Elk kills with a .270?

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Jul 17, 2019
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I have a Savage 110 chambered in .270 I was just wondering if this is a bad caliber to take to CO for Elk? What ammo do you all use and what is your experience with this caliber in regard to shot placement?
 

Trr15

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Lots of elk have been killed with a .270. Use heavy-for-caliber premium bullets, aim for the pump house and keep shots under 400 yards and you’ll be fine.


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OP
E
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Jul 17, 2019
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It just seems that most people I talk to say that it is not nearly powerful enough. Everyone says go with a .300 but I have my .270 that has barely been used. I typically use Winchester BST's at 130gr and am not sure on what is a safe bet using for Elk.
 

Tradchef

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You’ll be fine. I kill them with a .308 and put em down quick. If you’re comfortable with the gun use it. Don’t get caught up in the bigger is better bullshit. If you are shooting 400 and under as said above you’ll be eating elk. It’s not hard to stay in 100 to 300 yards of an elk. I know guys give me a hard time about the .308 and 7mmag I use but that’s what I’m comfortable with and my freezer stays full and that’s all I care about.
 

kad11

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Marlin XL7 270 with 150 gr Federal el cheapos. 60 and 30 yd shots, but I'd not hesitate to shoot 400 yds and in with good shot placement and quality bullets.

IMG_20170418_215834.jpgIMG_1076.JPG

My buddy has also killed quite a few at 400-500 yds with his wsm shooting 150s...
 
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I would say the .270 is probably one of the more popular calibers for younger hunters who are elk hunting. The recoil is low and it has the power to kill no problem. There is no reason you cant use it for your entire hunting career.
 

TomAZ

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Load it with partitions, Barnes, or other quality bonded bullets and go fill your freezer!


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isu22andy

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Im a long way from the rockies also but I always think its funny when I hear guides talk about "further from the Rockies the bigger the caliber " so true sometimes lol
 

NoWiser

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A .270 is right in the sweet spot for an elk rifle, in my opinion. I prefer Barnes out of mine and have put down everything from antelope to moose with it and have never wished for anything more or less.
 

Darting

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2 years ago my hunting partner harvested an elk with his 700 chambered in 270. Bullet choice and shot placement.
 

JWP58

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I'll do my best to provide insight on this very subject by December. I've got two elk tags in my pocket for Wyo, and I'll be toting a. 270. Based off of my practice out to 600yds (my personal limit on critters), I'm not worried. I'll be shooting 130gr berger vld's, and they swing my 12" steel plate pretty well at 600.

If a 6.5 or 260 is capable, the 270 or even 25-06 are gtg.
 

chasewild

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I think the 270 is a near perfect mountain hunting caliber for traditional yardages...
This.

My great grand dad killed everything with a model 70 .270. Same rifle went to my granpa -- everything from grouse to elk. Then dad -- his garage is wall to wall -- every animal with a .270 (including africa). And now i've done sheep, deer, elk, bear, marmots, coyotes, etc.

There is a reason O'Connor used the .270. It's perfect. 6.5s for the fanboys.
 
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I know a guy who killed a 600 pound blackbear with cor-loks out of one. I would say it should kill an elk easily.
 
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In my opinion people get way too caught up in arguments about what’s a big enough caliber. I’ve seen a lot of elk killed with a 270, go for it man! And post pics when you get it done 🤣
 

1shotgear

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270 is a great caliber for elk I have killed over 30 elk at 350 yards and under. As long as you don't shoot over 500 yards then you should have the energy to knock down any bull elk.
 
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