I got home early today, and it was simply too nice out to not shoot. Even though I won't be using it this weekend, I wanted to try out the 12" 270 Winchester barrel that I got from fellow member eastex. I only have a box of 150 grain Federal Premium soft point round nose bullets to work with, but that didn't bother me as I loaded a round and took aim with the crosshairs of my 2x Nikon scope.

My first impression: this sucker kicks! It's not very painful in the hands or anything, but when you touch one of those rounds off it rolls backward in the hand pretty quickly.





I fired an initial three shot group at 25 yards to see how far off the bullets were flying; 2 1/2" high and 1" to the left. After some serious scope adjustment, I shot again. I could see the holes in the bulls-eye, so I called it quits at 25 after only two rounds.

Following the 25 yard sight in, I moved back to 50. You can see how well that turned out. I was quickly reminded of why I dislike fixed 2x power scopes for distances beyond about 40 yards or so. It's just hard for me to aim precisely with that level of magnification. However, not counting the two holes on the far left during which I flinched a little, I think I did fairly decent. There's no way I'm taking it beyond 50 yards with a 2x power scope, so I quit right there. If I decide to put that barrel on my Encore to take it hunting this season, I won't shoot at a deer much further than that with it.

According to my chronograph, those 150 grain bullets were traveling at 2338 fps, with a standard deviation of 21 fps.



Some final thoughts: If I begin handloading for this barrel, I'm going to turn it down a notch to reduce recoil. This will be a short range configuration, so I won't need that much power, anyway. A 130 grain bullet behind a starting charge of a faster powder would probably be a decent shooter in this barrel.

Physics can be a pain at times! Best of luck this season

lntroduced by Winchester in 1925 its the ''0riginal'' Magnum.. Even after almost 100 years there are very few if any cartridges that surpass it for big game performance..A 130gr @3200fps and 150gr @3000fps can take care of most anything is North America except Grizz..
Even Roy Weatherby's 270 is only app 150fps faster than Mr Winchester... l have owned both and will choose the Win any day

Heck I use even less magnification on guns that I shoot to 100 and a bit further. Spend a bit more time with it and you will get better.

I too prefer a higher power scope. The only problem that I have is finding my sight picture in low light. Good luck with the 270!

Have you recorded your velocities from the 12" barrel?

These 150 grain factory rounds averaged 2338 fps.