Why is this all I am seeing when frequenting the Wal-Marts around my area? Is this an underperformer or just some bastard round that no one wants to use?
It is a hunting round. It isn't powerful enough for most hunters. They think anything less than a magnum round and deer will just shrug it off and walk away...... In reality, it is not chambered in any military style weapons and is really only popular near deer season. Most hunters don't go out and shoot hundreds of rounds in .270 just to hear it go bang like they do with 7.62x39, .556, 30-06 or other rounds developed for and by the military.
Gotcha. I was just overwhelmed that I see it EVERYWHERE and am left scratching my head thinking should I get a rifle in .270 simply because the ammo is so available.
The .270 has been around since 1927 for good reason. It is a superb hunting round and available in various rifle styles. Accurate, more than adequate power for most any NA hoofed game, tolerable recoil. I have 4, so I am biased, but history tells.