Is the .270 dying? - Page 4

ColColt · July 4, 2014, 07:52 PM

The other cratered primer was the same ammo fired in a 1952 Model 70. I did shoot the rest of that ammo but don't intend on buying more.

Paul B. · July 5, 2014, 07:32 PM

ColColt. I get those same type primer results from Winchester factory 150 gr. Powerpoints in several commercial FN Mausers and a Winchester M70 XTR push feeder .270 Win. rifles. But then again, it's pretty doggone hot most of the year where I live.

I don't think you have much of a problem with that ammo.
Paul B.

ColColt · July 5, 2014, 07:52 PM

I just thought it kind of odd since the Power Points and Federal Fusion ammo along with reloads didn't cause cratering to any degree or flattening. I use CCI primers when reloading. I have Winchester also and don't know how they would have performed.

One thing's for sure. I doubt any other factory ammo has that sort of velocity from a 130 gr bullet.

reynolds357 · July 5, 2014, 10:28 PM

I have come to the opinion that you are going to have to mic brass pre and post fired to gather any relevant data about pressure. Once you get off the spectrum, pressure signs in primers will be unmistakable, but reading primers can be very deceptive in the range nearing max pressure. From what I saw, the primers do not look over pressure. I have had some loads recently that the primers looked fine and the extractor was leaving marks in the brass you can feel. I have had some where the primers looked cratered and the extractor did not leave a mark. (Both Savage extractors)
My understanding (may be wrong) of the superformance ammo is that it is within SAAMI pressure specs, but the pressure curve stays at the higher end a bit longer than typical loads. The max pressure is the same, but the time in the upper end of the curve is longer.

ColColt · July 6, 2014, 10:09 AM

I read many years ago and in fact, it's in several of the manuals I have that one of the signs of pressure were like those two photos, one being slightly cratered and the other with the round edge of the primer nearly filling the primer pocket. I don't know of any other way to discern getting into a pressure situation other than that and a hard bolt lift and extraction.

Ridgerunner665 · July 6, 2014, 01:39 PM

I don't believe that's cratered...

What you're seeing is often the result of the firing pin hole in the bolt face being just a little bigger than it really needs to be...the primer cup gets pushed into to crack around the pin...

ColColt · July 6, 2014, 01:43 PM

I have seen that explanation before and forgot it. I suppose there's just enough pressure with the Hornady SST ammo to give that effect as it doesn't happen with my reloads that I've noticed...at least not with the CCI primers.

kilimanjaro · July 6, 2014, 02:59 PM

You did good choosing the .270, don't let anyone talk you out of it, especially yourself.

Gal at work hunts deer and elk with a Ruger No. 1 in .270, has yet to need the second shot.

hooligan1 · July 7, 2014, 06:17 AM

Took a box of those to range yesterday to let my neighbors son "fireform" me some brass, target looks like a load of buckshot hit it, all primers flat as I have ever saw.....
Dont think I need to buy anymorebof those dudes....it has to be pushin a 130 bullet over 3000. But there was no consistancy....minute of mulebarn..

ColColt · July 7, 2014, 09:31 AM

It says on the box, 3200 fps. I didn't get good groups either...not with the 270 I shot them in.

reynolds357 · July 7, 2014, 08:38 PM

The Superformance is the modern re-introduction of the "Light Magnum" & "Heavy Magnum." They, in most rifles, would not hit the broad side of a barn either.

Ruger480 · July 7, 2014, 08:43 PM

5 shots of 125 gr Superformance give me one ragged hole out of my Savage Axis 30-06.

Maybe you guys just picked the wrong caliber?

ColColt · July 7, 2014, 08:54 PM

They sure weren't worth a hoot in my 270. I won't be buying any more. They and a box of Federals were the first factory ammo I'd bought in years. Federal Fusion 130 gr ran circles around the Superformance.

natman · July 7, 2014, 08:57 PM

I can't comment on the Superformance in 270 because I don't own a 270. I do know that the 180 grain Nosler Partition Light Magnums group very well in my 30-06. I still have a couple of boxes and it's my go-to elk load.

