Poor Man's 270 Sherman Possibility?

[JumpinLegs]

Hello all. I've got a hankering to get a cartridge with a bit more oomph to it, to customize/have customized a rifle, and to start reloading, all at once. The kicker is that I'm on a very, very tight budget. I know, this is already probably a recipe for disaster. Anyway, here's an idea that I had.

I have a Mossberg Patriot in .270 Win. I've read up on the 270 Sherman, and it seems like it will give me the performance that I'm looking for (something around a 7mm Rem Mag). I've looked at Boyd's stocks and like their thumbhole stocks a lot. I have been wanting to bed my action, and getting a new stock would be an excellent excuse to try that out. I don't have any reloading equipment (or experience) currently, but it's something that I've really wanted to do, and I've got 100 pieces of .270 brass lying around just waiting. The barrel on it is a 22" 1:10" twist. I've been getting about 1.5" accuracy at 100 yards, which I'm hoping to remedy with practice, reloading, and bedding. I don't think I could get the rifle rebarreled, and I'm not sure it's something that any gunsmiths would want to do on the budget Mossberg action (not to mention I don't think it's in the budget). Is it a terrible idea to have my rifle rechambered to 270 Sherman? I hunt in the West and want a rifle capable of long range hunting (not saying the .270 Win won't do the job; I just want something that would do it a little better). Or should I just save those pennies and get something else in another caliber (7mm Rem Mag?).

 

[ShootMo]

I see nothing wrong with your project, but I'm not as knowledgeable as a lot of the people here. With that said, you could keep all your goals if you're willing to do them one at a time. For instance, do the rechamber and reloading equipment and supplies in one move, then save up again for the stock.

 

[Ross1147]

I see nothing wrong either. I like the way the patriot looks and always thought it'd be a fun little gun. The way I'd do it is start off with the reloading equipment. No use having a wildcat unless you can make rounds for it right? This is going to be a pretty large up front cost if you are starting from scratch. You can get by with one of the kits from Hornady or RCBS initially. But you'll need to add on in the future with a tumbler and brass trimmer sooner or later. Sherman dies also cost an arm and a leg (well to be fair any wildcat die) so there's another expenditure.

If your getting 1.5" at 100 yds you may or may not improve on that if you stick with the same barrel. A smith will remove the barrel, set the shoulder back a little and rechamber in 270 Sherman (you'll probably need to rent the reamer from Rich so there's another 50 on top of the rechamber). So, ideally the chamber will be better than a mass produced rifle so you may get an accuracy increase, but same rifling so maybe not? If you can squeeze another barrel into the budget I'd try that. You can find some good deals on Shilen barrel blanks on midway usually. Not saying the stock barrel wouldn't work, it may work great. That's just a risk you're accepting when choosing to use it.

The Boyd stock will be a good addition, but I'd save that for last because you can use the factory stock until you replace it. Also, try and bed the factory stock initially. It will make great practice and you'll be less scared of screwing up the new stock.

Good luck on the build and ask questions often in here. There are some really smart people!

 

[JumpinLegs]

I see nothing wrong either. I like the way the patriot looks and always thought it'd be a fun little gun. The way I'd do it is start off with the reloading equipment. No use having a wildcat unless you can make rounds for it right? This is going to be a pretty large up front cost if you are starting from scratch. You can get by with one of the kits from Hornady or RCBS initially. But you'll need to add on in the future with a tumbler and brass trimmer sooner or later. Sherman dies also cost an arm and a leg (well to be fair any wildcat die) so there's another expenditure.

If your getting 1.5" at 100 yds you may or may not improve on that if you stick with the same barrel. A smith will remove the barrel, set the shoulder back a little and rechamber in 270 Sherman (you'll probably need to rent the reamer from Rich so there's another 50 on top of the rechamber). So, ideally the chamber will be better than a mass produced rifle so you may get an accuracy increase, but same rifling so maybe not? If you can squeeze another barrel into the budget I'd try that. You can find some good deals on Shilen barrel blanks on midway usually. Not saying the stock barrel wouldn't work, it may work great. That's just a risk you're accepting when choosing to use it.

The Boyd stock will be a good addition, but I'd save that for last because you can use the factory stock until you replace it. Also, try and bed the factory stock initially. It will make great practice and you'll be less scared of screwing up the new stock.

Good luck on the build and ask questions often in here. There are some really smart people!

I like the idea of getting the reloading equipment first. I can then cut my teeth on reloading what I have now before moving on to the Sherman.

I'm going to stick with the stock barrel until I either determine it's no good or until I come across some money. I think practice will help a lot, and reloading and bedding should help too. I'm going to take that advice to bed the stock...stock...haha. I'm sure extra practice won't hurt when I get the Boyd's.

 

[CVCOBRA1]

You are going in the right direction. Load what you have first before you go wildcatting. Maybe the factory load you are shooting now is not liked by your rifle. Have you tried different brands and bullet weights? In Comifornia you won't have many choices. Have to ask, what kind of shot are you? Maybe have someone you know that is a good shot try your setup. You might also think of an Ackley Improved instead of a full blown Sherman, no disrespect there for the Sherman.

 

[JumpinLegs]

You are going in the right direction. Load what you have first before you go wildcatting. Maybe the factory load you are shooting now is not liked by your rifle. Have you tried different brands and bullet weights? In Comifornia you won't have many choices. Have to ask, what kind of shot are you? Maybe have someone you know that is a good shot try your setup. You might also think of an Ackley Improved instead of a full blown Sherman, no disrespect there for the Sherman.

I'm an okay shot. I know I need practice. I had it down to 1.25" a couple years back, but I haven't been able to practice much and have lost a little. I have tried about 5 different loads, three different grains (130, 140, 150). It likes the 130s more from what I can tell. I also don't really have anybody near me that I know is a good shot, so I think I'll just have to become the good shot.

