Which of the classic calibers in .270, .30-06 or .308 if shooting solid copper only?

[Vern400]

A 270 absolutely IS different. Plenty of case capacity and a touch of overbore. With lead 150 high BC Bullets and a slow burning powder hand loads can match the 6.5 CM trajectory with more punch when you get there.

What you're looking for is velocity, and hands down the 270 edges out the other ones.

And by the way, I'm a fairly dedicated 308 shooter. I'd take a good 270 in a heartbeat.
Just don't short barrel the thoroughbred. Let it run.

 

[SDHNTR]

got all 3 and shoot copper too. I grab whichever one tickles my fancy on any given day. The animals can’t tell a difference. Imo, they can all 3 be used pretty much interchangeably. Which one comes in the gun you like the best?

 

[Yellowknife]

I agree, they probably are similar. I just wanted to see pics of 400yd ttsx.

Here is the argument for speed with copper. All of these were recovered from the off side of various moose. The two on the left were fired from a 30-06 at just 330 yds. Hardly long range.

Muzzle speed was in the 2600 fps range in single digit temps. It took quite a while to bleed out and fall over. I’m in the camp that thinks copper should be kept above 2200 fps for best performance.

The one LRX on the right was at more typical range of 125’ish and is fully expanded. The .338 was at 250 yds and also fully expanded.

A little bit of velocity makes a difference with these types of bullets.

 

[Macintosh]

All of the critters Ive shot with ttsx have been down quickly (antelope, deer and elk with 7mm08 120’s, 3006 150 and 168gr, 6.5cm 120’s), and I like how little it damages the meat compared to most lead bullets. But, none were past 250 yards. However, after reading here it makes perfect sense to me and jives with what I see that copper bullets need a higher impact velocity to expand properly than a lead bullet does. I went over retained velocity in a bunch of cartridges and actually purchased a 270 win barrel last winter specifically to optimize copper bullets with factory ammo. Have not tested on game yet, but depending on the velocity threshold you choose, the 270 has a 50-100-ish yard advantage over most of the other factory-loaded offerings I was considering, while still being very easy to find ammo for. I was shocked at how quickly some cartridges with copper bullets dropped below 2000fps, often at very reasonable ranges, so this was a factor I considered important even though I dont consider myself a long range hunter. It may be overthinking it to a degree, but minimizing the odds of a rodeo when I know the bullets arent as effective at killing quickly seems worthwhile to me. Most of my kills are at short range, but I do want the capability and confidence to take a 400+ yard shot if needed. I’ll be using either ttsx 130’s or lrx 129’s.

 

[sdupontjr]

I use the 130's in 308. Does pretty darn good with a few different loads.

 

[FLS]

I’ll vote for the 130 TTSX out of the 270. It has enough velocity to make monos work. Ive shot a few deer and antelope with that bullet and it worked well. I much prefer a traditional bullet, but if I had to shoot copper, that’s what I would use.

 

[Tod osier]

I have a small pile of recovered 175 LRX fired from a '06 and no matter what Barnes says.... expansion is pretty minimal when you get close to 400 yds. You have to keep "long range" marketing in context with a '06 and copper.

That is really useful info, I haven't shot that bullet and tried to make sure my thought was presented as a guess...

I was considering that bullet in a WSM with a short barrel (don't actually own the rifle, but was planning it as a purchase at some point as a longer range copper rifle and that is a disappointment to hear).

 

[sndmn11]

That is really useful info, I haven't shot that bullet and tried to make sure my thought was presented as a guess...

I was considering that bullet in a WSM with a short barrel (don't actually own the rifle, but was planning it as a purchase at some point as a longer range copper rifle and that is a disappointment to hear).

I had a load worked up with 130ttsx in my 30-06 and a 300wsm that was faster than the 168/175 out to about 500 yds, but never hunted with it. If 130gr doesn't scare you, it might be a fun place to start.

