I used a Pre-1964 Winchester in .270 Winchester with 150 grain Nosler Partition bullets for a long time. Every elk and moose I shot dropped pretty darned nicely, and if I were to go back to the .270 I would use the same as my all around bullet in it.
270 Winchester bullet choice for deer and elk
- Thread starter MontanaOutdoorsman406
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J E Custom
Well-Known Member
The 270 win does best on deer with the 130 to 140 grain bullets In my experience with shooting /hunting with it for years. And the 150 to 160 for larger game like the Elk.
There are lots of good bullets today and one of my favorites is bonded core bullets (Like the Accubond) I use the 130 Interbond in the 270 and the 140 grain Accubond exclusively for deer in my 7 WSM because they perform so consistently no matter where the shot placement is or the distance.
I consider the 270 a 6 to 800 yard cartridge thus the need for heavier bullets with higher BCs are not necessary unless you are shooting targets.
That doesn't mean it wont perform at longer distances, just that I prefer something with more energy and velocity for those distances(800+ yards).
Just My opinion
J E CUSTOM
There are lots of good bullets today and one of my favorites is bonded core bullets (Like the Accubond) I use the 130 Interbond in the 270 and the 140 grain Accubond exclusively for deer in my 7 WSM because they perform so consistently no matter where the shot placement is or the distance.
I consider the 270 a 6 to 800 yard cartridge thus the need for heavier bullets with higher BCs are not necessary unless you are shooting targets.
That doesn't mean it wont perform at longer distances, just that I prefer something with more energy and velocity for those distances(800+ yards).
Just My opinion
J E CUSTOM
quote because they perform so consistently no matter where the shot placement is or the distance. endquote
This is the only thing that I completely do not agree with in your reply. Shot placement is everything, and an experienced hunter will know this.
This is the only thing that I completely do not agree with in your reply. Shot placement is everything, and an experienced hunter will know this.
Hand Skills
Well-Known Member
I think you may have read that out of context. Most of us agree that shot placement is number one. Experienced hunters also find that every shot is different. Sometimes perfect placement is breaking big bones, sometimes it's going through ribs, other times it's looking to break the neck or spine. Having a bullet that performs consistently under vastly different circumstances is what defines 'adequate' bullet construction for me.
J E Custom
Well-Known Member
No problem.
When I first built my 7 WSM I was trying to get the most performance
and shot to shot consistency from a short action 7 mm. so learning from my experience with the 270 I decided to try the bonded core bullets for the WSM.
To prove the bullets were very accurate and bullet performance was also very dependable and consistent no mater where you picked your POI, I set out to make different shots to test the overall performance of the bullets. (On one of my 7mm rifles I had an issue with bullets grenadeing on impact at Distances less than 500 yards and had to load two separate loads. One for close and one for 500+ yards. Velocities were off the charts so I cant blame the bullets but I did want a bullet that reacted the same or close to the same every time) .
I picked Neck shots, shoulder shots, High shoulder shots, Spine shots, and the traditional, behind the shoulder in the heart/lung location. What I found was with the Accubond, exit wounds were almost exactly the same no matter where the shot placement was (Exit wound was between 1'' and 1 1/2''inches). This is what I call consistent and was what I was looking for. I normally don't make some of these shots but in case I misread the wind or distance it is nice to know I have a bullet that I can depend on.
Shot placement is everything no matter which bullet you are using, But it is not a perfect world and Perfect shots are not always the end results . so a good dependable bullet is the tip of the day. I read all the time about how bullet XXXXX shoots and how high the BCs are but how poorly it performed on this one shot when it normally does great.
I believe nothing I read and only half of what I see, so I end up proving
to my self what is true and what is not. There is a lot more to picking a good bullet than looking at the highest BC or the best looking one. It must prove its self to me before It becomes my go to bullet. If a person tries to analyze why a bullet did not do what it should have the answer may be clear, it was the wrong bullet for the use. Not the bullets fault .
J E CUSTOM
When I first built my 7 WSM I was trying to get the most performance
and shot to shot consistency from a short action 7 mm. so learning from my experience with the 270 I decided to try the bonded core bullets for the WSM.
To prove the bullets were very accurate and bullet performance was also very dependable and consistent no mater where you picked your POI, I set out to make different shots to test the overall performance of the bullets. (On one of my 7mm rifles I had an issue with bullets grenadeing on impact at Distances less than 500 yards and had to load two separate loads. One for close and one for 500+ yards. Velocities were off the charts so I cant blame the bullets but I did want a bullet that reacted the same or close to the same every time) .
I picked Neck shots, shoulder shots, High shoulder shots, Spine shots, and the traditional, behind the shoulder in the heart/lung location. What I found was with the Accubond, exit wounds were almost exactly the same no matter where the shot placement was (Exit wound was between 1'' and 1 1/2''inches). This is what I call consistent and was what I was looking for. I normally don't make some of these shots but in case I misread the wind or distance it is nice to know I have a bullet that I can depend on.
