Help me Buy/Build 270 Win

roobear

FNG
Joined
Jun 27, 2025
Messages
36
Howdy - looking to buy or build a 270 win hunting rifle. Open to suggestions on alternative calibers but here are my requirements:

1. Left hand
2. Deer, elk, black bear, moose, antelope out to mid range (500ish yards)
3. Suppressed

I have looked at Tikka t3x roughtech as it comes in LH. However, I’m reading that a 1-8 twist for 270 opens up a lot of choices, but Tikka is standard 1-10 twist.

Should I get the Tikka (comes in 20” or 22.4” barrel length) and adjust if need be? Or should I build from ground up?

Primarily hunt in TN, but will be in ID, MT, and WA quite a bit.

Long time lurker, finally got account!
Thanks in advance for your recommendations.
 
,The .270, as designed falls behind modern designs. You can get a fast twist, but most ammo isn’t designed for it. You have to find ammo that loads longer heavier higher BC bullets for the fast twist. Out to 500 it will work, but how would you source ammo for a fast twist barrel?

If you get a Tikka and don’t shoot suppressed go longer to get a bit more speed out of factory ammo. The speed will help make up for lack of BC in bullets that will spin in the 10 twist. It will be fine for eastern hunting and will do the work well enough in the west with max 500 and most shorter.

I see no reason to build based on your choice.

Not sure why you chose .270, but if we just look at ballistic numbers such as bullet weight and drop/drift, the modern cartridges with the same or similar bullet weight as traditional .270 loads are going to pretty well match or exceed in a 6.5 creed or 6.5 PRC at long range.

In those cartridges you’ll find more options in rifles, bullets, and more ammo.

But, the .270 is a fine choice.
 
,The .270, as designed falls behind modern designs. You can get a fast twist, but most ammo isn’t designed for it. You have to find ammo that loads longer heavier higher BC bullets for the fast twist. Out to 500 it will work, but how would you source ammo for a fast twist barrel?

If you get a Tikka and don’t shoot suppressed go longer to get a bit more speed out of factory ammo. The speed will help make up for lack of BC in bullets that will spin in the 10 twist. It will be fine for eastern hunting and will do the work well enough in the west with max 500 and most shorter.

I see no reason to build based on your choice.

Not sure why you chose .270, but if we just look at ballistic numbers such as bullet weight and drop/drift, the modern cartridges with the same or similar bullet weight as traditional .270 loads are going to pretty well match or exceed in a 6.5 creed or 6.5 PRC at long range.

In those cartridges you’ll find more options in rifles, bullets, and more ammo.

But, the .270 is a fine choice.
Thanks for the insight! I chose 270 as I’ve hunted with it before, flatter than 30-06, doesn’t pulverize meat from shorter ranges like 300wm, etc. I’m not extremely well versed with the modern cartridges. Grew up eastern hunting with 30-30 and 30-06. I got big into bow hunting and all the rifles I grew up hunting with are my father’s. Wanted to get a solid “do all” rifle that would be enough cartridge for bigger game, flatter shooting, easy to find ammo, while not destroying meat at closer ranges for most of my deer hunting.
What modern cartridges would fit that bill?
 
I like the .270. It’s a fine cartridge. I own two of them. But if I was getting a new rifle, it wouldn’t be my first choice. Is there any particular reason you picked that cartridge?


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”
 
I like the .270. It’s a fine cartridge. I own two of them. But if I was getting a new rifle, it wouldn’t be my first choice. Is there any particular reason you picked that cartridge?


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”
Kindly refer to my previous reply. Flat shooting, doesn’t pulverize deer meet from close distance like a 7mag or 300wm, ammo readily available, can handle muley’s, elk, moose, left hand models readily available. What cartridge would you get for a do all?
 
Kindly refer to my previous reply. Flat shooting, doesn’t pulverize deer meet from close distance like a 7mag or 300wm, ammo readily available, can handle muley’s, elk, moose, left hand models readily available. What cartridge would you get for a do all?

