You've been drinking the kool-aid too long. Yes the .280 AI outperforms the .270 Win but it isnt by that much. Plus if you're going to try and shoot elk beyond 500 yards on a regular basis with either the .280 AI or .270 Win, you would be better off moving to a magnum of some sort.
Tikka 270win to magnum
- Thread starter ofl0926
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
You've been drinking the kool-aid too long. Yes the .280 AI outperforms the .270 Win but it isnt by that much. Plus if you're going to try and shoot elk beyond 500 yards on a regular basis with either the .280 AI or .270 Win, you would be better off moving to a magnum of some sort.
Lol, maybe. You are right on the 270 not being adecuate for a 700 yd kill, but the 280 AI will do just fine.
I agree with you that the op is better off with a magnum, but he would have to change the bolt face. The 280 AI is I believe the closest he can get to a magnum performance with minimal changes to the rifle.
I have re-chambered my T3 270 win to 270 Weatherbty. It is a Beast and shoots <1/2'' groups@100 using 130gr Barnes TTSX @ 3400 fps out of a stock 22.4"barrel. My smith turned my bolt face out to .520 and I use a 300 Mag magazine. I use a 145 eld-m for 1000yd steel. Bug hole .179" groups using H4350 running 2860 fps. It is one of my favorite rifles and an inexpensive build. I Love it!
To go to a 280ai you will need a .284" barrel. Just re-chamber your 22" . 270 win barrel to 270 Wby and machine the bolt face to .532"and you done.
Last edited:
Why don't we take a step back and look at actual numbers for a minute. Most factory .280 AI rifles are going to have the best luck with bullets in the 160 grain range, you start running the 175+ VLD style bullets and you're having to compromise on powder room for higher BC bullets in a factory magazine. Same goes with the .270 we're around 150 grains, but those of us who shoot it are also hamstrung by the factory 1:10 twist in these rifles. The .280 AI will always have an advantage with speed as well because of its larger case capacity.
So if we compare some bullets and get some real data you'll find. I computed these using JBM Trajectory, an average of what people post as actual speeds and what reloading data I could find using these bullets with a 100 yard zero and at sea level. Since 700 yards seems to be your limiting factor lets for the .280 AI let us use that.
.277 145 gr Hornady ELDX MV 3000 fps
@ 700 yards
-14.7 MOA drop
4.6 MOA wind
1883 FPS
1117 Ft-Lbs energy
.277 150gr Nosler LRAB (.278 G7 Litz corrected BC) MV 2900 fps
@ 700 yards
-15.6 MOA drop
4.5 MOA wind
1830 FPS
1115 Ft-Lbs energy
.284 162 gr Hornady ELDX MV 3000 fps
@ 700 yards
-13.9 MOA drop
3.9 MOA wind
1987 FPS
1420 Ft-Lbs energy
.284 175 gr Hornady ELDX MV 2800 fps
@ 700 yards
-15.9 MOA drop
4.0 MOA Wind
1381 Ft-Lbs energy
So when I look at long range cartridges, first thing that concerns me is wind. All of these bullets are within .7 MOA of wind value at 700 yards but that's pretty darn close. Next thing I look at is velocity I like to keep my bullets well above the minimum working velocity, Nosler claims 1300 fps on the LRAB I don't know if Hornady gives a low. However, they're all 1800 fps plus and I think they'll work at those speeds. Drop I don't worry about a laser range finder and a scope with repeatable adjustments will take care of that. I don't care about energy much either, if energy was truly what was needed to kill animals like elk then we wouldn't be allowed a primitive hunting season. However, all of them are under the 1500 ft-lbs most will say is necessary for elk hunting at 700 yards.
So in my reality you're going to go from a .270 Win to a .280 AI for .7 MOA wind, and 157 FPS gain. Again this is just my opinion, but that doesn't make it worth the cost of a rebarrel on any rifle. Especially a Tikka that probably shoots lights out as is, and why I say money is better spent on ammunition and trigger time vs. gunsmith and barrel costs.
HARPERC
Well-Known Member
If one gets as far as changing barrels....it opens up the possibility of a faster twist in the .270. This would allow taking advantage of some of the heavier bullets, which narrow the gap even further.
The same 1-10" twist in the .270 Weatherby, also limits getting the full potential from the magnum case.
freddiej
Well-Known Member
Why change anything but the slugs you use? the 140 grain TSX and TTSX work so well on Elk in my Tikka 695 that I would only rebarrel it just to make it a 1:8" rather than a 1"10" twist so that I could shoot the 150 TSX and the 180 grain Berger VLD hunting slugs. that is all I would change on my 270 Win.
Same issue with bolt face
osok-1k
Well-Known Member
I'm waiting to see if a 7mm PRC is coming. Sorry, I don't mean to get anything started, but then...
If it were me, I'd keep the Tikka as is and buy or build a rifle to your specs. If you like Remington, new receivers can be had for under $350, magnum, LA, SA, carbon or stainless. If you want a better bolt you can get them without a bolt for even less.
If it were me, I'd keep the Tikka as is and buy or build a rifle to your specs. If you like Remington, new receivers can be had for under $350, magnum, LA, SA, carbon or stainless. If you want a better bolt you can get them without a bolt for even less.
Keep the 270. It shoots flat enough to pack a punch at long distance. I've had a 270 for over 30 years.
The 280 ai is great in its own right because you have a better availability of heavier bullets. Just depends on what you want to do. I have the 270, and 280ai, and 7mm rem mag. They are close when shooting the same weight bullets., not that much difference.
The 280 ai is great in its own right because you have a better availability of heavier bullets. Just depends on what you want to do. I have the 270, and 280ai, and 7mm rem mag. They are close when shooting the same weight bullets., not that much difference.
Unless it is due for a re-barrel, leave it alone. As others have noted, the .270 Win is no slouch and really depends on your purpose. I have a .270 AI with 30" Lilja 1:8" 3G SS #6 barrel propelling the 175 Matrix VLD at 2993 FPS.
Sounds heavy to pack around!
HARPERC
Well-Known Member
Sounded like a good example of how to put the .270 on a level field with modern bullets. Certainly room to taylor the rifle to personal taste.
jjmp
Well-Known Member
Lots of good ideas ,But bac in JOC,days he still had access to the 270 Weatherby magnum & He still choise the 270 WCF , just something to mull over . It's still here for Good reason ,& I'm sure I can't out shoot any of mine yet,but it's fun to Dream the what ifs,Cheers have fun !!!.
