome. All this rifle needs is a good piece of optic and you can accurately hunt down game anywhere across the planet.
Bottom Line
Winchester Model 70 is the kind of gun you’ll want to pass on to your future generations with a sense of peace and relaxation in your mind. It will need slight care for the checkered wooden stock. Everything else is perfect and it’s the most renowned .270 rifle out there.
Editor's Pick:
Browning AB3 Composite Stalker Bolt-Action Rifle
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The Browning AB3 is a genuine entry-level rifle with a no-frills design and is capable of delivering optimal accuracy. The AB3 stalker is better than many other popular rifles in its price range. Many seasoned hunters were using it as an ‘extra rifle’ for some specific game. But overall, everybody was happy with what they got for the price.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The AB3 is a very affordable rifle that has been built to high standards. It is not a $1,000 rifle delivering multiple design features and great aesthetics. But it is certainly better than many other rifles in its class. The AB3 has a good ergonomic stock, optimal accuracy, and a short rotating bolt for quick cycling.
Some people will act finicky about the plastic components, but neither of them malfunctions even under tough conditions.
Bottom Line
A well-built and good looking .270 hunting rifle for people who want Browning’s quality on a budget. The rifle exceeds the value for its price and is extremely lightweight at only 6.13 lbs. The trigger, guard, and mags are polymer but don’t hinder performance.
How Accurate is a 270 Hunting Rifle?
Let’s understand this with numbers. The .270 Winchester round has an average ballistic coefficient ranging between 0.337 to 0.508 and an average supersonic range of 1,100 yards.
Curdling more numbers, a 130 grain .270 bullet fired at 3,000 fps muzzle velocity from a rifle zeroed at 100 yards drops 3.03 inches at 200 yards, 11.59 inches at 300 yards, and 50.9 inches at 500 yards. That’s slightly faster and flatter when we compare it against its parent .30-06 165 grain round.
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The .270 Win retains about 940 fpe at 500 yards and is very accurate within that range. Considering that most hunting will be done in the 200-300 yard distance.
Comparison Overview
This article won’t be considered complete unless we compare the .270 to some other similar and widely popular hunting cartridges.
270 vs 308
The .270 vs .308 debate often gets heated up. Especially when idealistic folks join the discussion table. But, we’ll just keep it simple. The .308 has been around for more than six decades now and is a battle-proven military caliber. The .270 on the other hand is older in design and is more renowned as a hunting cartridge.
The .308 shoots a bigger and heavier bullet compared to the .270. But in a more compact case.
The .270 is a marginally less recoil round. But for a general overview, the .308 works better with heavy loads and the .270 with lighter loads (130 gr).
For example, the .308 performed better in terms of energy and drop over a distance of 500 yards, when compared with a .270 150 grain cartridge. But the lighter .270 Win (130 gr.) was flatter and had higher energy.
270 vs 308 For Elk
Both these rounds are good for bringing down Elk. However, the .270 requires slightly better shot placement and little less penetration power. But the difference isn’t significant to choose one over the other. Although most users would prefer the .308.
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308 vs 270 For Deer
The .270 is a good option for deer, especially with lighter bullets. Since you don’t need too much energy to bring down a deer and the lesser recoil and flatter trajectory are also helpful factors.
6.5 Creedmoor vs 270
The good ‘ol .270 is the grandpa of the 6.5 Creedmoor that fought in WWII and doesn’t rely too much on technology. If you already own a .270, there’s nothing more than a 6.5 Creedmoor that can do extra for you.
The .270 shoots flatter with more energy and velocity on short, medium, or even long range. The 6.5 Creedmoor is not far behind in difference, but an edge is an edge. However, the latter has lesser drift and achieves performance close to the .270 with a shorter length. That conclusion was made comparing the same weight bullets from these calibers.
6.5 Creedmoor vs 270 For Elk
The 6.5 Creedmoor offers better BC than the .270 and has more research behind its development. However, an elk will never notice the difference within the normal hunting range. Both these rounds are equally decimating for elk and similar sized game.
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270 vs 30-06
The .270 is a necked down version of the 30-06 and uses the same parent case. Both these cartridges are used in long actions and have the maximum authorized length of 3.34”. The .270 is mostly loaded with lighter bullets, whereas you’ll always find .30-06 with 150 grains or heavier bullets. The .270 shoots flatter, but the .30-06 has more energy.
270 vs 30-06 Recoil
The comparison of recoil is subjective to factors like the bullet weight and rifle’s weight. The .270 offers lesser recoil and also allows you to choose a more lightweight rifle for your hunts.
