Best All Copper Cartridge for Elk & Whitetail Deer for a Tikka T3 .270?

[timcorcoran]

Hey there,

I am looking for recommendations on a cartridge with 100% copper bullet to use for BOTH elk and white tail deer in my Tikka T3 .270. I've been using Sako Hammerhead cartridges with great luck the past 8 years, but would like to switch to an all copper bullet.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

-Tim

 

[JFK]

Barnes LRX or TTSX. If you handload there are some other bullets like Hammer that are worth a look.

 

[Macintosh]

I'm also curious, as I have a 270 tikka barrel more or less on the way--a step up in velocity from what I've been using simply to better take advantage of copper bullets. The 129gr LRX would be my go-to to try, but I'm also curious as the 6.8 western and other new .277 cartridges become more available if we'll see some heavier copper bullets in the future that might open up more possibilities for the 270...and also wondering how a 1:10 twist barrel will handle them. I've heard a number of people say they had trouble getting their 1:10 270 to shoot 150gr lead well, so wondering if a 130-ish gr copper will have similar issues?

 

[t_carlson]

Federal loads a 130 Barnes TSX. That is what I shoot in my .270.

 

[JFK]

I'm also curious, as I have a 270 tikka barrel more or less on the way--a step up in velocity from what I've been using simply to better take advantage of copper bullets. The 129gr LRX would be my go-to to try, but I'm also curious as the 6.8 western and other new .277 cartridges become more available if we'll see some heavier copper bullets in the future that might open up more possibilities for the 270...and also wondering how a 1:10 twist barrel will handle them. I've heard a number of people say they had trouble getting their 1:10 270 to shoot 150gr lead well, so wondering if a 130-ish gr copper will have similar issues?

I have three 270’s (why? I don’t know) and live in Ca where I have to shoot copper. I handload for them and like to mess around with different bullets.

There are already different copper bullets being made that require a faster twist. Hammer, Badlands, etc make them. If I was having a 270 barrel made I’d absolutely twist it in 1:8 as it’s not going to hurt anything and you might decide to use a bullet that needs it. I have a win M70 action I’m going to do this to but just haven’t gotten around to it.

That said, if you are shooting copper you really don’t want to load the super heavy’s. 110-130grs is pretty much the sweet spot for maximizing muzzle velocity so they open up. With lead bullets to you could likely load up to 160-170. The traditional 150gr lead cup and core bullets stabilize just fine in the 1:10, but the long sleek bullets (Berger EOL) don’t.

The three bullets I currently shoot are the 110gr TTSX, 117gr Hammer Hunter and 129gr LRX. They have all worked fine and been very easy to load for.

 

[Mosby]

Barnes has proven to be the most accurate bullet in the majority of my rifles. I use the TSX or the LRX depending on caliber.

 

[S.Clancy]

Bullet stabilization is more about length than weight. For example, 130 gr TTSX stabilize fine in a 1:10 twist .270, the 126gr Hammer Hunters will not, due to the length for increased BC.

If you handload, shoot the 124 Hammer Hunters in a 1:10 twist, or if our barrel is faster shoot the 126s. We have had excellent performance on elk and mule deer out to 470 yards.

If you buy factory, there are tons of options with the TTSX

 

[Tod osier]

Hey there,

I am looking for recommendations on a cartridge with 100% copper bullet to use for BOTH elk and white tail deer in my Tikka T3 .270. I've been using Sako Hammerhead cartridges with great luck the past 8 years, but would like to switch to an all copper bullet.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

-Tim

Barnes Vor-Tx factory loaded TTSX 130s shoot and perform very well in mine. I've handloaded LRX 129s and they shoot very well, but I don't have much on game performance experience with those.

 

[jayhawk]

Those TTSXs run the best in my .270. They've always performed well when I hit something too.

 

[S-3 ranch]

sako blade is good if you got a place to buy
ttsx , Cx , federal copper
I will run any mono except a hammer, imo hammer has to many flaws in the alloy

 

[Fullfan]

Another vote for the Barnes TTSX

 

[hiker270]

The TTSX or the LRX are both excellent choices. And to top it off they are almost always available.

 

[DKennedy951]

Barnes Vor-TX 130 grain has been the perfect factory round for my Tikka T3 Hunter in .270

 

[Short Track]

I had problems with the TTSX. 168gr. Accurate, but no expansion. I'm moving on to lighter or accubonds.

 

[VinoVino]

I’m still going through my stash of Remington HTP .270 ammo. Those have 130 grain TSX bullets and work well. I wouldn’t hesitate to use the Barnes Vor-Tx.

 

[NMTGrad]

Nosler 130 gr E-Tip. Stellar performance from a 270 WSM on a huge scimitar horned oryx and it groups quite well.

 

[MJB]

130gr. Is ideal for the 270 flat shooter for 300yds

 

[rootacres]

Do you reload?

The TTSX is a very good option from Barnes if you're looking for a factory loaded option. The Nosler E Tip probably isnt bad either. Not sure the availability of the new Hornday CMX in factory loaded options, that one might be good too, the BCs look pretty good.

 

[Rangerpants]

Another vote for the 130 gr. TTSX. Only ever recovered one bullet from game and it was picture perfect. Mostly get pass-throughs with plenty of damage.

 

[JasonWi]

130 ttsx has worked amazingly well on multiple deer, antelope, elk and two bighorn sheep from a 270WSM

I load the 140 ttsx in my 7mmRM as I liked the results so well from the 130