20 inch barrel on a 270

[Southern]

Why the need to hop up a .270 carbine? Because it has a suppressor on a short barrel?

If it is a stutzen, like a Steyr Mannlicher, Sauer 202, Sako Mannlicher, etc, then do you really need the full potential of the .270 for 300 and 400 yard shots? Or are you using it as a short and handy rifle for the woods and mountains, where a full length bolt action would be a nuisance? A 130 gr bullet at 2,900 fps, and 140 or 150 at 2,850, will take care of business.

If you are just contemplating a carbine for such hunting, take the advice above, and go to a smaller case volume and larger bore, for a bit less loss of efficiency: 7x57, 7mm-08, .308 Win, 8x57 Mauser, or .358 Win.

I searched and searched for the "ideal" Mannlicher, in .308 Winchester. But when I finally found a beautiful Steyr M Luxus in .270 for song, I bought it. And it shoots plenty hot out to 300 yards, for anything for which I will use it. The velocities of the loads has been a pleasant surprise.

 

[ironmatt]

I've just looked at the viht load data and it says 58grns of n160 is the max load giving 3083fps from a 24.5ins barrel. I used to have a 20ins 270 and with 130grn and a maximum loads could only get around 2700 - 2750fps with n165. The best and most accurate load was 110vmax at around 3200fps.

I certainly seem to have fallen lucky then! like I said I was sceptical at first but that has been confirmed from 3 different chronos on separate occasions. I know a chap whos pushing 3000+fps with a 130 from a 20" barrelled T3 also.

 

[1894]

The more modern moderators don't need quite such short barrels. My 243 and 7-08 are 20" for jet Z. Great balance and performance. My 06 is 21" with a bigger Hausken which is shorter (and quieter) and my latest 06 23" with a shorter again Hausken that is the same damping as a jet Z.

A 20" 270 is probably akin to a 6.5x55 or 7-08 which is no bad place to be.

 

[rem284]

Deer wont tell the difference if you put the bullet in the right place, short barrel, handier rifle

 

[308mate]

thanks for the replies guys. I currently have a 6.5x55 and a 270, the 6.5 is my main stalking rifle and i got the 270 to have a more powerful cartridge should i need it foe boar, longer shooting big Stags etc so if a short 270 is reduced to similar levels as a 6.5 then theres no point. I may start looking for a lighter weight rifle in 6.5 and keep the 270 as is

 

[John Gryphon]

Unless someone has posted this it is worth a read.

The Truth About Barrel Length, Muzzle Velocity and Accuracy - The Truth About Guns