barrel length for a 270 Win?

[Stalker]

I am building a 270 win on an old rem 721 action. I've never owned a 270 so it is all new to me. Im building the rifle for an all around hunting rig and not so much a long range rifle. I plan on developing some lighter loads with 90gr bullets and dont plan on shooting anything heavier than 130gr. I d like to keep the barrel shorter as most my hunting is in brushy areas. I'm thinking barrel length between 20"-22". is this length too short for this round?
Probably 95% of my shots will be inside 200yds but I'd like some accuracy out to 500yds if possible.
Barrel length, ROT? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Derek M.]

22 inches is a common factory length. Some makers offered a 20" in a light weight rifle. I like 24" for a more optimal use of the caliber. But for your purposes, especially 200 yards for a common shot, go 20"

 

[Stalker]

the rifle currently has a 22" barrel (30-06) and handles superbly. I am however going with a heavier barrel and maybe 20" would balance out better.
What will I loose with the 270 going with a shorter barrel? I havent completely ruled out 24" if it will give me a lot of improvement.

 

[Derek M.]

the rifle currently has a 22" barrel (30-06) and handles superbly. I am however going with a heavier barrel and maybe 20" would balance out better.
What will I loose with the 270 going with a shorter barrel? I havent completely ruled out 24" if it will give me a lot of improvement.

Well, I don't really like heavy rifles. I don't find any joy in carrying them. So, if it were me and you went with a heavier contour bbl, I'd cut it to 20" and you nor any animal you shoot with a well placed bullet will know any difference compared to a longer bbl.

That said, I prefer a 24" on most of my 270s and one has a 25.5" bbl. But my contours are #3 and #1. To specifically answer your question, you will lose velocity, and gain a bit of volume on muzzle blast with a 20" tube.

 

[Sennaspeed]

I much prefer a 24" tube on my 270's and have never felt that the extra inches handicapped me in any way.

That said a 20" would kill just fine but with added muzzle blast.

I'd personally go with a lighter contour (#1 or #2) and cut it at 24".