Elk bullet for a .270

[Beastmode]

I plan on going on my first elk hunt this year. I plan on using my trusty .270 win A-bolt. I'll be using the 130 gr Barnes TSX. The interesting thing to me is, the bullet retains 99% of its weight. So it should penetrate as well as a 150 gr lead bullet but takes maximum advantage of the .270 ballistics due to being 130 gr. Does that sound right to you ballistics guys?

No, while you do have a high muzzle velocity, im shooting them at 3225 out of my 270 wsm, these bullets lack a high bc. They shoot really well but can get finicky at long ranges. My max for elk with these bullets is 400 yards. They start loosing energy fast.

With that said I understand its not a long range gun. These bullets are an excellent choice for big game due to their phenomenal penetration and weight retention. I will try to post pictures of bullets I have pulled out of animals with final weights later.

 

[Warren1726]

No, while you do have a high muzzle velocity, im shooting them at 3225 out of my 270 wsm, these bullets lack a high bc. They shoot really well but can get finicky at long ranges. My max for elk with these bullets is 400 yards. They start loosing energy fast.

With that said I understand its not a long range gun. These bullets are an excellent choice for big game due to their phenomenal penetration and weight retention. I will try to post pictures of bullets I have pulled out of animals with final weights later.

Beast, so do you feel a 140-150 grain that sheds lots of weight upon impact is better at 400 yards than a 130 gr TSX that retains essentially all of its weight? Is the energy of the heavier bullet a good trade off against the speed and penetration of the 130 TSX?

 

[Beastmode]

Warren I depends what you ultimately want. The barnes flys good enough for me out to 600. I will not shoot at an elk that far with it though. The triple shock is an excellent penetrating bullet. If you want penetration stick with this. With a smaller caliber like a 270 penetration is what you need for larger game in my opinion. a 150 grain ballistic tip isn't going to kill if it doesn't make it to the vitals. With a good penetrating bullet it gives you more shot options. On the other side of the spectrum it doesn't cause a lot of damage. You can literally eat to the bullet hole. No exaggeration. There isnt much room for error. So if you don't hit them good you have a long day ahead of you.

I shot my mule deer this year facing away from me slightly @ 300 yards. My 130 grain ttsx went in at the top of his pelvis, went through 5 vertebrae, 2 ribs and finally stopped in the hide in front of the shoulder. I know this is a deer but he had a good body on him. The penetration after going through all that bone was very impressive to me.

Here are some 130 grain ttsx recovery bullets. The they all weigh between 92 grains and 123 grains. The second one in from the bottom was the one I shot the mule deer with in the story above and weighed in at 92 grains. The mushroom broke off and wasn't recovered.

 

[Warren1726]

Thanks beastmode! Great input.

 

[Warren1726]

Warren I depends what you ultimately want. The barnes flys good enough for me out to 600. I will not shoot at an elk that far with it though. The triple shock is an excellent penetrating bullet. If you want penetration stick with this. With a smaller caliber like a 270 penetration is what you need for larger game in my opinion. a 150 grain ballistic tip isn't going to kill if it doesn't make it to the vitals. With a good penetrating bullet it gives you more shot options. On the other side of the spectrum it doesn't cause a lot of damage. You can literally eat to the bullet hole. No exaggeration. There isnt much room for error. So if you don't hit them good you have a long day ahead of you.

I shot my mule deer this year facing away from me slightly @ 300 yards. My 130 grain ttsx went in at the top of his pelvis, went through 5 vertebrae, 2 ribs and finally stopped in the hide in front of the shoulder. I know this is a deer but he had a good body on him. The penetration after going through all that bone was very impressive to me.

Here are some 130 grain ttsx recovery bullets. The they all weigh between 92 grains and 123 grains. The second one in from the bottom was the one I shot the mule deer with in the story above and weighed in at 92 grains. The mushroom broke off and wasn't recovered.

That's cool stuff! That's my thinking too. I use regular old 130 gr core lokt on whitetail and it smashes them. I'm gonna go with the TSX on elk due to the penetration you speak of. Plus, I'm getting sub-moa with them too!