What other calibers can be built on a 270 win action?

I'm having a bit of the same issue with a JC Higgins 98 Mauser in 270 win. I thought of going the Ackley routes and then decided to either sell it as an action, or have the bolt fact opened up to run a 7mm rem mag or 300 win mag.
 
Hmm well looked at some old articles about the 280 AI and I might have to take back what I said earlier. Anyone running a 28" barrel and 180gr bullets here? I'm seeing some reports of achieving velocities around 2950 fps with that combination.
 
Just for giggles, I looked up factory (SAAMI approved) rounds, based off the .30-06 case (.270 Win bolt-face, which is the rifle in question) and came up with:
.25-06 Rem

6.5-06 A-Square (SAAMI approved 1997)

.270 Win

.280 Rem

.280 Ackley Improved (SAAMI approved 2008)

.338-06 A-Square (SAAMI approved 1998)

.35 Whelen

Since the goal was elk, all these would work, but since .270 was the baseline, then the .280 AI would be a great choice and a bump up in power. The .338-06 A-Square would be a sizeable jump in power. The .35 Whelen is a golden oldie that would certainly do the trick, too, for any North American game. Tons of wildcats out there, but being able to get factory ammo would be a plus (I'm assuming.)

Since I have a soft spot for the .270 Win, I'd suggest a rebarrel in that caliber again with a 24" barrel and a 1 in 8 twist so heavier for caliber bullets could be used.

I'm actually hoping you find that the current gun just needs a good, thorough cleaning to 'shoot' well again. That would be the cheapest solution, and the .270 Win still works fine for elk 'as is'.
 
I agree with most of you on heavy for caliber 270 or 280 ai.
I just fixed a problem this same kid was having with a 22 revolver so I am assuming he will be over this weekend to pick it up and go over just what he has in mind for the rebarel if needed.
Thanks for all the info from you all for me to share with him.
I am assuming that heavy bullets for 270 will require some work to the magazine as well to be able to hold and feed them correct?
 
<SNIPPED STUFF> I am assuming that heavy bullets for 270 will require some work to the magazine as well to be able to hold and feed them correct?
I am sure folks with more experience with this particular issue will chime in, but from my brief search, with lead core bullets, you will be able to seat the bullet deep enough to be a non-issue (like the Berger 170 grain EOL Elite Hunter bullet.) But some of those all-copper 'missiles' I've seen can be REALLY long (Hammer 168 grain comes to mind, and it needs a 1 in 7 twist.) Avoiding the longest of those and you can stick with the 'standard' (long action) magazine in that Win Model 70. Or load them long and feed them in 'single shot' style? Not ideal, but the Ruger #1 has killed lots of things over the years and it gets fed one at a time. The 160 grain .270 Nosler Partition would love a little faster twist rate but will seat fine (no need to lengthen magazine length.) Looks like the longest/heaviest all-copper bullet that would work with a 1 in 8 twist would be the Hammer 156 grain, but I don't see a COAL shown for it.
 
I really like my 280 ai with berger 168g classic hunter. Very easy to work up load. Works well on elk too. Thanks for helping the next generation.
 
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