ColColt · July 7, 2014, 09:02 PM

From a reloading perspective I have no problem at all getting 3/4-1" groups with 59 gr of H4831 with Nosler's 130 gr Ballistic Tip or even their Partition. Hornady's 130 gr Spire Point does as well but I guess this 270 just don't like factory ammo for the most part.

Paul B. · July 8, 2014, 07:49 PM

Col Colt. I have a Remington BDL in 30-06 that will crater a priner even with a light plinking load of 5.0 gr. of Unique and a 110 gr. Cast bullet.

Vouldn't figure it out but one day while cleaning it and getting the brass flakes out from under the extractor I noticed that the firing pin hole in the bolt face had been chamfered.

Now I bought that rifle back in 1981 brand new at J.C. Penney when they were clearing out all their stuff in order to sell to the yuppie trade. I not only got it for the massive discount but as my wife worked there I also got her 10 percent discount off the discounted price. Never have used it much but couldn't turn down that price. $110 and change. I don't think I've run 100 rounds through it yet.
Paul B.

ColColt · July 8, 2014, 07:56 PM

J.C. Penny use to sell a lot of things they no longer do but I didn't know they sold firearms. My first 700 was a 7mm Rem Mag bought back in 1972 at $159.95. Don't ask me why I remember that.

To have bought that one for that price in '81 was one heck of a deal.

Go Hogs · September 27, 2014, 08:23 PM

In the words of the great Jack O'Connor himself:
"It is my notion that it will be some time before a better cartridge than the .270 makes it's bow. Newer cartridges that have come out have found it tough competition."

ColColt · September 27, 2014, 09:31 PM

You mind giving up the source of that quote?

dakota1911 · September 29, 2014, 05:34 PM

I would expect it to be around a very long time. Rifles and ammo are still being made for it. I won't be buying any as I am a 30-06 fan.

baddarryl · September 29, 2014, 07:54 PM

Not sure why, but I take a certain pride in the fact that I shoot the .270.

handlerer2 · September 29, 2014, 10:53 PM

C'mon, gimme a break! The 270 is going to live well, as long as anyone reloads and hunts with it.

I expect shooters will be asking the same question a generation from now. I bet the answer will be that it is as effective then as it is now.

Unlicensed Dremel · September 29, 2014, 11:46 PM

I've got a LOT of love for the .270 Win.

But, as good as it is, the fact is, the .280 Rem is better. Because it IS a .270, for all intents and purposes, except for having better bullet selection with better BCs, on average. It can't NOT be better, given those facts.

natman · September 30, 2014, 10:28 AM

Quote:

But, as good as it is, the fact is, the .280 Rem is better. Because it IS a .270, for all intents and purposes, except for having better bullet selection with better BCs, on average. It can't NOT be better, given those facts.

And yet, while the title "Is the 270 dying" is ridiculous, the same question asked about the 280 would rate some serious thought before coming to the conclusion, "not quite yet".

Ridgerunner665 · September 30, 2014, 10:36 AM

Don't underestimate the sales of the 280...it's never been as popular as the 270...but enough people swear by it that it ain't going anywhere...it seems to be gaining some popularity in recent years, probably due to the fact that reloading has become so popular....to see what the 280 really is, you have to reload it...that's the only thing that held it back to start with.

Townsend Whelen was exactly right about the 280....it's just a little bit better.