The 25-06 100gr nosler Etip at 3400fps has been alluring in the past.

 

[Tod osier]

I had a load worked up with 130ttsx in my 30-06 and a 300wsm that was faster than the 168/175 out to about 500 yds, but never hunted with it. If 130gr doesn't scare you, it might be a fun place to start.

The 25-06 100gr nosler Etip at 3400fps has been alluring in the past.

I have a .270 that shoots 130 TTSX and 129 LRX quite well, I was looking to best that for wind bucking ability while maintaining enough velocity for expansion with a short barrel.

I load the .308 TTSX in 130s for my son's 308 Win, but it is a slow load at 90 percent max. I just don't see going that direction with the BC of the .308 130 TTSX, it would be fast, but would poop out fast.

 

[sndmn11]

I have a .270 that shoots 130 TTSX and 129 LRX quite well, I was looking to best that for wind bucking ability while maintaining enough velocity for expansion with a short barrel.

I load the .308 TTSX in 130s for my son's 308 Win, but it is a slow load at 90 percent max. I just don't see going that direction with the BC of the .308 130 TTSX.

I think that's the dilemma with monos; by the time drift of a higher bc bullet surpasses a lighter faster one, the bullet is out of enough velocity to upset. It takes a much longer distance for the better bc bullet to catch up trajectory.


Retained velocity of 175lrx ~2180fps


Retained velocity of 130ttsx ~2200fps


Cutting the distance to 300yds gets (in this rifle) the 130ttsx above 2500fps. With the 175lrx the distance has to get to 230yds to stay above 2500fps.

 

[HNTR918]

Would any of these 3 calibers impact your choice if you were trying to find a rifle to shoot solid copper only?

Copper bullets like velocity. So going a little lighter with a good amount of powder helps. 280ai with 140gr or 270 with 130gr or 30-06 with 150gr or less.

 

[Tod osier]

I think that's the dilemma with monos; by the time drift of a higher bc bullet surpasses a lighter faster one, the bullet is out of enough velocity to upset. It takes a much longer distance for the better bc bullet to catch up trajectory.


Retained velocity of 175lrx ~2180fps
View attachment 612585

Retained velocity of 130ttsx ~2200fps
View attachment 612586

Cutting the distance to 300yds gets (in this rifle) the 130ttsx above 2500fps. With the 175lrx the distance has to get to 230yds to stay above 2500fps.

Yes, agreed. I've looked at a bunch of scenarios and it takes a lot to best the .270 win with monos by going heavier. The info on expansion of the 175 LRX sort of put a damper on my enthusiasm for a 30 caliber (plus that is a lot of recoil for me).

 

[SDHNTR]

Hit ‘em in the shoulder and they expand better.

 

[Macintosh]

Thats where the meat is. It may not matter to some but thats very important to me, its inevitable to hit a shoulder once in a while especially on the exit, but Id rather avoid it. For me high neck if its close (neck roasts are among my favorite cut) or lungs (I like heart too).

 

[BjornF16]

Speed rules with copper as stated...however, you really need to be analyzing your expected max distance to evaluate your best option. You really want to keep Barnes bullets above 2200 fps impact if possible

 

[Yellowknife]

Hit ‘em in the shoulder and they expand better.

Of the two lightly expanded bullets shown above, one was in the ribs and the other was through both shoulder blades. No functional difference in upset.

After that performance, I messed with other powders and found a couple that gave me another 100+ fps at the muzzle. But in the end, I just went back to lead for that gun.

Yk

 

[wmr89]

I haven't had experience with copper in the other calibers but I have had great luck with the .270 using the Barnes TTSX 130g.

 

[6mm Remington]

30-06 with 150 gr. or 168 gr. Nosler E-tip

 

[TradLife406]

308 with a Barnes hammers deer dead in their tracks in my experience.

 

[Hunter270Win]

The 129gr LRX bullet in .270 cal might be the best LRX bullet available IMO. 270 is the king of copper