Two things come mind:

1. The issue is that 1:8 twist and “ammo readily” available sort of conflict with each other right now. Most of the ammo you find out there will be for 1:10 rifles. And that’s just fine. 130 or 150 grain bullets have killed tons of game. To shoot out to 500 yards on deer, you don’t need a faster twist rifle.

2. I think you can do just as well at 500 yards maximum range with a smaller bore and less recoil. I would personally pick a .243 with a good bullet. Even factory ammo is still going fast enough at 500 yards for proper upset.

3. I would get the Tikka, .243, with 20” threaded barrel or 22-24” unthreaded barrel, put an SWFA 3-9x42 scope on it, and go hunt to your hearts content. If you like it, consider getting a suppressor for it.

____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”
 
Two things come mind:

1. The issue is that 1:8 twist and “ammo readily” available sort of conflict with each other right now. Most of the ammo you find out there will be for 1:10 rifles. And that’s just fine. 130 or 150 grain bullets have killed tons of game. To shoot out to 500 yards on deer, you don’t need a faster twist rifle.

2. I think you can do just as well at 500 yards maximum range with a smaller bore and less recoil. I would personally pick a .243 with a good bullet. Even factory ammo is still going fast enough at 500 yards for proper upset.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”
Valuable insight - thank you so much.
 
What is your budget for the rifle?

Nothing wrong with just buying a factory tikka in .270. If so I'd just stick with the old 130 grain loads. Out to 500 yards as you mentioned I wouldn't hesitate to take just about anything with a 130 grain Accubond or whatever your bullet preference.

That said as for caliber you may want to consider the. 280ai. For a one gun to do all it's pretty tough to beat. If you are thinking of building a rifle it would be at the top of my list. A custom build in .280ai might just be the perfect rifle, hence why I asked your budget
 
I’m a 270 fan for sure. I own several.

If you reload, I would say build with a fast twist barrel and find a good load with a 145 grain or heavier bullet.

If you don’t reload, buy the factory T3x and just run it.
If I were to build, what action can handle the longer / heavier bullets? Heard the Tikkas don’t do great with em
 
If I were to build, what action can handle the longer / heavier bullets? Heard the Tikkas don’t do great with em

Which bullet?

Hornady?
c77a9af25510a8b2b5cb8d5b4b61cf92.jpg

Sierra?
ff249b81316baf3fceb278eb0c850101.jpg


Nosler?
e4aef20da5a3cb98b07aaf90cf9a31ed.jpg



____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”
 
What is your budget for the rifle?

Nothing wrong with just buying a factory tikka in .270. If so I'd just stick with the old 130 grain loads. Out to 500 yards as you mentioned I wouldn't hesitate to take just about anything with a 130 grain Accubond or whatever your bullet preference.

That said as for caliber you may want to consider the. 280ai. For a one gun to do all it's pretty tough to beat. If you are thinking of building a rifle it would be at the top of my list. A custom build in .280ai might just be the perfect rifle, hence why I asked your budget
Under $3500 with glass. I’ve heard of 280AI. Will look more into it. I just don’t reload THAT much. I have dies for 45-70 bc it’s easy straight wall. Haven’t ever fire formed or done bottleneck cartridges
 
Under $3500 with glass. I’ve heard of 280AI. Will look more into it. I just don’t reload THAT much. I have dies for 45-70 bc it’s easy straight wall. Haven’t ever fire formed or done bottleneck cartridges
Easy. I’d go with the tikka and a 20” barrel. 270 is great and would be hard to beat with just plain ol 130 gr Nosler ballistic tip. If you’re wanting to chase high Bc bullets look at the 6.5prc for very similar to 270 win bullets…

A trijicon credo or maven rs1.2 scope and diligent defense enticer sti or Jolene S suppressor .

Spend a little time on the 223 for elk , bear thread and the 6mm / 243 for big game thread .. just might change you’re mind to a fast twist 223 or 243
 
For $3500 with glass, you could easily pick any factory chambering in a Tikka, have it threaded, add a suppressor, an aftermarket stock (like a Rokstok or something similar if you don’t like the looks of that one), a good Trijicon or SWFA scope, and maybe 250 rounds of good factory ammo.

