.270 Ammo For Elk

[Durangoadam]

I'm going to be using a .270 for my upcoming Elk hunt in Colorado. I'm interested to hear some insight on the Ammo that you'd recommend. I'm a bit nervous that a 130 Grain bullet isn't enough, but I've also heard over and over again that a 130 Grain shot accurately is more important that a 150 Grain you aren't comfortable with. Part of me wants to settle on a 140 Grain bullet and meet in the middle.

What are your thoughts??

 

[PARA1]

I would use a Partition if I found a load that shot well in your rifle, if not I believe an accubond or TTSX I believe Nosler loads the accubond
in their line in 270 that's where I would start. V/R

 

[Warren1726]

I will be using a Nosler Accubond 130 gr in my 270 with no hesitation. I shot the buck in my avatar last year with that round, smashed two ribs on the way in and broke the other side shoulder. That was at 250 yards.

 

[6mm Remington]

Accubond or Partition, 130 or 140 grains, I'd shoot the one that your rifle likes and you will kill elk!

 

[martin_shooter]

My rifle shoots federal fusion factory ammo better than anything else. I shot a bull with a 130gr fusion @ 496 yards last year. It took two steps and tipped over.

 

[TimeOnTarget]

Accubond or Partition, 130 or 140 grains, I'd shoot the one that your rifle likes and you will kill elk!

x2. Pick a well constructed bullet and put it where it needs to be and you'll have an elk on the ground.

 

[Beastmode]

I use a 130 gr ttsx. Seems to do the trick. A well placed shot with a bullet that holds together for good penetration. I would be a little more hesitant with the shots you take. I would limit them to under 400 yards.

 

[Chris Sloan]

Had no problem shooting my muley in the neck at 200yds w a 150gr Federal Fusion. That extra 20 gr wont affect your accuracy....negatively that is. It probably will help actually esp for wind. Snipers shoot heavy bullets. Sierra bullets specialty bullets for long range in 30 cal are 225 gr. Just throwin that out there. Wish i could get some 165gr factory 270 rds for my ruger.

 

[gmajor]

A lot of 7mm-08 guys (extremely similar cartridge) are loving 140 grain accubonds on elk.

 

[7stw]

If your gun will shoot them well try barnes either the tsx or ttsx solid copper excellent weight retention and expansion. They kill extremely well. My bullet of choice on everything from coyotes on up in size. A good friend of mine uses them in a .25-06 on elk successfully several times. If you don't handload federal loads them in their premium line and barnes has their vortex ammo line as well. Practice and use your .270 with confidence.

 

[RamDreamer]

I would agree with using a ttsx. I use that in my .300 win mag and am making the switch to my .270 as well. A few years ago I ran out of my trophy bonded bear claws for my .270 and used the Hornady SST since they shot really well out of it. Well I ended up hitting the elk in the shoulder on the first shot and when I started quartering him out I noticed that the bullet basically disintegrated right there at the shoulder with little penetration after that (basically chunks the size of birds shot went in a little further). Granted their shoulders are tough I was not impressed and saw something similar on the mule deer I shot later in the year. Whatever you choose make sure it is at least a bonded bullet and that your gun shoots them well. Good luck!

 

[bpctcb]

Just shoot whatever your rifle shoots accurately.

I love 110 grain TTSX out of my 270's. I load them fast and they strike like lightning!

BP

 

[LaGriz]

Years ago,
On our way to a rifle hunt in New Mexico (2000) my partner purchased 2 boxes of hand loads from the owner of a gun shop in Dalhart, Tx.
The .270 WIN rounds were loaded with 140gr. Swift A frame bullets. He showed us two "perfect mushrooms" recovered from elk. Claimed another 6 were killed with no bullet recovery. Ben was unable to get a shot on that hunt, but piled up the whitetails in the next few years as his push-feed M70 seemed to like the load very much. Many one shot kills came from those 2 boxes. I have had good success and outstanding accuracy in my .280 with the accubonds. IMHO you could not go wrong with either load on elk with your .270. Shoot the one your rifle likes the best. I think Remington loaded the 140gr A-frame bullet in their Safari line of ammo. Winchester E-tip, Fail Safe, Trophy Bonded Tip, and Bonded Bear Claw are all good examples of controlled expansion bullets available in the 270.
LaGriz

 

[Chris Sloan]

To expand...I wouldnt worry to much about a certain weight bullet being more accurate than the other, but more the actual finished rounds accuracy. I can shoot hole in hole with a handful of my sweetest rifles from 50gr 22 to 180gr 30-06. You should be able to shoot bullseyes the same w 130s as 150s. If your having trouble with the 150s just try another manufacturer, youll find one your rifle likes. No doubt common sense says tougher, thicker target, a heavier bullet will give you more ft lbs= more penetration, as long as your not getting hollowpoints. That doesnt mean you cant cant kill elk with a 130 or even a 90gr. But youll get more performance for those "borderline" shots. You dont have to spend a fortune either, 150 gr Remington cor locts stay together really well, mentioned Federal Fusions before. Plus whats the actual accuracy diff of 130 vs 150 on elk size vitals? Elk hearts are huge!

 

[WyoElk]

The 10 grains of difference is negligible. Use a premium bullet that you and your rifle are comfortable with. To put you at ease, I'm using 100 grain TTSX's out of a .257WBY on elk. I have killed elk with this combo in the past with great results and will attempt to kill 2 more this year with the same.

 

[bowieknife50]

I would agree with using a ttsx. I use that in my .300 win mag and am making the switch to my .270 as well. A few years ago I ran out of my trophy bonded bear claws for my .270 and used the Hornady SST since they shot really well out of it. Well I ended up hitting the elk in the shoulder on the first shot and when I started quartering him out I noticed that the bullet basically disintegrated right there at the shoulder with little penetration after that (basically chunks the size of birds shot went in a little further). Granted their shoulders are tough I was not impressed and saw something similar on the mule deer I shot later in the year. Whatever you choose make sure it is at least a bonded bullet and that your gun shoots them well. Good luck!

I miss the bear claws. Still have a box and a half left.

 

[2peterhunter]

I used my tikka t3 270 on a bull this year had 180 grain fusion! It went 20 yards and tipped over. Found the bullet poking thru the skin on the far side!

 

[Mckinnon]

My wife knocked her bull down this year with a 270 Win, 140 gr accubond at 300 yards, bull went 30 yards. Complete pass through.

 

[GibsonKuenzi]

Anybody killed anything with bergers in a .270?

 

[Gobbler36]

Hornady SST 130 did anumber on my elk this year.