45 Years with a .270 Winchester
“The .270. It shoots a good ball-a very fast ball” -Jack O’Conner.
Many things defined the “Roaring 1920’s. The Ford Model T, Coolidge, the Great Depression. Winchester introduced the .270 In 1925. It endures 100 years later!
Two thoughts ran through my mind as I clicked off the safety, sighted on the eland’s shoulder, and squeezed off.
For one, many African professional hunters like a .375 magnum for eland. I had first-hand observations earlier in the trip watching another hunter pump several .300 WM into an eland before it succumbed.
Kwock!
The eland bucked up like a bronc on its back legs and fell on its side kicking its massive hooves in the Kalahari sand. Such results were the result of a very large caliber, right? Wrong! Did I pull the shot high and spine him? No, wrong again.
The shot placement was exactly as aimed, breaking the near shoulder and destroying a lung – and was done with a 150 grain Nosler from a .270 Winchester!
Jack O’Conner’s Aricles
From the mid-1960’s through his death in 1977 I looked forward to Jack O’Conner’s articles every month, first in Outdoor Life then Petersen’s Hunting. O’Conner’s use and praise of the .270 Winchester and importance of shot placement and quality bullets for success was great advice.
O’Conner’s influence has served me well for over four decades. On August 2, 1980 I walked into a Michigan gun shop and a new Ruger model 77 in .270 Winchester serial number 74-09831 became mine for 269 bucks. Later that year I traveled to South Texas and shot a javelina with my new rifle.
Hunting opportunities were frequent through the 1980’s and the .270 got a workout on hunts in Michigan, Texas, Utah, Zimbabwe, Quebec, Botswana, Belgium, Republic of South Africa, Ontario, Wyoming, and Spain.
The 1980’s hunts resulted in a lot of wear and tear and in 1992 I decided it was time to rebuild and upgrade. A Bell & Carlson Kevlar stock, Timney trigger, and a pillar bedded Shilen match grade hand lapped barrel of heavier contour than original made it a reliable and accurate rifle for all of my non-dangerous game hunting.
Hunting Experience and Statistics
- 14 Countries
- 9 US States
- 4 Canadian Provinces
- 5 Continents
- Alabama to Zimbabwe
- Allegator to Zebra
- 42 species
- -0- lost animals
- Over 100 animals collected
- 9 required a follow up shot
- 3 required tracking to recover
Favorite Hunting Trip Memories
Taking a kudu in Zimbabwe in 1982 after a long “crab crawl” stalk at high noon on the last day of the hunt.
A color faze bear on my 5th and 1st successful bear hunt. A spot and stalk hunt on a beautiful fall day in Central British Columbia.
Gold class mouflon and wild boar in France 2020.
Most Recent Experiences
In August 2024 I completed a bucket list hunt in Greenland and using my .270 killed a muskox and caribou using the Federal 136 grain Ascent which performed flawlessly.
Future Plans
2025 Wyoming antelope and deer.
2026 Mallorca Spain Balearean Goat
In Summary
O’Conner’s direction never goes out of style, proper shot placement and quality ammo suited for the game being hunted. My favorite for many years was the original Trophy Bonded Bear Claw in 140 grain and since my last two boxes of these were stolen, my current go-to is the Federal 136 grain Terminal Ascent which so far has performed equally good and are extremely accurate in my .270
Use YOUR favorite caliber with quality ammo and it will be all over except for the picture taking!
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