If you don’t want the suppressor, that could be 3x more ammo.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”
 
I believe a tikka would be fine except for the really long heavyweight stuff. You could definitely run something like the 160 accubond which imo is almost ideal, especially at the distance you mentioned.
You have a lot of options as far as actions go. May I suggest giving a good smith a call? I'm currently having a custom. 280ai built by Kampfeld Customs on a pre 64 model 70 action with a brux barrel. Even if I had bought the action ( full disclosure I had it already) I wouldn't be over $2500 for the finished rifle which leaves $1000 for glass which is doable depending on what you want. I'm not a suppressor guy( yes I've tried them) but if you are then it definitely doesn't work for your budget. If that's the case then go with the tikka in .270, nothing wrong with that.
 
A 6mm creed running factory ELDx ammo is the flat shooting rifle for the most modern hunters who look at ballistics and the easily available evidence of effectiveness.

Don’t read the “debates” just look for all the users.

Google EXO Mountain Gear Experience Project and watch their AK hunt where they kill caribou and moose with it. There are threads here.

If you want to stick with old school cause you like it, then .270 and 25-06 get it done.

The 6.5 Creedmoor is effectively the modern equivalent of the SAAMI .270 in a short action.
 
Easy. I’d go with the tikka and a 20” barrel. 270 is great and would be hard to beat with just plain ol 130 gr Nosler ballistic tip. If you’re wanting to chase high Bc bullets look at the 6.5prc for very similar to 270 win bullets…

A trijicon credo or maven rs1.2 scope and diligent defense enticer sti or Jolene S suppressor .

Spend a little time on the 223 for elk , bear thread and the 6mm / 243 for big game thread .. just might change you’re mind to a fast twist 223 or 243
Solid. Credo or Credo HX? Magnification?
 
Solid. Credo or Credo HX? Magnification?
People can and do argue about this all the time, but I don't see much point in the very top end of magnification or the very low end of magnification. But that is a matter of what you want. A 3-9 or 2.5-10 will serve most hunting needs well. The highest power scope I own is a 12x. If I could get it, I would have an 8x42 on all my rifles. But that is just me! Everyone has a preference and what works for me, might not work for you!

As for MILS vs MOA... that is another thing that people argue about all the time. For me, picking the reticle that works for me is far more important than whether it is MILS or MOA. While in theory I prefer MILS and would like to stick to MILS, if the scope reticle is too cluttered or unhelpful or just doesn't work for me, then that is more important. Again, that's just me.

My current wishlist includes the Accupoint TR26-C-200110, Accupoint TR20-2G-200005, and Huron HR1040-C-2700002. I should probably also consider the Credo CR940-C-2900041.

Trijicon has a great website for comparing all the options - and being able to see the reticle next to the scope.

If it comes time to buy, EuroOptic has some good deals (and there are a couple of small discount codes available for RokSlide members listed in the EuroOptic thread).

And I would strongly recommend comparing what you get against a baseline minimum of SWFA. As a reliable sighting device, an SWFA scope checks all the boxes for me. I look at the Trijicons as the next step up the ladder and I want them to offer something "more" than what I can get from SWFA. And that something more could be something as subjective as "I want a Trijicon scope on this rifle because I like the idea of having a Trijicon scope on this rifle." Or it could be something objective, "I want illumination for this hunting scenario..."
 
And I would strongly recommend comparing what you get against a baseline minimum of SWFA. As a reliable sighting device, an SWFA scope checks all the boxes for me. I look at the Trijicons as the next step up the ladder and I want them to offer something "more" than what I can get from SWFA. And that something more could be something as subjective as "I want a Trijicon scope on this rifle because I like the idea of having a Trijicon scope on this rifle." Or it could be something objective, "I want illumination for this hunting scenario..."
I have a SWFA 3-9 on a rifle now that I’m happy with - what Trijicon do you think compares most directly to my SWFA? I wouldn’t mind an illuminated dot and maybe a bit more low light clarity for thick woods whitetails. (Not trying to derail just continuing the OPs scope interest)
 
Back
Top