.270 All Weather Rifle Choices (Stainless + Synthetic)?

[ghott]

I'm looking to purchase a new all weather bolt rifle in .270win and wondering what your guy's experiences are with the rifles I've found below. Good/bad/ugly? Am I missing any brands/models that would fit my criteria? Note: I'm Not looking to get into a custom $2k++ rifle or custom build.

My criteria:
- .270win; Stainless barrel/action/etc; Synthetic/composite stock; 8lbs or under
- Consistently accurate rifle out-of-the-box (no large "hit or miss" quality control issues)
- ~$1500 or under out the door (street price new); not looking at used rifles

What I've found so far:
Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS - $1340 MSRP
- I have one of these chambered in .300wm and love it, but kinda want to try something different
Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker - $1190 MSRP
- One of the lighter rifles on the list, but how well do these shoot?
Savage 110 Storm - $865 MSRP
- I like the price on these, but how well do they shoot?
Tikka T3x Lite Stainless - $800 MSRP
- Price is nice, very light, Tikkas seem to have a good rep for accuracy, but they've always felt kinda "cheap" in my hands
Howa HS Precision - $1100 MSRP
- Seems hard to find info on these and I'm not even sure if they are offered in stainless?
Sako 85 Finnlight - $1700 MSRP
- Top of my budget and don't know much about them, are they worth it, good shooters?
Weatherby Vanguard Stainless Synthetic - $750 MSRP
- Only one offered in 24" length barrel; these are under the "Legacy" category on their site - so, not sure if they are still made?

All of the above are SS/Synthetic and have a ~22" barrel with 1:10 twist (24" for the Weatherby) and come in around 7lbs. (+/- 10oz).

Other thoughts:
- I'm not a fan of Remingtons, which is why there are none on my short list
- I looked at Bergara's - but it looks like they don't offer anything in Stainless
- I wish Weatherby offered the Mark V Accumark or Vanguard Accuguard in .270win

Thanks for any help!

 

[Luvbowhuntn]

All of the Bergara Premier series rifles are stainless and cerakoted as well. Out of your list I’d go with the Tikka. Add the Bergara’s to your list and I’m going Bergara Premier over the Tikka


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[SkunkCabbage]

Kimber Montana

 

[Tmac]

To answer one of your questions, X-bolts tend to shoot very well.

I have used several stainless T3’s for a long time and a T3X for two years. All held up well and shoot very well.

The X-bolt would be my first choice of the two, but for the $ a Tikka is tough to beat.

 

[EmperorMA]

Not really going to jump in with a recommendation (other than Model 70 EW!!!!) but I have never been around a Browning X-Bolt that didn't shoot. That is around a dozen at last count. All GTG with factory ammo right out of the box and very good with their favorite bullets.

 

[ttmannan]

+1 for the Browning. I have two Browning X-Bolt All Weather rifles (It was a Shot Show Special but you can find them) both in .270 and in 300WM and I love these rifles. The 270 has a 23" barrel. GREAT rifle that I have taken multiple species with. If you can't find it - the stainless stalker has a composite stock but the All Weather has a laminate stock.

 

[Luvbowhuntn]

I’ve had the opposite experience with X Bolts. I’ve had 3. 2 of them wouldn’t shoot under MOA. Now my oldest daughter’s 7mm-08 XBolt shoots very well. But the other two I’ve owned went down the road after trying several different factory loads and not being able to get any of them under Moa. I do love the looks of the X Bolts but their accuracy has left me less than impressed from my personal experience


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[ttmannan]

I’ve had the opposite experience with X Bolts. I’ve had 3. 2 of them wouldn’t shoot under MOA. Now my oldest daughter’s 7mm-08 XBolt shoots very well. But the other two I’ve owned went down the road after trying several different factory loads and not being able to get any of them under Moa. I do love the looks of the X Bolts but their accuracy has left me less than impressed from my personal experience


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That's no fun. I hand load for my .270 (Bergers and RL23) and for my .300 (Noslers and H1000) and that may be the difference as I have not tried any factory ammo in them.

 

[General RE LEE]

Tikka T3x...I have 3 of them and they all shoot sub MOA with factory ammo once I find the pills they like.


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[handwerk]

I'm a big fan of model 70's, so that's what I would choose followed by a Kimber Montana.

 

[ghott]

All of the Bergara Premier series rifles are stainless and cerakoted as well. Out of your list I’d go with the Tikka. Add the Bergara’s to your list and I’m going Bergara Premier over the Tikka


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I didn't realize the Premiers were actually Stainless under the Cerakote haha! That said, I don't see on the Bergara site where they offer any of the Premier line in .270win??

Kimber Montana

Appreciate you offering this option. I had left it off my list originally because I had read quite a few comments on several different forums where the Kimber's were kinda a hit/miss deal on accuracy OOTB. Also, that moss green stock color is not my cup of tea haha.

To answer one of your questions, X-bolts tend to shoot very well.

I have used several stainless T3’s for a long time and a T3X for two years. All held up well and shoot very well.

The X-bolt would be my first choice of the two, but for the $ a Tikka is tough to beat.

Thanks for the input! I have a buddy who shoots exclusively Browning and swears by them...but I tend to trust a larger sample size which is why I'm attempting to do my research and due-dilligence. I might need to find a Tikka T3X and give it another handle...it was a couple years ago when I handled a Tikka, so maybe I'm not giving them a fair shake.

Not really going to jump in with a recommendation (other than Model 70 EW!!!!) but I have never been around a Browning X-Bolt that didn't shoot. That is around a dozen at last count. All GTG with factory ammo right out of the box and very good with their favorite bullets.

Thanks! I'm having a tough time talking myself out of another Win70 EW-SS. Mine in .300wm is one of my favorites!