July 4, 2014, 07:52 PM	#76
ColColt Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2010 Posts: 354	The other cratered primer was the same ammo fired in a 1952 Model 70. I did shoot the rest of that ammo but don't intend on buying more. __________________ Kids are for people that can't have dogs

July 5, 2014, 07:32 PM	#77
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	ColColt. I get those same type primer results from Winchester factory 150 gr. Powerpoints in several commercial FN Mausers and a Winchester M70 XTR push feeder .270 Win. rifles. But then again, it's pretty doggone hot most of the year where I live. I don't think you have much of a problem with that ammo. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

July 5, 2014, 07:52 PM	#78
ColColt Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2010 Posts: 354	I just thought it kind of odd since the Power Points and Federal Fusion ammo along with reloads didn't cause cratering to any degree or flattening. I use CCI primers when reloading. I have Winchester also and don't know how they would have performed. One thing's for sure. I doubt any other factory ammo has that sort of velocity from a 130 gr bullet. __________________ Kids are for people that can't have dogs

July 6, 2014, 10:09 AM	#80
ColColt Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2010 Posts: 354	I read many years ago and in fact, it's in several of the manuals I have that one of the signs of pressure were like those two photos, one being slightly cratered and the other with the round edge of the primer nearly filling the primer pocket. I don't know of any other way to discern getting into a pressure situation other than that and a hard bolt lift and extraction. __________________ Kids are for people that can't have dogs

July 6, 2014, 01:43 PM	#82
ColColt Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2010 Posts: 354	I have seen that explanation before and forgot it. I suppose there's just enough pressure with the Hornady SST ammo to give that effect as it doesn't happen with my reloads that I've noticed...at least not with the CCI primers. __________________ Kids are for people that can't have dogs

July 5, 2014, 10:28 PM	#79
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	I have come to the opinion that you are going to have to mic brass pre and post fired to gather any relevant data about pressure. Once you get off the spectrum, pressure signs in primers will be unmistakable, but reading primers can be very deceptive in the range nearing max pressure. From what I saw, the primers do not look over pressure. I have had some loads recently that the primers looked fine and the extractor was leaving marks in the brass you can feel. I have had some where the primers looked cratered and the extractor did not leave a mark. (Both Savage extractors) My understanding (may be wrong) of the superformance ammo is that it is within SAAMI pressure specs, but the pressure curve stays at the higher end a bit longer than typical loads. The max pressure is the same, but the time in the upper end of the curve is longer.

July 6, 2014, 01:39 PM	#81
Ridgerunner665 Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2007 Location: Upper East Tennessee Posts: 477	I don't believe that's cratered... What you're seeing is often the result of the firing pin hole in the bolt face being just a little bigger than it really needs to be...the primer cup gets pushed into to crack around the pin...

July 6, 2014, 02:59 PM	#83
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	You did good choosing the .270, don't let anyone talk you out of it, especially yourself. Gal at work hunts deer and elk with a Ruger No. 1 in .270, has yet to need the second shot.

July 7, 2014, 06:17 AM	#84
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,586	Hornady superformance Took a box of those to range yesterday to let my neighbors son "fireform" me some brass, target looks like a load of buckshot hit it, all primers flat as I have ever saw..... Dont think I need to buy anymorebof those dudes....it has to be pushin a 130 bullet over 3000. But there was no consistancy....minute of mulebarn.. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

July 7, 2014, 09:31 AM	#85
ColColt Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2010 Posts: 354	It says on the box, 3200 fps. I didn't get good groups either...not with the 270 I shot them in. __________________ Kids are for people that can't have dogs

July 7, 2014, 08:38 PM	#86
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	The Superformance is the modern re-introduction of the "Light Magnum" & "Heavy Magnum." They, in most rifles, would not hit the broad side of a barn either.

July 7, 2014, 08:43 PM	#87
Ruger480 Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2013 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 720	5 shots of 125 gr Superformance give me one ragged hole out of my Savage Axis 30-06. Maybe you guys just picked the wrong caliber? Last edited by Ruger480; July 7, 2014 at 09:38 PM.

