Why is the .270 dying?

[Lou270]

The folks who participate in these forums are the rifle aficianados. I know a lot of hunters and besides me only one buddy occassionally posts on forums. We are the profit margin for the gun and ammo makers. I am sure some ammo/reloading executive or 2 somewhere put in a new swimming pool because of me. I am not knocking the new innovations at all and embrace them, but have participated in the fun of several of these trends now so that is where coming from. This one may be different but I already sense the tides of change coming with legislators talking about special open sight or low power scope seasons, etc…

Lou

 

[Dan Carey]

"This one may be different but I already sense the tides of change coming with legislators talking about special open sight or low power scope seasons, etc…"

A while back New Mexico limited the Muzzle loader rifle to iron sights only. That really limited the hunters to guys with great eyes. Guys that have poor eye sight and wear glasses are at a disadvantage. But then, thats what you get in NM

 

[Lou270]

"This one may be different but I already sense the tides of change coming with legislators talking about special open sight or low power scope seasons, etc…"

A while back New Mexico limited the Muzzle loader rifle to iron sights only. That really limited the hunters to guys with great eyes. Guys that have poor eye sight and wear glasses are at a disadvantage. But then, thats what you get in NM

Agree. I don’t like it, but it is out there. I bought a 30-30 to add some fun to pig hunting last year and found out my middle aged eyes don’t do so well with open sights anymore

Lou

 

[Macintosh]

If the tides of change cause rifle hunting to become open-sights only, just for example, or banned laser rangefinders…well, a flat shooting cartridge like the 270 might become MORE relevant. However, that will not change the fact that one of the newer cartridges such as a 6cm or 6.5prc is similar in trajectory, but also offers something to the guy shooting steel or f class. I agree with the premise given perhaps “long range hunting” might have less of an aspirational element to it if widespread restrictions were in place, but dont think it really changes the equation today with regard to why folks might think a classic caliber is fading vs the reality.

 

[Lou270]

Here is food for thought:

$25/box
270 Win American Whitetail 130 gr
@500 yards Vel/Energy/Traj
2107 fps/1281 fp/-37in

$44/box
6.5 CM Precision Hunter 143 gr
@500 yards Vel/Energy/Traj
2025 fps/1302 fp/-44.5in

So, the most basic Hornady 270 hunting ammo vs the most advanced 6.5 cm hunting ammo. Almost half the price for the 270 ammo but of course the 6.5 cm will recoil less. Not arguing the 6.5 cm adds some benefit for volume shooters but Joe hunter will get more bang for buck with hunting ammo with 270. That gets lost in BC hype to a lot of folks. 270 just does not need anything fancy for hunting. Of course you can buy eldx in 270 as well

.270 Precision Hunter 145 gr
@500 yards Vel/Energy/Traj
2157 fps/1497 fp/-37.6


Lou

 

[Diamondback]

If Industry just increased the 270 Win barrel twist rate to 8 and did a 270 AI with higher BC 160gr - 170gr bullets, it would be fine for next 100 years.

The 270 Win I shoot 150's at 2850fps will kill everything I want to just fine.
As long as I own the brass, bullets, it isn't fading away in my lifetime.