+1 for the Browning. I have two Browning X-Bolt All Weather rifles (It was a Shot Show Special but you can find them) both in .270 and in 300WM and I love these rifles. The 270 has a 23" barrel. GREAT rifle that I have taken multiple species with. If you can't find it - the stainless stalker has a composite stock but the All Weather has a laminate stock.

Appreciate the input! The 23" barrel in that variety is definitely appealing for a little more velocity.

I’ve had the opposite experience with X Bolts. I’ve had 3. 2 of them wouldn’t shoot under MOA. Now my oldest daughter’s 7mm-08 XBolt shoots very well. But the other two I’ve owned went down the road after trying several different factory loads and not being able to get any of them under Moa. I do love the looks of the X Bolts but their accuracy has left me less than impressed from my personal experience


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Appreciate your input as well. The feedback I've seen/heard on Browning's thus far has been mostly positive, but I'll definitely keep your experience in mind. The hit/miss accuracy OOTB on some brands/models is what I'd like to avoid for sure!

Tikka T3x...I have 3 of them and they all shoot sub MOA with factory ammo once I find the pills they like.


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As I said above in my reply to Tmac...I might need to find a Tikka T3X and give it another handle...it was a couple years ago when I handled a Tikka, so maybe I'm not giving them a fair shake. Thanks for your input General!

I'm a big fan of model 70's, so that's what I would choose followed by a Kimber Montana.

Appreciate the input. I love my Model 70's as well! The fit/finish and balance is hard to beat IMO. I'm more-or-less trying to talk myself out of getting another one haha.

 

[mncoolbeans]

Doesn't Browning make the Winchester Model 70's Now Too??? They bought Winchester once they moved from New Haven, CT. I've also had a Browning X-Bolt in .280 Rem, was a great shooter, one of those a person wishes they never got rid of....Ughhh

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Can grab the Savage Storm 110 in 270 Win from Bass Pro for under $520 plus tax. I have one in 6.5 CM and it shoots extremely well.

Never had a Tikka that would not shoot well under MOA.

 

[Tmac]

@ghott , the newer Tikka T3X has a better stock than the older T3. I’d not call it great, but it’s an improvement. If you handled the older version, it makes sense to try again. I put a B&C stock on one of mine, like it quite a bit and it softened some of the sharpness of the 270 recoil in a lite rifle. Sako‘s are very nice too, but I have not shot any, but they feel darned good in the hand to me. Good luck in what ever you decide.

 

[SkunkCabbage]

Back to the OP.

I think the early ones got a bad rap and for a good reason so due to QC issues. This isn’t saying that I have not seen any QC issues with current other manufacturer models available on the market. CA as a fine example.

Honestly your best bang for your buck is to find a used Montana.

 

[ghott]

Greatly greatly appreciate all the input! I think right now, for me, its narrowed down to the M70 EW or the Tikka. I'm leaning towards trying the Tikka since I've never had one. If I end up not liking it, I'll end up giving it to my dad and getting an M70

Thanks again all!

 

[awildswanger]

I'm looking to purchase a new all weather bolt rifle in .270win and wondering what your guy's experiences are with the rifles I've found below. Good/bad/ugly? Am I missing any brands/models that would fit my criteria? Note: I'm Not looking to get into a custom $2k++ rifle or custom build.

My criteria:
- .270win; Stainless barrel/action/etc; Synthetic/composite stock; 8lbs or under
- Consistently accurate rifle out-of-the-box (no large "hit or miss" quality control issues)
- ~$1500 or under out the door (street price new); not looking at used rifles

What I've found so far:
Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS - $1340 MSRP
- I have one of these chambered in .300wm and love it, but kinda want to try something different
Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker - $1190 MSRP
- One of the lighter rifles on the list, but how well do these shoot?
Savage 110 Storm - $865 MSRP
- I like the price on these, but how well do they shoot?
Tikka T3x Lite Stainless - $800 MSRP
- Price is nice, very light, Tikkas seem to have a good rep for accuracy, but they've always felt kinda "cheap" in my hands
Howa HS Precision - $1100 MSRP
- Seems hard to find info on these and I'm not even sure if they are offered in stainless?
Sako 85 Finnlight - $1700 MSRP
- Top of my budget and don't know much about them, are they worth it, good shooters?
Weatherby Vanguard Stainless Synthetic - $750 MSRP
- Only one offered in 24" length barrel; these are under the "Legacy" category on their site - so, not sure if they are still made?

All of the above are SS/Synthetic and have a ~22" barrel with 1:10 twist (24" for the Weatherby) and come in around 7lbs. (+/- 10oz).

Other thoughts:
- I'm not a fan of Remingtons, which is why there are none on my short list
- I looked at Bergara's - but it looks like they don't offer anything in Stainless
- I wish Weatherby offered the Mark V Accumark or Vanguard Accuguard in .270win

Thanks for any help!

I’d stick with the EWSS

 

[TREE ‘EM]

Of your narrowed choices I’d go
1 Winchester
3 Tikka

2 would be Ruger

Tikka’s are nice but it’s hard to beat some of the features shared by Winchester and Ruger

 

[ShastaDuke]

I too was considering the M70 and a Tikka, ended up saving some money and choosing the Tikka (my 3rd one). Another option may be the Sauer 100 Ceratech??

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I’m a big fan of the m70ewss rifles, I have 2 of them, a 30-06 and a 338wm, both have been great guns with factory Ammo and even better with my hand loads.

Other than that, I’m a big Kimber fan, never had an issue with one or known anybody personally who did.

Tikkas are ok, I don’t believe they are any more accurate or reliable than any of my other rifles but they are much more affordable, I don’t really mind a plastic stock, I do t have to worry about bashing it up.