Non-Magnum Hunters

[WMSproject]

While a .270 cartridge can be created from a necked down .30-06 brass case the .270 cartridge is actually a tad bit longer than the .30-06 case.

.30-06 - 2.494 inches (63.3 mm)
.270 - 2.540 inches (64.5 mm)

The .270 is actually a necked down .30-03 Springfield cartridge but is recommended that if you want to create a .270 cartridge, use a necked down .38 Whelen or .280 Remington case.

While none of these other calibers are considered Magnum cartridges, if you neck any of them down to a .270 and leave the case length and powder the same, shooting a smaller round, you get Magnum or Near magnum properties. Magnum is just a selling point, not a measurable thing. It's like saying Mountain Dew (Blast) or Pepsi (Max). It is just basically a statement of a more powerful or higher velocity round than something else using the same bullet or case.

I read a lengthy article about the .270 Winchester being a "Sleeper" magnum round a while back but I can't find it to reference it.

Some people will argue the fact that the .270 Winchester case is not "Belted" like other Magnum rounds and I guess they have a point. Not sure if it means anything or not.

 

[Powerhouse]

I have used the .270 Winchester for more than 20 years now, with the exception of the two seasons I bought in to the magnum craze. For hunting here in Ga. I found that I have no need to subject myself to that much more recoil for a small gain in velocity. Between 30-300 yards, the .270 fills the bill for everything I need in a deer rifle here.

I do plan to buy another magnum rifle, but only for out west where shots may routinely exceed 300 yards. Magnum calibers do have their place and I certainly won't knock anybody for using one, but for me they're a no go.

 

[Allsmiles]

I hunt with a 7.62x39 AR. Talk about no recoil and deadly on deer. I had a 270WSM (no belt BTW) that wasn't too bad to shoot and recoil was less than 30-06. Needed/used it enough that I traded it for Beretta 92FS. However, if you shoot deer under 100 yards, just about anything will work in centerfire.

Only reason that I didn't get a regular 270 is that we have a rule where we hunt (family) that we don't buy guns that the ammo can get accidently put into the wrong gun and fired. 30-06 was already in the stable, so needed something different.

 

[hillbilly77]

.308 for me as well. I have an M1A and absolutely love it. Very low recoil too. I don't feel like I would ever need any of those magnum cartridges around here.

 

[hunter85]

My ballistic book calls my 35whelen "near magnum", and its a 338cal stuffed into a 30-06 case.

I may be ignorant and correct me if I'm wrong but 35 whelen is a 35 cal such as 358win or 35 rem class bullets a 338 cal in an 06 case would be a 338-06 not a 35 whelen. And I believe that if hand loading can't you get close to mag performance out of just about any standard caliber over factory loaded ammo. I would thing it would depend on the firearm you are shooting for as how close you could get to managing mag performance before having pressure issues.

 

[Clearance_Clarence]

Only reason that I didn't get a regular 270 is that we have a rule where we hunt (family) that we don't buy guns that the ammo can get accidently put into the wrong gun and fired. 30-06 was already in the stable, so needed something different.

That just sounds like people are too lazy to make sure they have the right ammo for their gun.

 

[Parker]

Marlin 336 in 30-30 is my first deer rifle. It's dropped two this year so far. Works for me.

 

[yellowhammer]

Hunt with what you like.

 

[Laxguy59]

I may be ignorant and correct me if I'm wrong but 35 whelen is a 35 cal such as 358win or 35 rem class bullets a 338 cal in an 06 case would be a 338-06 not a 35 whelen. And I believe that if hand loading can't you get close to mag performance out of just about any standard caliber over factory loaded ammo. I would thing it would depend on the firearm you are shooting for as how close you could get to managing mag performance before having pressure issues.

It appears you're right. I was recalling a picture on that page referencing .338 caliber usage expanding in the post WWII era. This book has what I find to be some mismatched pictures but some very valuable trajectory information.
http://www.amazon.com/Ammo-Ballistics-Hunters-Shooters-Collectors/dp/1571573453

 

[atljetmech]

Only magnum cartridge I sometimes use is 44MAG.
All others include 223, 30/30, 7.62X39, 30-06, and 45/70.