.270 Weatherby

[Scott Fisher]

I am considering buying a .270 Weatherby accromark.  I was at Gander Mountain today and looked at one of these fine firearms.  The price did not seem to bad considering the fit and finish, and also the fact that Weatherby's are made of machined steel parts.  I have always been a fan of the .270 Win. and I have shot a truck load of deer with that caliber.  I have a hunting buddy who lives in Montana who shoots a custom made .270 Weatherby.  He has taken a lot of game with his rifle including several elk and swears by this caliber.  I was with him once when he shot an elk with a 130 grain X-bullet and it literally took that huge animal right off his feet!  I am a handloader so I could tailor a load for any type of game I am pursuing.  The .270 Weatherby can be loaded anywhere between a hot .270 Win. to a hand held lazer range finder.  When you look at the ballistics of this round it is surprizing that the .270 Weatherby is not more popular.  This round shoots incredibly flat and hits like a sledge hammer.  I hunt deer, black bear, and elk every now and again and I feel this caliber can handle what ever I point it at.  Has anyone had any good or bad experience with this round.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

My buddy has custom ultralight in .270wby that has taken all kinds of game and made some exceptional long range shots on pronghorns and such.

You might want reconsider getting the Accumark though----they weigh a TON!!!-----Take a close look at the Ultralight instead.

[safetysheriff]

I have no experience with the Weatherby .270.     But I'd like to submit the following for your consideration:

Because you handload you should be familiar with load density (and its effect on accuracy), working pressures, barrel life, etc.etc.     The Weatherby is a dandy, I would guess, for someone who can either afford to replace barrels or does not need/want to fire too many rounds in one session.    I take the Speer #11 manuals verbage to be reasonable in this regard because of their experience over the years........and would go with a .270 Winchester instead.    When I get my hands on an accurate rifle I enjoy shooting it frequently, and at the bench - where the rounds can take a toll on a barrels life if it's hot-rodded too much.   I tend to put a lot of rounds through a rifle in a day at the bench....

If you like to shoot a lot of rounds, and like to shoot frequently, then I'd say that you should look for a good 24 to 26 inch-barreled bolt action and then handload it with either 4350 or 4831  powders by Hodgdon or IMR to achieve some fantastic velocities and accuracy.    The projectiles that you use will have a Whole Lot to do with your results, as does velocity, of course.     You will have to find out what powders, brass, and projectiles work best in your rifle.     Not a bad assignment -- if you ask me!

Is it possible that a CZ 550 American Classic with its 25.6" long, free-floated barrel, and target crown would be what you're after?  

Take care.

SS'

ps: A custom rifle like your friend's might have been lapped for the ultimate in accuracy and velocity; and the IMR and Hodgdon powders have differing load data.    Please keep these things in mind.

[Scott Fisher]

Its funny you should mention barrel length when talking about the .270 Win.  In the April 2003 issue of Handloader magazine on page 18 is an article called "The .270 Winchester Long."  written by John Barsness.  He had a Remington 700 rebarreled with a 26-inch chromemoly Shaw barrel to find out how much velocity could be gained with a longer barrel.  Barsness started with 130 gr. Hornady SST's and Hodgdon H-4831.  At 60 grs. the chronograph averaged 3,336 fps at 15 feet (about 3,350 at the muzzle).  Group size was .56 center to center.  He next loaded up some 130 gr. Nosler partitions with 60 grains of H-4831 and got 3,285 fps and a group which measured .59 of an inch.  With 150 gr. Hornady spiral points and 57 grs. of H-4831 the group was under an inch and the velocity was just over 3,100 fps.  The .270 Win. turns into a magnum with a 26 inch barrel.  I have a chronograph and I have seen a 100 fps plus velocity gain between a 22 and a 24 inch barrel.  There has been a lot of hype over the new .270 WSM, but I don't see why after reading this article.  I will check out the CZ rifles. From what I have herd they are nicely made.  Another option is to buy a Ruger No. 1, which comes with a 26 inch barrel or get an action and have it rebarreled to 26 inches, which turns an ordinary .270 Win into something special.   Decisions - decisions - decisions?

[copp]

Have 2 rifles in 270 win and 3 in 270 wsm. Federal for an example has a 270 wsm 150 gr partition load listed at I believe 3160 from 24 inch barrel which should be about 3260 from 26 inch barrel. These barrel lengths are available for the 270 wsm and one of mine is a 26 incher. Short action for the wsm. Have used the 270 win for 40 yrs but 270 wsm is generally very accurate and pulls ahead of the 270 win with the heavier bullets. Actually the 270 wsm can beat the weatherby in some loads.

[Lawdog]

Scott Fisher,

Between my son and I we own all three .270's(Win., WSM and Weatherby).  All have their good and bad points.  For what you describe "I hunt deer, black bear, and elk every now and again and I feel this caliber can handle what ever I point it at." the .270 Weatherby will fill your needs very well.  If you take rifles of equal barrel lengths you will see that the .270 Win. is a good cartridge but somewhat on the light side for larger Elk in my opinion.  Either of the "magnum" offerings, WSM - Weatherby, are better suited.  Personally I like your choice of the Weatherby.  By the way I believe the Accumark has less recoil than the Ultralight.  Small groups and tight lines to you.  Lawdog
 

[Scott Fisher]

LAWDOG - I have read your replies before and know you are a fan of Weatherbys.  I have been hunting and shooting for nearly 40 years and have come to appreciate quality made firearms.  I have a Sauer 202 300 Win, which is not only of outstanding quality but extremely accurate as well.  Even though this rifle shoots very well I only use it in fair weather.  Here in northwestern Pa. it is usually raining or snowing during big game season and the rifle is rarely used (just to pretty to get wet).  I was thinking of buying a Weatherby Lazermark, but I would be in the same situation as I am now with the Sauer.  Weatherbys are a bit pricey, but when you think what it would cost to build a rifle with a quality action such as a Weatherby, Sako, or any of the custom made actions available, and have a stainless fluted barrel threaded into the action and then add a hand laminated stock with an aluminum bedding block and a Decelerator recoil pad. the price seems reasonable.  For an off the rack rifle I feel you are getting a lot of quality for the money.  Like I said in an earlier post, I am a hand loader and can adjust loads as needed.  Weatherby brass must be of good quality, because my buddy from Montana says it lasts a long time and case stretching is minimal.  This could also be due to the tight tolerances of Weatherby chambers.  I am still impressed with the quality of the Accumark and the ballistics of the .270 Weatherby.  Thanks for all the suggestions I appreciate it.

[SHW]

I used to be a 270 Weatherby shooter, but I shoot a 7mm rem mag now.  Better bullet selections & in a pinch ammo is easier to find.  I too reload.  You could build a 7mag with a rem action, lilja barrell & Mcmillian stock for ABOUT the same price as that accumark.  Just my two cents worth.
Deciding is half the fun--enjoy.

[cfmpilot]

I have owned a Mk V 270 Wby for seventeen years. I love it! The pros are:
1. Accurate and hard hitting.
2. Very flat shooting; great for cross canyon shots in New Mexico.
3. Recoil similar to a 180 gn load in the 30-06
4. Built like a tank.
5. Easy to handload.

The cons are:
1. Barrel heats up fast at the range.
2. Ear splitting muzzle blast even without brake. Must wear earplugs or it's  
    ear damage for sure.