 

[Mustang72]

There is nothing wrong with your plan,but if on a very tight budget it certainly wouldn't be my plan. I like what the Sherman's do,I think they are great,but there's not much cheap about them. Until you get to the point of long range(700+) on animals then the Sherman won t really do anything more than a 270 will do. Same as my 30/06 will do pretty much everything my 300 will do. More speed is better but in one way or another you pay for it. If really on a tight budget my first goal would be to start reloading. Find the right load and you will cut cut your groups in half. My next thought would be to look for another rifle,probably a 280ai. No expensive dies,factory loads available,and cheap brass. Compare the ballistics to a 270 Sherman and a 7mag. Most of all spend all the money that you can and practice,practice,practice! As much as I personally don't care for a 270,you would be better off reloading for it,practicing a lot with it,bedding your stock,and upgrading your optics(probably),and making sure it has a good trigger and recoil pad. when your budget allows then add another gun,but by then you will probably grab your 270 most of the time anyway because you have lots of confidence and memories with it. I still grab my old 06 even though I have plenty of other choices.

No offense Rich,I think your rounds are great, just not the most budget freindly!

 

[Mustang72]

By the way-- not trying to start a 270 debate,it's been getting the job done for decades,just don't care for it personally. No offense meant to the 270 fans!

 

[JumpinLegs]

There is nothing wrong with your plan,but if on a very tight budget it certainly wouldn't be my plan. I like what the Sherman's do,I think they are great,but there's not much cheap about them. Until you get to the point of long range(700+) on animals then the Sherman won t really do anything more than a 270 will do. Same as my 30/06 will do pretty much everything my 300 will do. More speed is better but in one way or another you pay for it. If really on a tight budget my first goal would be to start reloading. Find the right load and you will cut cut your groups in half. My next thought would be to look for another rifle,probably a 280ai. No expensive dies,factory loads available,and cheap brass. Compare the ballistics to a 270 Sherman and a 7mag. Most of all spend all the money that you can and practice,practice,practice! As much as I personally don't care for a 270,you would be better off reloading for it,practicing a lot with it,bedding your stock,and upgrading your optics(probably),and making sure it has a good trigger and recoil pad. when your budget allows then add another gun,but by then you will probably grab your 270 most of the time anyway because you have lots of confidence and memories with it. I still grab my old 06 even though I have plenty of other choices.

No offense Rich,I think your rounds are great, just not the most budget freindly!

You have some solid points for sure. I think I've decided that I will start with the reloading and bedding before rechambering and restocking it. Practice is definitely high on my priorities. Better glass would help for sure, but I think I'll save that for the rechambering (unless I get some unexpected money soon). And while the Sherman dies are a bit pricey, I don't see that it's really more expensive to reload after the initial equipment purchase than other cartridges (unless only specific brands of brass brass can be used and I don't know that).

 

[elkaholic]

You have some solid points for sure. I think I've decided that I will start with the reloading and bedding before rechambering and restocking it. Practice is definitely high on my priorities. Better glass would help for sure, but I think I'll save that for the rechambering (unless I get some unexpected money soon). And while the Sherman dies are a bit pricey, I don't see that it's really more expensive to reload after the initial equipment purchase than other cartridges (unless only specific brands of brass brass can be used and I don't know that).

You can use any 270 or 280 brass
even 280 A.I.

 

[JumpinLegs]

You can use any 270 or 280 brass
even 280 A.I.

Awesome, that's what I thought. I've seen it needs to be necked up to .308 first, then back down. So I need to buy some kind of .308 die for that? Or how does that work? Like I said originally, I don't have any reloading experience yet.

 

[bigngreen]

I'm a huge 270 fan, I like nothing more than bringing a 7 mag to it's full potential with a 270 barrel Seriously though your issue is a 1-10 twist rate to being able to take full advantage of giving it a Shermanizing, your going to find it hard to find a smith that will charge you less than a full chamber job price if they will do it. You won't see the benefits of taking that to a Sherman if your platform is not solid, like bedding, mounts and trigger, get that under control and in good shape, learn to reload and shoot a lot and get your learning out on that barrel and then when your ready to go next level have a quality barrel with a 270 Sherman chamber in it and a 1-8 twist put on and take out some 170 Bergers or a 156 Hammer mono and and take it to the next level.

 

[elkaholic]

Awesome, that's what I thought. I've seen it needs to be necked up to .308 first, then back down. So I need to buy some kind of .308 die for that? Or how does that work? Like I said originally, I don't have any reloading experience yet.

All you need is a .308 expander ball. I use my '06 dies. Then you partial neck size with the Sherman dies and you're good.
Like folks are saying though, don't spend a bunch of $$$ on old stuff unless you know you'll end up better off.
Maybe load and play with your 270 first and save your $$ for a Sherman, or whatever, during that time.

 

[JumpinLegs]

I'm a huge 270 fan, I like nothing more than bringing a 7 mag to it's full potential with a 270 barrel Seriously though your issue is a 1-10 twist rate to being able to take full advantage of giving it a Shermanizing, your going to find it hard to find a smith that will charge you less than a full chamber job price if they will do it. You won't see the benefits of taking that to a Sherman if your platform is not solid, like bedding, mounts and trigger, get that under control and in good shape, learn to reload and shoot a lot and get your learning out on that barrel and then when your ready to go next level have a quality barrel with a 270 Sherman chamber in it and a 1-8 twist put on and take out some 170 Bergers or a 156 Hammer mono and and take it to the next level.

Do you know of any issues with rebarreling the Mossberg action? If I just get a barrel blank, a gunsmith should be able to get that new barrel on okay? I just haven't heard of many people putting new barrels on Mossbergs.