July 7, 2014, 08:54 PM	#88
ColColt Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2010 Posts: 354	They sure weren't worth a hoot in my 270. I won't be buying any more. They and a box of Federals were the first factory ammo I'd bought in years. Federal Fusion 130 gr ran circles around the Superformance. __________________ Kids are for people that can't have dogs

July 7, 2014, 08:57 PM	#89
natman Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2008 Posts: 2,607	I can't comment on the Superformance in 270 because I don't own a 270. I do know that the 180 grain Nosler Partition Light Magnums group very well in my 30-06. I still have a couple of boxes and it's my go-to elk load.

July 7, 2014, 09:02 PM	#90
ColColt Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2010 Posts: 354	From a reloading perspective I have no problem at all getting 3/4-1" groups with 59 gr of H4831 with Nosler's 130 gr Ballistic Tip or even their Partition. Hornady's 130 gr Spire Point does as well but I guess this 270 just don't like factory ammo for the most part. __________________ Kids are for people that can't have dogs

July 8, 2014, 07:49 PM	#91
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Col Colt. I have a Remington BDL in 30-06 that will crater a priner even with a light plinking load of 5.0 gr. of Unique and a 110 gr. Cast bullet. Vouldn't figure it out but one day while cleaning it and getting the brass flakes out from under the extractor I noticed that the firing pin hole in the bolt face had been chamfered. Now I bought that rifle back in 1981 brand new at J.C. Penney when they were clearing out all their stuff in order to sell to the yuppie trade. I not only got it for the massive discount but as my wife worked there I also got her 10 percent discount off the discounted price. Never have used it much but couldn't turn down that price. $110 and change. I don't think I've run 100 rounds through it yet. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

July 8, 2014, 07:56 PM	#92
ColColt Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2010 Posts: 354	J.C. Penny use to sell a lot of things they no longer do but I didn't know they sold firearms. My first 700 was a 7mm Rem Mag bought back in 1972 at $159.95. Don't ask me why I remember that. To have bought that one for that price in '81 was one heck of a deal. __________________ Kids are for people that can't have dogs

September 27, 2014, 08:23 PM	#93
Go Hogs Junior Member Join Date: August 25, 2012 Posts: 1	In the words of the great Jack O'Connor himself: "It is my notion that it will be some time before a better cartridge than the .270 makes it's bow. Newer cartridges that have come out have found it tough competition."

September 27, 2014, 09:31 PM	#94
ColColt Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2010 Posts: 354	You mind giving up the source of that quote? __________________ Kids are for people that can't have dogs

September 29, 2014, 05:34 PM	#95
dakota1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2007 Location: The Great American Desert Posts: 501	I would expect it to be around a very long time. Rifles and ammo are still being made for it. I won't be buying any as I am a 30-06 fan.

September 29, 2014, 07:54 PM	#96
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,683	Not sure why, but I take a certain pride in the fact that I shoot the .270.

September 29, 2014, 10:53 PM	#97
handlerer2 Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2010 Location: Yellowstone Co, MT Posts: 489	C'mon, gimme a break! The 270 is going to live well, as long as anyone reloads and hunts with it. I expect shooters will be asking the same question a generation from now. I bet the answer will be that it is as effective then as it is now.

September 29, 2014, 11:46 PM	#98
Unlicensed Dremel Junior member Join Date: February 13, 2014 Location: Flathead Valley, MT Posts: 2,187	I've got a LOT of love for the .270 Win. But, as good as it is, the fact is, the .280 Rem is better. Because it IS a .270, for all intents and purposes, except for having better bullet selection with better BCs, on average. It can't NOT be better, given those facts.

September 30, 2014, 10:36 AM	#100
Ridgerunner665 Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2007 Location: Upper East Tennessee Posts: 477	Don't underestimate the sales of the 280...it's never been as popular as the 270...but enough people swear by it that it ain't going anywhere...it seems to be gaining some popularity in recent years, probably due to the fact that reloading has become so popular....to see what the 280 really is, you have to reload it...that's the only thing that held it back to start with. Townsend Whelen was exactly right about the 280....it's just a little bit better. Last edited by Ridgerunner665; September 30, 2014 at 10:51 AM.