7mm-08 vs 270
The 7mm-08 was introduced on the market in the ’80s whereas the .270 is a much older cartridge developed in the ’20s. The 7mm-08 was created by necking down the .308 cartridge to accept the smaller 7mm diameter bullet.
The .270 is the necked down version of the famous 30-06 cartridge and uses the .30-03 parent case. Both the .270 and 7mm-08 are known for their flat shooting trajectory. The difference in every comparison factor between these two rounds is just marginal.
The 7mm-08 case is shorter than the .270, holds the lesser powder, and operates at a slightly lesser pressure. The 7mm-08 has marginally lower recoil, but the .270 shoots marginally faster. There’s no point in comparing the number because the difference is never more than 5-10%.
Since the basic context is hunting, the .270 round has a slight edge over the 7mm-08 round in terms of stopping power and energy. But then, both these calibers have a variety of ammo options. Overall, the game or even the shooter won’t notice the difference.
Photo credit: shootingtimes.com
How to Clean a .270 Bolt Action Rifle
Bolt action rifles are the easiest to clean. Since they don’t have too many parts. Plus, if you decide not to disassemble the bolt, things get even simpler. Let’s take a step by step overview of how you should clean a .270 bolt action rifle. You’ll need a good gun cleaning kit, cleaning solvents, and a few paper patches.
- Make sure your rifle is void of any ammo and keep any ammo lying on the table aside. Safety is very imperative.
- Refer to the rifle's manual one how to pull out the bolt. Many rifles have a small button ahead of the trigger. Once you learn about it, pull the bolt out.
- There’s no need to remove the receiver from the stock. If you’re very desperate, you may go ahead and use a screwdriver to disassemble the stock. But it’s not necessary.
- Now take a bore cleaning rod and equip it with a cleaning solvent dipped swab. Insert the rod from the breech end and make the swab protrude from the muzzle. Pull the rod back out, change the swab, and repeat a couple of times more.
- Now take a bore brush of .270 inches in diameter, mount it on your rod and pass it through your barrel from the breech end. Cleaning up any residue that’s left.
- Reiterate the swab cleaning step with solvent dipped and dry swabs. Inspect the barrel visually to ensure it’s clean.
- Now take the cleaning solvent and wipe all the interior and exterior surfaces of the rifle. For bolt disassembly, refer to your manual or this video:
Conclusion
The .270 caliber has been around for about a century now and is the favorite caliber of deer hunters and also seasoned long range hunters. A rifle chambered in .270 doesn’t need to be heavy due to its already little recoil. But the rifle should be accurate enough to do justice with the potential of this amazing flat-shooting caliber.
People Also Ask
The .270 Winchester is an old breed of cartridges that have been around for many years. It is also quite popular even today. Which eventually raises some doubts in the minds of prospective buyers new to the caliber. Check out the FAQs below for absolute answers.
What is a 270 Rifle?
A rifle chambered in the .270 Winchester caliber is called a 270 rifle in a common tongue. These are mild-recoiling rifles that have been around for about a century and perfect for beginner hunters.
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How Much is a 270 Rifle?
A 270 rifle can cost as low as $350 and can go all the way up to $2,000 or maybe even more depending upon the brand and action you choose.
Is a .270 Rifle Good For Deer Hunting?
A .270 rifle is perfect for deer hunting. These rifles have earned the reputation of being deer hunting rifles due to their low recoil, accuracy, and good trajectory over medium range.
How Far Will a .270 Kill a Deer?
A .270 retains about 940-foot pounds of energy at 500 yards. The minimally acceptable standard for killing a deer is 100 fpe. However, the drop at that range is very significant. So it's better to stick below that range unless you’re sure of hitting the target. As for energy, it can kill a deer out to 1000 yards.
Is a .270 More Powerful Than a 308?
No. A .270 is not more powerful than the .308 due to the difference in weight. The .270 shoots flatter, but the .308 has more energy (about 200 fpe difference every 100 yards). The .308 however, is a shorter cartridge.
Photo credit: thebiggamehuntingblog.com
How Much Does a .270 Drop at 100 Yards?
If a .270 rifle has been zeroed at 26 yards, the bullet will hit approximately 1.4 inches high at 100 yards. With a 26 yard zero, a .270 rifle has a 6-inch hit zone from 0 to 310 yards.
Does a .270 Shoot Flat?
The .270 shoots flatter than its parent cartridge, the .30-06. A 130 grain .270 bullet fired from a rifle zeroed at 100 yards drops 3.03 inches at 200 yards, 11.59 inches at 300 yards, and 50.9 inches at 500 yards.
