270 varmint barrel on a budget.

[redblock]

I just bought a LA savage at a great price BNIB and I was wanting to build a 270 varmint rifle without breaking the bank. I have a Boyd's thumbhole for it and would like to find a varmint contour barrel for it. I know there are $275+ barrels that will fill this bill but I really enjoy showing up the "700" crowd 8) with a modified rifle that total investment is less than there original rifle. It is currently chambered in 25-06 but I like the range of bullet weights that 270 offers. I figured that if there was any place to get advice on this it would be right here.

Thanks in advance, Joey.

[mattri]

Don't know if this helps but my Mossberg ATR in .270 will shoot .5 @ 100, .75 @ 200 and 1.5 @ 300 with Nosler 140grn BTs over 55 grns of H4831 in Win brass with CCI 200 primers.

I really wanted to build a .270 varmint rifle (and still may) but even the cheap sporters have so much potential.

The .270 is probably the most under-rated round out there.

[redblock]

I found some 90grn Sierra varmint bullets in .277 that I think I shoot ground hogs through coyotes and maybe a little larger with. I just want the thicker barrel so that I don't have as much of a heat issue. I already have a .270 that loves 130grs but I want to go faster an flatter.

[psharon97]

http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php/topic,24134.0.html
He can chamber a barrel for ya and I think he will even buy back you original sporter barrel. I would get in touch with him about a barrel. He stands behind his work.

[Kawabuggy]

Not to drop any sand in your ointment-but a .270 as a varmint rifle? I can think of at least 10 different calibers that would be MUCH better for varmints. The .270 being used as a varmint round is just not efficient. Look at how much powder it takes. The lighter the bullet, the more powder you are using up.

You threw me even further off when you mentioned "the large selection of bullets available for the .270". Let's see-90 grain, 110 grain, 130, 140, 150... That is about all that I am familiar with. When compared to what's available for the 22, or 243/6MM the offerings in 270 (.277) pale in comparison. Further, look at how much more efficient the smaller calibers are. They use far less powder, and yet can shoot at higher velocities (with lower bullet weights). Though I do believe that the .243 can launch a 90 grain pill as fast, or possibly faster, than the .270 can launch the same bullet weight.

I realize you have a long action, but you can still use that action with the short action calibers. There is a bolt shroud that has a stop built on it that will allow short action calibers on a long action.

Otherwise, if you are really wanting a varmint gun-the 25-06 barrel you have now is better (in my opinion) than going up to the .270.. Larger selection of bullets available for the 25-06 than the .270 as well.. About the same amount of powder consumption though..

I have purchased from this site varmint contour barrels in .243, 22-250, and .223.

[bigngreen]

The .277 cal makes a wonderful varmint and hunting rifle combo, the bullet selection ranges from some of the varmint bullet in the 85-110 gr range then you can step up to the heavier hunting 130-160 gr bullets. The 25-06 will at best equal the 270 win in the lighter offerings but you don't have the heavier bullets to go to.
I shoot a 270 WSM and the 110 Barnes or the V-max is amazing on varmints and makes my 22-250 look pathetic, they run around 3560 FPS and I use it for big game season with 140 gr Bergers @ 3300 FPS, the 270 Win will run a couple hundred feet a second slower but still extremely good all around chambering.