new Gun

[erc]

Hello all. New the site and getting back in the field after years of not being. Posting here since I'm going to start with yotes and groundhogs mostly.

I read the other thread of your setups but didn't want to de-rail it with noob stuff, so here goes.

From the looks of the other thread, I guess I picked a caliber that is way more than is "needed", but for the price, I had to get it.

Like lots of folks these days, cash is on the tight side, but all I had to start with is a Mosin 91/30. While a fun gun to shoot, and milsurp ammo is cheap, it's not the best platform to scope without "sporterizing" it. No problems here on folks that do that, I just prefer to keep it original (also helps the "need a new gun" argument with the accountant (wife). ;D

Anyway, I ran across a scoped Winchester Mod. 70 Ultimate Shadow a couple days ago, and for the price, couldn't pass it up.

I guess the "problem" is that it's in .270WSM. I'll pick it up next week and get some sight time with, but really, is it too much for dogs and (ground)hogs?

I also have a couple friends in MS, and TX that I might try to go visit and do some hog huntin'.

[drs]

Finding ammo for your MDL-70 in .270WSM could be a chore. You can sportierize your Mosin 91/30 without spending a lot of money, but the accuracy wouldn't match a Winchester Model 70's.

[erc]

Thanks drs.
Yeah I'm finding it a bit tough on the local level for sure, and it's pricey when I do ($45 per 20 rounds). Might have to order online if the gun shoots at all, or have it for some trade boot on something else.
Modern brass rounds for the Mosin are not as bad, but like you say, I know the accuracy would be less than optimal for longer range shots. I can hit targets on 8.5x11 with it a 200 and irons at the range using light ball milsurp, but not consistently really. Maybe four out of five times. My eyes without a scope don't help either though.

[omegahunter]

You need to find someone to load those .270 WSM's with 90 to 110 grain bullets for varmints. Those would scream!! Probably would not even have pass-throughs on coyotes, maybe not on full grown groundhogs.

[dbd870]

I have a 270WSM and took an 8pt with it this last season - I've read it's a very accurate round and when I had a chance to pick one up from another member on here I couldn't resist; my experience so far confirms it. I load for the 270WSM and you would be welcome to borrow some press time. I don't feel comfortable reloading for others but I wouldn't mind walking you through it. Set yourself up with brass powder and bullets and if you're close enough to me & want do it PM me for a time that would work. I agree something like a 110gr VMax ought to be really impressive!

[erc]

Thanks dbd870 for the offer. I have a friend up by Tell City that's just bought a Mossy in .243 and has offered as well. I've ever only loaded for shotgun years ago when I dove hunted, so this brass thing is all new to me. I've been looking around at stuff and costs just to get an idea, and since I could also load for the .357, 9mm,.40, and .45 handguns I have, it might be worth the initial eqpt costs.

Yeah omegahunter, I found a load pushing a 90 to almost 3800, but whether it would shoot in this gun ,who knows right now.

Just in 270WSM it looks like I could be shooting a 60 cent reload as opposed to a 2 dollar factory round and factory rounds will get pricey quick if it's picky. I've also not seen any factory loads less than 130 gr, so the bullet options alone are worth thinking about. And Dave's has 90 and 110 Sierras on the shelf.

Once I get the thing home and some rounds down range to see if I like it, I'll get more serious.

[omegahunter]

Good luck. I love knockin' 'em down with home-cooked rounds! I reload everything I have except the rimfires.

[erc]

Welp, I gotta say I like it so far. I picked it Tues. and bugged out to a friend's house in northern MS Weds. The thing had me a bit worried on recoil, but it's rather tame in my opinion.
We only had about 100 yds to sight the scope, but it was spot on.

We went to a "groundhog town" and I got a shot at one from 200 or so but just flat missed. I put the cross hairs on his shoulders but the bullet splash was behind him. I guess I'll have to get to Sugar Ridge and the 200 range and re zero.

I think this gun is a keeper, especially if I get to loading for it so I can get the best from it.

[dbd870]

I agree, recoil is very mild. Glad you like the rifle - good luck with those hogs.

[bradley300]

Mar 11, 2010 12:20:20 GMT -5 omegahunter said:

You need to find someone to load those .270 WSM's with 90 to 110 grain bullets for varmints. Those would scream!! Probably would not even have pass-throughs on coyotes, maybe not on full grown groundhogs.

federal makes a 110 grain round in a barnes tipped tsx. according to my ballistcs app its the flatest shooting round for the 270 wsm.its still going about 2500 fps at 400 yards and with a little less than 1500 ft lbs of energy.

they are a no lead bullet so finding them in a state where you can shoot lead might be a problem, but you can always order plenty off the web.