Shot placement is everything no matter which bullet you are using, But it is not a perfect world and Perfect shots are not always the end results . so a good dependable bullet is the tip of the day. I read all the time about how bullet XXXXX shoots and how high the BCs are but how poorly it performed on this one shot when it normally does great.
I believe nothing I read and only half of what I see, so I end up proving
to my self what is true and what is not. There is a lot more to picking a good bullet than looking at the highest BC or the best looking one. It must prove its self to me before It becomes my go to bullet. If a person tries to analyze why a bullet did not do what it should have the answer may be clear, it was the wrong bullet for the use. Not the bullets fault .
J E CUSTOM
bigngreen
Well-Known Member
I've seen no consistency in the Accubonds, basically left with punching them in the shoulders to ensure decent expansion, I've put 140 Accubonds and 140 Berger's through the same elk and that was the end of Accubonds for me. We shoot 130 grand slams a lot, seen my buddy pile up a lot of elk with them, 140 Berger's are especially sweet but one elk nothing beats the 165 Matrix.
MontanaOutdoorsman406
Well-Known Member
If I had a faster twist barrel I would give them a try mines the standards 1-10
J E Custom
Well-Known Member
Everyone will probably have slightly different results with all bullets because of the velocity of there load at the POI. That is the reason I test
as many bullets for the cartridge as It will allow and come up with the best bullet for the game with that particular cartridge.
I still use many different bullets because some will just not work in many of them. I just like the consistency of the Accubonds in the medium to large caliber cartridge rifles. A good friend uses the LR Accubonds for longer shots with DRT results.
In the lower velocity cartridges I use a lot of Ballistic Tips and am very happy with them. The point is, depending on the cartridge, the rifle, And the velocity combination I use different bullets.
In my opinion, There is no "golden Bullet" that works for all situations
and trial is the only way to find out. I don't push any bullet, just the one that works best for me and for my needs and of course with the approval of my rifle.
J E CUSTOM
as many bullets for the cartridge as It will allow and come up with the best bullet for the game with that particular cartridge.
I still use many different bullets because some will just not work in many of them. I just like the consistency of the Accubonds in the medium to large caliber cartridge rifles. A good friend uses the LR Accubonds for longer shots with DRT results.
In the lower velocity cartridges I use a lot of Ballistic Tips and am very happy with them. The point is, depending on the cartridge, the rifle, And the velocity combination I use different bullets.
In my opinion, There is no "golden Bullet" that works for all situations
and trial is the only way to find out. I don't push any bullet, just the one that works best for me and for my needs and of course with the approval of my rifle.
J E CUSTOM
bigngreen
Well-Known Member
We run them in 10 twist at Mt elevations they flat shoot!
MontanaOutdoorsman406
Well-Known Member
Thank you to everyone that is responding it all helps
RockyMtnMT
Official LRH Sponsor
Montanaoutdoorsman406,
What is your realistic range for hunting?
Steve
What is your realistic range for hunting?
Steve
MontanaOutdoorsman406
Well-Known Member
I understand this rifle and caliber have limitations depending on conditions and the animal I'm shooting at I'd say 500 max
Honestly I can't think of any 270 bullet we have used failing do deliver a clean kill unless poor shot placement was involved. Thinking back over the past few years these are the 270 bullets we have taken elk and deer with:
Under 500 yards
Barnes tsx 270 130gr - 3 bulls, 2 bucks
Nosler ballestic tip 270 130gr, 6 bucks
Hornady 270 110gr spitzer youth loads, 3 cows
Nosler 270 150gr partition, 2 deer (extensive damage)
Accubond 270 140gr, 4 deer
ABLR 270 (wsm) 150gr, 1 deer
Over 500 yards
Accubond (not LR) 270 (wsm) 140gr, 1 deer at 1000 yards
ABLR 270 (wsm) 150gr, 1 deer
That is all I can remember from 270 bullets. The 270 150gr ABLR do require a higher than 1:10 twist at 3500 ft (in my experience) to stabilize and achieve advertised BC. 1:8 works very well.
In the end it all comes down to shot placement. A reasonably good bullet and a little good fortune help but not the main ingredient.
Under 500 yards
Barnes tsx 270 130gr - 3 bulls, 2 bucks
Nosler ballestic tip 270 130gr, 6 bucks
Hornady 270 110gr spitzer youth loads, 3 cows
Nosler 270 150gr partition, 2 deer (extensive damage)
Accubond 270 140gr, 4 deer
ABLR 270 (wsm) 150gr, 1 deer
Over 500 yards
Accubond (not LR) 270 (wsm) 140gr, 1 deer at 1000 yards
ABLR 270 (wsm) 150gr, 1 deer
That is all I can remember from 270 bullets. The 270 150gr ABLR do require a higher than 1:10 twist at 3500 ft (in my experience) to stabilize and achieve advertised BC. 1:8 works very well.
In the end it all comes down to shot placement. A reasonably good bullet and a little good fortune help but not the main ingredient.
